Special Start Teacher, Preschool, (11 months), OSS

Position: Special Start Teacher, Preschool, (11 months)

Office of Student Services

Special Start Program:

Cambridge Public Schools Special Start Program provides special education services and programs for children with a wide range of disabilities. The program is designed to partner with caregivers to provide appropriate screening, evaluation, and special education services to young children. Children with disabilities are assigned to classrooms through the Special Education Team Evaluation Process and receive Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

The Office of Student Services:

The Office of Student Services (OSS) is responsible for providing a variety of supports and services to students in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Our programs are dedicated to ensuring equitable access  and success for students with disabilities and students who have advanced learning needs. 

The Opportunity:

The Office of Student Services is seeking an experienced Special Start Teacher who provides systematic, explicit, and individualized instruction to preschool-aged students in both integrated and substantially separate classroom settings. Using a play-based approach and the Focus Curriculum, teachers adapt instruction to support each child’s developmental growth, communication, social-emotional functioning, behavioral needs, and academic readiness in alignment with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Teachers implement research-based instructional and behavioral strategies, integrate technology to support student engagement and learning, and create inclusive classroom environments that foster the development of social, play, language, and early learning skills.

The Special Start Teacher collaborates closely with families, related service providers, paraprofessionals, general education staff, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated and individualized support for students. Responsibilities include developing and implementing IEPs, writing measurable goals and objectives, facilitating team meetings, administering and interpreting formal and informal assessments, monitoring student progress through data collection, and maintaining accurate and confidential student records in compliance with state and federal special education regulations.

This role also includes supporting student inclusion opportunities, partnering with related service providers to facilitate whole-class motor, sensory, and language-based activities, supervising and evaluating paraprofessionals, and maintaining ongoing communication with families through conferences, progress reports, and collaborative planning. Teachers are expected to participate in professional development and curriculum planning activities and may be required to support students with toileting needs and perform other related duties as assigned.

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Special Start Teacher, Preschool, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Special Education required. 
• Required MA Certification: Moderate/Severe Disabilities 
• Willingness to be trained and certified in SafetyCare.
• Proven experience in early childhood
• Collaborate closely with the program lead and behavior specialist for this subseparate classroom
• Excellent understanding of the principles of child development and preschool educational methods, including supporting students with significant disabilities.
• Knowledge and/or experience with (AAC) Augmentative & Alternative Communication (moderate to high technology) 
• Fully Knowledgeable in the IEP process. 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with families, staff, and administrators.
• Experience in facilitating professional development and providing feedback to staff.
• Ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team.

How to Join Our Team: 

Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.