Special Education Teacher (PALS)

Woburn Public Schools•Woburn, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher (PALS 9-12) reports directly to the Director of Student Services, Student Services Coordinators, and Principal of the School. This position is responsible for covering grades 9-12 and is expected to work closely with all school personnel. The role involves creating an inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environment, supporting students with severe intellectual impairments and medical disabilities, and providing individualized and small group instruction. Key responsibilities include managing behavior support plans, collaborating with speech-language pathologists, modifying curricula, and instructing students in daily living activities. The teacher will also evaluate student progress, write IEPs, prepare for alternative assessments, and participate in professional development, including safety training. Collaboration with special education teams, administrators, and parents is essential, as is maintaining accurate student records and adhering to state statutes and district policies. The role also includes overseeing paraprofessional staff.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university required
Current Massachusetts's DESE Certification in Severe Special Needs for corresponding grade levels (5-12)
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

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 Severe students with intellectual impairments and medical disabilities in a safe learning setting.
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 Functional Skills programs and/or Discrete Trial Training programs as appropriate.
Run/chair annual review and IEP progress meetings; participate in evaluation and eligibility meetings as appropriate.
Run consistent behavior support plans, including with the use of token economy and other reinforcement systems as appropriate.
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 (to include diaper changes and toilet training).
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.
Write IEP’s and progress notes using data collection across the academic year.
Plan and prepare MCAS Alternative Assessments, 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.