Special Education Teacher Severe Special Needs (McCaul School)

CAPS Collaborative • Leominster, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

CAPS Collaborative is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic special education teacher with severe/profound certification to work in a specialized classroom at McCaul School, located in a public school setting. The staff-to-student ratio ranges from 6:8 to 8:8. The teacher will work closely with related service providers using an embedded therapy model individualized to each student’s needs. Experience with students with severe and multiple disabilities, including medically fragile students, is sought; vocational and behavioral experience is preferred.

The role coordinates, develops, and delivers developmentally appropriate individual learning programs and educational services to support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, health, and well-being. CAPS Collaborative partners with districts to provide high-quality programs and services and to support students’ transition to the least restrictive environment in their home school district.

The position involves substantial interaction with students who may need assistance with mobility, positioning, therapy carryover, personal care, feeding, and other activities of daily living. It also requires working with students who may have behavioral needs and managing exposure to bodily fluids. The teacher trains paraprofessionals in student programs and accommodations and maintains required educational documentation.

Requirements

• Severe/profound special education certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education.
• Appropriate state license or certification.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain a calm, patient demeanor with all students.
• Thorough understanding of special education needs and services.
• Ability to implement a variety of effective teaching methods.
• Thorough understanding of special education policies, laws, and guidelines, including IDEA, IEPs, and 504 plans.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent reading, writing, and mathematical skills.
• Ability to make sound judgments and decisions and deal with people in a variety of situations.
• Ability to exercise universal precautions and tolerate ongoing management of bodily fluids.
• Ability to assist students with physical difficulties and perform physical tasks including kneeling, sitting, standing, crawling, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift and carry classroom objects or equipment at varying weights, and to assist with moving and repositioning students as described in the posting.
• Ability to assist ambulatory students with visual impairments or unsteady movement and to address behavioral issues.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Two years of experience; highly preferred.
• Experience working with students with severe, multiple disabilities, including medically fragile student profiles.
• Vocational and behavioral experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and observe students to identify needs for additional or modified educational services, including academic, behavioral, social, and physical-health needs.
• Identify student needs and develop lesson and teaching plans.
• Develop individualized education programs (IEPs), set learning goals, and make appropriate modifications to lessons and activities.
• Report quarterly on student progress toward IEP goals.
• Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, and team members.
• Develop and teach engaging lessons for small groups and individual students in accordance with IEPs and 504 plans.
• Implement IEPs, conduct follow-up assessments, track student progress, and modify programs as needed.
• Develop and use intervention strategies and behavior intervention plans.
• Ensure programs comply with IDEA and that applicable students receive appropriately modified FAPE.
• Complete and maintain paperwork required by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.
• Attend all IEP meetings.
• Maintain knowledge of special education methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.
• Advocate for students and recognize and celebrate their achievements and successes.
• Train paraprofessionals in student programs, including academic, feeding, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, data collection, equipment use, and technology accommodations.
• Provide individual instruction to students and staff throughout the classroom and school environment.
• Use positioning equipment and assist students with transfers, repositioning, dressing, diaper changes, equipment, therapy carryover, and self-care needs.
• Apply universal precautions and manage exposure to bodily fluids while supporting students.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull classroom equipment and assist with moving students, including pushing wheelchairs on flat surfaces and inclines.
• Assist ambulatory students with visual impairments or unsteady movement and address students’ behavioral needs.
• Assist students daily with activities of daily living.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time