Special Education Teacher (RISE Program)

Special Education RISE Program Teacher

Joyce Middle School 

 The Special Education RISE Program Teacher reports directly to the Director of Special Education and Principal of the School, and is expected to work closely with all school personnel. This position will cover grades 6-8 working primarily with students who have severe disabilities.  

Responsibilities: 

• Create a welcoming, inclusive, culturally responsive classroom environment that is conducive to student’s learning and their ability to comfortably share their authentic selves.
• Support students with Moderate to Severe students with intellectual impairments or Autism Spectrum Disorder in a safe learning setting.
• Provide individual and small group instruction to students in both the Special Education and the General Education settings, as appropriate.
• Teach transition periods as required
• Support students in maintaining safe behaviors across settings, including the use of blocking and reinforcement procedures as well as physical restraint, as needed.
• Run Functional Skills programs and/or Discrete Trial Training programs as appropriate.
• Run/chair annual review and IEP progress meetings; participate in evaluation and eligibility meetings as appropriate.
• Run consistent behavior support plans, including with the use of token economy and other reinforcement systems as appropriate.
• Support students with significant communication challenges, including within the use of Assistive and Augmentative Communication Systems as well as lower technology systems such as PECS or basic sign language, in consultation with the Speech and Language Pathologist.
• Design and implement modifications to school curricula, differentiated instruction, and positive behavior support programs as needed.
• Support and instruct students with activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, and toileting.
• Evaluate student abilities and progress through a variety of formal and informal assessments, including to determine special education eligibility; monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Write IEP’s and progress notes using data collection across the academic year.
• Plan and prepare MCAS Alternative Assessments, as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities, to include Safety-Care training.
• Participate in collaborative consultation with special education teams, including service providers as well as Administrators. 
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by law and district policies.
• Maintain and build relationships and communication pathways with parents and other community liaisons.
• Abide by state statutes, school committee policies, regulations, and WPS Employee Handbook.
• Attend all required meetings and perform duties as assigned by the Special Education Director and Building Administrator(s).
• Oversee paraprofessional staff in supporting students and in data collection and entry.
• All other duties as required by the Principal or WPS Administration.

 Qualifications & Skill Set:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university required; Master’s degree preferred
• Required Licensure: Current Massachusetts's DESE Certification in Moderate Special Needs for corresponding grade levels (5-12); Severe License preferred
• DESE Transition Specialist endorsement preferred
• Experience working in a diverse educational setting, including the ability to work successfully with students, colleagues, and families from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Competence with technology tools and platforms, including Google applications

Terms of Employment: As outlined in the Agreement Between The Woburn Teachers’ Association and The Woburn School Committee.

At the Woburn 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, Woburn Public Schools continues to be an Equal Opportunity Employer  and a district member of Mass Partnership for Diversity in Education 

Salary : $63,245 - $114,265