Special Education Teacher - PACE Program

Wachusett Regional School District•Sterling, MA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Wachusett Regional School District is seeking a Special Education Teacher for the PACE Program at Houghton Elementary School. This role is crucial in enriching the lives of students with moderate to severe disabilities. The PACE Program is a substantially separate classroom designed to address the educational needs of students in social, communication, academic, cognitive development, and adaptive skill development. Students in this program require significant environmental and instructional interventions based on grade-level content and entry points.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field.
Must hold a valid Massachusetts Teaching License for the applicable grade level and subject area.
SEI endorsement required.
Effective communication and collaboration skills with students, families, and colleagues.
Ability to design and implement standards-based lesson plans.
Ability to tailor teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners, including ELLs, students with disabilities, and advanced learners.
Ability to understand and support the social, emotional, and academic challenges of students.
Successful completion of background checks as required by Massachusetts state law and School Committee policies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Previous teaching experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) based on student needs, in compliance with Massachusetts DESE regulations.
Participate in IEP meetings, eligibility meetings, and team meetings as necessary.
Plan, organize, and deliver effective lessons in alignment with Massachusetts state standards and school curriculum.
Adapt lessons to meet individual student needs and learning styles.
Use research-based instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of all learners while implementing all aspects of individual IEPs.
Actively participate in the implementation of the MTSS framework, including monitoring student progress, identifying academic or behavioral challenges, and providing appropriate interventions.
Be available beyond the regular workday to assist students with extra help and support as needed.
Regularly monitor student performance through formative and summative assessments, assignments, student observations, and other tools.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation, including progress reports, evaluations, and data collection.
Provide timely feedback to students and parents.
Establish and maintain a safe, inclusive, and respectful classroom environment that fosters student engagement and promotes academic and behavioral success.
Work with colleagues, administrators, and support staff in Professional Learning Communities to improve instruction using High Quality Instructional Materials and researched-based strategies.
Participate in school-based committees, professional development, and faculty meetings.
Collaborate with general education teachers to support inclusion and co-teaching models when necessary.
Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding student progress, behavior, and any concerns.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences and school events.
Actively pursue professional development to implement innovative instructional practices, integrate emerging technologies, and align with evolving Massachusetts state education policies.