Therapeutic High School Teacher - Individualized, 1:1 Instruction

Shore Educational Collaborative•Cambridge, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Shore Educational Collaborative is hiring a Therapeutic Special Education Teacher for its Harbors program in Cambridge. The role supports high school students with disabilities in a therapeutic educational program designed around their individualized academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. The teacher provides individualized or small-group instruction to help students re-engage with education after significant gaps, often related to school avoidance or mental health concerns. Student schedules may vary, and the program places significant emphasis on community coaching. Harbors uses flexible schedules and learning modalities to help students take ownership of learning through their interests. Schedules and educational paths are developed collaboratively with each student’s team and revisited regularly to increase engagement while aligning with district requirements and student interests. The program uses experience-based learning to develop academic, personal, college-readiness, and career-readiness skills. Through community-based coaching, therapeutic support, and individualized instruction, students build knowledge, confidence, and practical experience. Teachers in this program are expected to teach all subjects. Shore Educational Collaborative was established in 1975 as one of 24 educational collaboratives in Massachusetts. It provides public special education to students with disabilities. More than 200 students aged 3–22 attend its school in Chelsea, receiving comprehensive education and related services. The organization’s core values are educate, enrich, and inspire, and it emphasizes respect, integrity, accountability, compassion, collaboration, and a diverse and inclusive community. The salary range is $63,696.50 to $123,531, commensurate with experience and education. Teachers in Educational Collaboratives participate in the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System. School staff who may be expected to manage behavior must obtain and maintain certification in Shore’s approved behavioral safety training program, such as Safety Care or equivalent.

Requirements

Strong prior teaching experience.
A flexible, collaborative, and innovative mindset around education.
Strong classroom management, relationship-building, and communication skills.
Openness to project-based, experiential, or therapeutic learning approaches.
Current DESE licensure in Moderate Disabilities is strongly preferred; candidates with other DESE licensure (High School) who are willing to pursue the appropriate licensure will also be considered.
Staff who may be expected to manage behavior must obtain and maintain certification in Shore’s approved behavioral safety training program (Safety Care or equivalent).

Nice To Haves

Experience working with students with social-emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health challenges.
Experience with project-based, experiential, or therapeutic learning environments.
Current DESE licensure in Moderate Disabilities.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction adapted to students’ academic and social-emotional needs in a therapeutic setting.
Identify students’ strengths, needs, and interests to create meaningful and motivating learning experiences.
Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs), including instructional modifications, accommodations, progress monitoring, and data collection.
Differentiate instruction for small-group and individualized learning environments and support students with a wide range of learning profiles and behavioral needs.
Use trauma-informed, restorative, and therapeutic classroom practices to create a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
Establish and maintain classroom systems and behavioral supports that promote emotional regulation, engagement, and positive peer interactions.
Collaborate regularly with related service providers, families, and school staff to ensure student needs are met consistently across settings.
Support students in developing executive functioning, self-advocacy, communication, and future-readiness skills.
Develop opportunities for experiential, project-based, and community-connected learning that increase engagement and real-world application of skills.
Complete and maintain required documentation in compliance with local, state, and federal special education regulations.
Maintain knowledge of current special education practices, therapeutic approaches, and instructional strategies through ongoing professional development.
Celebrate student growth, achievements, and milestones while fostering a classroom culture grounded in dignity, belonging, and high expectations.
Teach all subjects in the program.
Obtain and maintain certification in Shore’s approved behavioral safety training program if expected to manage behavior.