Special Education Teacher – Therapeutic Learning Center (Grades 3-5)

Brookline Public Schools • Brookline, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Ruffin Ridley School is seeking a long-term substitute Special Education Teacher for its Grades 3-5 Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC). The TLC is an in-district, inclusion-based special education program designed to meet the academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of students with identified emotional disabilities. The program offers a highly specialized, intensive, and structured inclusion-based experience, ensuring students receive the necessary clinical and educational supports to access their education effectively. The ideal candidate will be dedicated, trauma-informed, and skilled in balancing rigorous academic instruction with therapeutic interventions. This role requires close collaboration with clinical staff, general education teachers, families, and district special education leadership to implement care coordination and support students who have historically experienced pervasive social/emotional challenges and difficulty engaging in traditional classroom settings.

Requirements

• Valid Massachusetts DESE Certification in Special Education (Moderate or Severe Disabilities) required.
• SEI Certification
• Belief in the school's mission and core values.
• Demonstrated experience working with elementary-aged students (specifically upper elementary, grades 3-5) with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed care and therapeutic instructional practices.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and apply data to monitor clinical and academic supports with fidelity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to foster strong relationships with families and multi-disciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Strong crisis management and de-escalation skills (SafetyCare, CPI, or similar certification preferred, training available).

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver highly structured, modified, and accommodated academic instruction aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for students in grades 3-5.
• Integrate competencies, goals, and objectives into lesson plans.
• Utilize curricula that reflect the diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of the students served.
• Infuse classroom instruction and daily routines with therapeutic and trauma-informed practices to support students with emotional impairments.
• Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Utilize evidence-based de-escalation strategies to ensure the safety of the student and others.
• Serve as the primary case manager for a caseload of students.
• Write robust Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and track data with fidelity.
• Support students in navigating the inclusion-based model, bridging the gap between the specialized program and general education settings to maximize student success.
• Partner actively with school psychologists, BCBAs, counselors, and families/caregivers.
• Facilitate open communication regarding student progress, clinical supports, and care coordination.
• Act as a resource and consultant for staff in building an understanding of how to support students utilizing therapeutic strategies.

Benefits

• BEU, UNIT A, Teacher contract terms
• All employees must be vaccinated and maintain full vaccination as a condition of employment or work as an on-site vendor/contractor, unless they receive approval for a documented medical or religious exemption in accordance with relevant state and/or federal law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed