Special Education Teacher Severe Special Needs (McCaul School)

CAPS Collaborative•Leominster, MA

6d•$55,500 - $108,000•Onsite

About The Position

CAPS Collaborative is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic special education teacher with severe/profound certification to join its educational team at McCaul School. The role serves students with severe and multiple disabilities, including medically fragile student profiles. The staff-to-student ratio ranges from 6:8 to 8:8. The classroom is located in a public school and uses an embedded therapy model individualized to each student's needs, requiring close collaboration with related service providers. Vocational and behavioral experience is preferred. The teacher coordinates, develops, and delivers developmentally appropriate individual learning programs and educational services that support students' academic, social, and emotional growth, health, and well-being. The teacher assesses student needs, develops and implements IEPs and related teaching plans, monitors and reports progress, and ensures appropriate educational services and compliance with applicable special education requirements. The role also includes training paraprofessionals, advocating for students, collaborating with families and staff, and assisting students with instruction, therapy carryover, mobility, and activities of daily living. The position involves substantial physical activity and direct personal care. Duties include walking and moving around the school, bending, squatting, kneeling, positioning and repositioning students, assisting with equipment and self-care, and managing exposure to bodily fluids. The teacher may lift or move classroom equipment and students, push or pull wheelchairs, assist students with mobility and behavioral needs, and respond physically to emergencies. The role also requires periods of computer work to complete paperwork.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Special Education.
Appropriate state license or certification.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain a calm, patient demeanor with students.
Thorough understanding of special education needs and services.
Ability to implement a variety of effective teaching methods.
Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education, 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 meet the described physical demands, including standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, crawling, pushing, pulling, lifting, positioning students, and assisting with students' physical needs.
Ability to exercise universal precautions and tolerate ongoing management of bodily fluids.

Nice To Haves

Vocational experience.
Behavioral experience.
Master's degree in Special Education.
Two years of experience; highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess and observe students to identify academic, behavioral, social, developmental, and physical needs.
Identify student needs and develop related lesson and teaching plans.
Develop individualized education programs (IEPs), establish learning goals, and make appropriate modifications.
Plan and organize activities and lessons according to each student's abilities and needs.
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 that meet IEP and 504 plan specifications.
Implement IEPs, conduct ongoing or follow-up assessments, track progress, and modify instruction as needed.
Develop and use intervention strategies and behavior intervention plans.
Ensure programs comply with IDEA and provide applicable students with appropriately modified FAPE.
Develop, 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 celebrate their achievements and successes.
Maintain professional and effective interactions with students in the teacher's care.
Train paraprofessionals in student programs, including academic, feeding, therapy carryover, data collection, equipment use, and technology accommodations.
Provide individual instruction to students and staff throughout the classroom and school environment.
Position students using equipment such as standers, bolsters, wedges, sidelyers, therapy balls, and Tumbleforms.
Change and dress or redress students, assist with self-care, and put on or remove prescribed equipment such as body jackets, AFOs, braces, and splints.
Carry out therapy carryover skills with students.
Use universal precautions and manage routine exposure to bodily fluids and related care needs.
Lift and carry classroom objects or equipment and lift or move students for repositioning as required.
Push and pull students in wheelchairs on flat surfaces and inclines.
Assist ambulatory students with visual impairments or unsteady movement and address student behavioral issues.
Assist students daily with activities of daily living.
Perform other related duties as assigned.