26-27 Teacher / Counselor - Science & Math

Somerville Public Schools • Somerville, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Next Wave / Full Circle (NWFC) is seeking a Math/Science Teacher to join a small, close-knit therapeutic alternative school within Somerville Public Schools. This position combines direct instruction in mathematics and science with service as a Teacher/Counselor - a caseload advisor who builds a lasting, trusting relationship with a small group of students and supports their academic, social, and emotional growth from the point of referral through graduation. The ideal candidate is a skilled, flexible content-area teacher who is equally invested in relationship-building, restorative practice, and providing holistic support to students in a dynamic, student-centered setting.

Requirements

• Massachusetts DESE licensure in Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
• Massachusetts DESE licensure in Mathematics (5-12) and/or Science (5-12)
• DESE SEI endorsement
• Experience or strong interest in working with students in a therapeutic, alternative, or high-support educational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with students and maintain consistency and de-escalation strategies.
• Familiarity with restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed approaches, or willingness to be trained.
• Strong communication skills, including experience or comfort serving as a liaison between families and school staff.

Nice To Haves

• Required Bilingual Educator Preferred

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned math and/or science instruction to middle and high school students with a range of academic and social-emotional needs.
• Adapt curriculum, pacing, and materials to support access for students with IEPs and other individualized learning needs, in coordination with special education staff.
• Track and communicate student progress and grades, connecting classroom learning to students' post-secondary pathways and goals.
• Participate in academic progress monitoring, including use of the school's gradebook and progress-tracking systems.
• Engage in a whole school competency-based grading system to track soft skills for students as they progress towards graduation.
• Serve as the primary Teacher/Counselor for an assigned caseload of students (approximately 8 counselees), maintaining that relationship through 8th grade or through graduation.
• Lead a daily morning check-in and a counseling group that meets three times per week, covering individual check-ins, goal setting, team building, and celebrating student success.
• Conduct one-to-one academic conferencing with counselees to check progress and align coursework with students' interests and post-secondary plans.
• Help counselees understand graduation requirements, post-secondary pathways, and their progress toward mastering required skills and competencies.
• Serve as the point-of-contact and liaison between counselees' parents/adult supporters and their subject teachers, clinical counselors, and guidance staff.
• Establishes and maintains culturally responsive and two-way communication with parents/adult supporters.
• Participates in professional growth opportunities, reflects on current practices, and incorporates new methodologies into instructional planning and delivery.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Principal/Supervisor and in accordance with the SEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefits

• Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the Somerville Educators Union, Unit A collective bargaining agreement and the policies of the Somerville School Committee.

What This Job Offers

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