Special Education Teacher (RISE II Program)

Woburn Public Schools•Woburn, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education RISE Program Teacher reports directly to the Director of Special Education, Special Education Coordinator, and Principal of the School, and is expected to work closely with all school personnel. This role involves creating a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment conducive to student learning and their ability to comfortably share their authentic selves. The teacher will support students with Moderate to Severe Autism Spectrum and Communication Disorders, providing individual and small group instruction in both Special Education and General Education settings. Responsibilities include supporting students in maintaining safe behaviors, running Discrete Trial Training programs, implementing behavior support plans, and assisting students with communication challenges using various assistive technologies. The teacher will also design and implement curriculum modifications, differentiated instruction, and positive behavior support programs, and assist students with daily living activities. Evaluation of student abilities and progress through formal and informal assessments is crucial, as is monitoring progress and adjusting instruction. The role involves chairing annual review and IEP progress meetings, participating in evaluation and eligibility meetings, and writing IEPs and progress notes. Planning and preparing MCAS Alternative Assessment Portfolios, participating in ongoing professional development (including Safety-Care training), and collaborating with special education teams and service providers are also key duties. Maintaining accurate student records, building relationships with parents and community liaisons, and adhering to state statutes and district policies are required. The teacher will attend all required meetings, oversee paraprofessional staff, and perform other duties as assigned by administration.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university required
Current Massachusetts's DESE Certification in Moderate Disabilities
Experience working in a diverse educational setting, including the ability to work successfully with students, colleagues, and families from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Competence with technology tools and platforms, including Google applications

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Severe Licensure preferred
Dual certified special educator and BCBA desired but not required

Responsibilities

Create a welcoming, inclusive, culturally responsive classroom environment that is conducive to student’s learning and their ability to comfortably share their authentic selves.
Support students with Moderate to Severe Autism Spectrum and Communication Disorders.
Provide individual and small group instruction to students in both the Special Education and the General Education settings, as appropriate.
Support students in maintaining safe behaviors across settings, including the use of blocking and reinforcement procedures as well as physical restraint, as needed.
Run Discrete Trial Training programs under the supervision of the BCBA.
Run consistent behavior support plans, including with the use of token economy and other reinforcement systems.
Support students with significant communication challenges, including within the use of Assistive and Augmentative Communication Systems as well as lower technology systems such as PECS or basic sign language, in consultation with the Speech and Language Pathologist.
Design and implement modifications to school curricula, differentiated instruction, and positive behavior support programs, as needed.
Support and instruct students with activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, and toileting, as needed.
Evaluate student abilities and progress through a variety of formal and informal assessments, including to determine special education eligibility; monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
Run/chair annual review and IEP progress meetings; participate in evaluation and eligibility meetings as appropriate.
Write IEPs and progress notes using data collection across the academic year.
Plan and prepare MCAS Alternative Assessment Portfolios, as needed.
Participate in ongoing professional development activities, to include Safety-Care training, including the use of physical restraint.
Participate in collaborative consultation with special education teams, including service providers as well as Administrators.
Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by law and district policies.
Maintain and build relationships and communication pathways with parents and other community liaisons.
Abide by state statutes, school committee policies, regulations, and WPS Employee Handbook.
Attend all required meetings and perform duties as assigned by the Special Education Director and Building Administrator(s).
Oversee paraprofessional staff in supporting students and in data collection and entry.
All other duties as required by the Principal or WPS Administration.