Teacher (C) - North Central Correctional Institution

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Gardner, MA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

This position involves teaching academic classes such as Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies within a correctional setting. The role requires a strength in ESL, Special Education, and working with low literacy students. The teacher will utilize research-based practices and current instructional methods to ensure effective learning for an adult incarcerated population, who may have medical, psychosocial, or educational deficits. Collaboration with the Education Division and administration staff is essential for delivering specialized instruction in a secure environment. Responsibilities include managing student attendance, updating case plans, awarding Earned Good Time, completing performance ratings, and handling time-sensitive documentation for program completion. The role also involves administering standardized tests, maintaining student education files, tracking Earned Good Time (EGT) for academic boosts, identifying and recruiting potential inmate participants, scheduling students for testing, determining appropriate placement, and assessing eligibility for educational programming. A comprehensive understanding of current educational assessments, DOC policies and procedures, and engaging in Division priorities are expected. Professional interaction and communication with staff and incarcerated individuals, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and reporting security-related matters promptly are crucial. The teacher will manage their classroom according to institutional rules and regulations and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Possession of appropriate Teacher's Certificate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• No felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609.
• Must not have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997.
• Must not have been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse.
• Must not have been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the described sexual activity.
• Must not have engaged in sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with incarcerated individuals or residents.

Nice To Haves

• Strength in ESL, Special Education and low literacy students preferred.
• Ability to teach in a correctional setting and interact with an adult incarcerated population with possible medical, psychosocial, or educational deficits.
• At least a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices in adult education.
• Working knowledge of educational tests and assessments.
• Ability to work with inmates, teaching staff and administration.
• Experience teaching ESL, Special Education and low literacy students.
• Experience teaching adult learners.
• Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Teach academic classes including Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies.
• Utilize research-based practices, current instructional methods, and current materials for effective instruction.
• Teach in a correctional setting and interact with an adult incarcerated population.
• Work with the Education Division and administration staff to deliver specialized instruction in a secure setting.
• Complete student attendance daily and update student case plans as required.
• Award Earned Good Time and complete performance ratings on time each month.
• Complete time sensitive documentation for program completion as directed.
• Complete the required 40 hours of training within the fiscal year.
• Administer standardized testing to students including TABE, TABE CLAS-E, HiSET and HiSET qualifying exams.
• Maintain student education files: perform monthly purge, process incoming and outgoing files, and update inmate educational documentation.
• Track EGT for academic boosts.
• Identify and recruit potential inmate class participants.
• Schedule incarcerated individuals for academic testing and meet with students to determine appropriate placement.
• Determine student eligibility for placement in educational programming.
• Maintain and review educational program waitlists.
• Utilize an informed understanding of current educational assessments to provide educational instruction.
• Maintain a record of professional development and DOC trainings attended.
• Illustrate a comprehensive and current knowledge of DOC policies and procedures.
• Engage in Division priorities to enhance the progression of strategic goals.
• Collaborate with other professionals to contribute to the goals of the Division.
• Interact and communicate with staff and incarcerated individuals in a professional manner while always utilizing appropriate boundaries.
• Report any security related matters to their supervisor promptly.
• Manage their assigned classroom in a manner consistent with institutional rules and regulations.
• Perform any other duties assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level