Special Education Teacher – YACHT Program

Position Title: Special Education Teacher – YACHT Program (18–22 Transition)

Location: Ipswich High School

Reports To: Building Principal

FTE: 1.0 (Full-Time, 10-Month Position)

Start Date: August 31, 2026

About the YACHT Program

The Young Adult Community and Career Home Management Training Academy (YACHT) is a specialized transition program for young adults aged 18 to 22 who continue to receive services under the IDEA. The program focuses entirely on preparing young adults for life beyond the public school system through intensive community work experiences, functional academics, independent living skill development, and self-advocacy training.

Position Overview

Ipswich Public Schools is seeking a dedicated, forward-thinking Special Education Transition Teacher to lead our YACHT Program for young adults (ages 18–22). The ideal candidate will have expertise in post-secondary transition planning, a passion for community-based instruction, and the collaborative skills necessary to bridge the gap between high school and adult life for individuals with diverse learning profiles.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Transition Instruction: Teach young adults specific functional strategies to maximize independence, including daily living skills, money management, functional literacy, and safety in the community.
• Vocational & Community Training: Coordinate and oversee community work experiences and job training sites; teach expanded core curriculum and vocational skills directly in real-world settings.
• Collaboration with Behavioral Teams: Partner closely with BCBAs and RBTs to design, modify, and implement individualized and group programming that supports behavioral success in community and workplace settings.
• IEP & Transition Planning: Lead IEP meetings, author comprehensive, compliance-driven Transition Plans, track student data, and complete quarterly progress reports within state-mandated timelines.
• Assessment: Complete and submit MCAS-Alt Portfolios tailored to secondary/transition-age standards.
• Agency & Family Collaboration: Act as a liaison between families, school personnel, and adult service agencies to ensure a seamless handoff upon the student's graduation or 22nd birthday.
• Meetings: Attend departmental, school-wide, and district-wide professional meetings.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Massachusetts DESE teaching license
• Strong understanding of the specific developmental, social, and emotional needs of young adults (ages 18–22).
• Demonstrated knowledge of a wide range of disabilities and complex learning profiles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in utilizing technology to support independence, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

• Strong understanding of Massachusetts special education regulations, transition compliance standards, laws, and the adult guardianship process.
• Prior experience collaborating with post-secondary state agencies (e.g., Department of Developmental Services - DDS, MassHire, MRC).
• Understanding of and experience utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles in community or vocational settings.
• Current SafetyCare Training certification preferred.

Salary : $66,684 - $111,308