Language-Based Learning Center Teacher grades 6-8

Job Description: The middle school Language and Academic Home Base (LAHB) program at the Michael Driscoll School is a district-wide program for students with a Specific Learning Disability in Reading (dyslexia). Students in the program receive daily Orton Gillingham instruction, daily small group English Language Arts instruction, and academic support for content areas in the LAHB classroom. Students are supported in other content classes by the LAHB special education teacher or a trained paraprofessional.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Planning and providing small group, specialized instruction primarily in the areas of reading (decoding, encoding, fluency, comprehension) and writing. Please note that reading services will include systematic instruction in decoding/encoding using OrtonGillingham.
• Providing academic support in additional content areas using language-based instructional strategies.
• Working collaboratively with general education teachers to ensure appropriate accommodations and modifications are provided in the general education setting.
• Working directly with students in the general education setting.
• Fostering strong home/school communication.
• Conducting academic testing for initial evaluations and reevaluations as well as mid-year and end of year assessments of all LAHB students.
• Writing IEPs (for annual reviews, initial evaluations and reevaluations).
• Presenting evaluation reports and findings in IEP meetings.
• Writing and presenting progress reports.
• Consulting to other middle school teachers across the district around students who may have similar needs.

Additional Duties:

• Attend department meetings.
• Participate with colleagues as a contributing member of the school community and contribute to school effectiveness.
• Be actively involved in professional development (i.e. courses, workshops and in-service training) in order to be current in new methods and approaches in special education as well as to expand knowledge of the general education curriculum for students receiving services.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Building Principal or Director of Special Education.

Reports to: Building Principal and Director of Special Education

Requirements:

• Current MA DESE Licensure in mild/moderate special needs
• SEI Endorsement
• Certification in Orton Gillingham or another systematic phonemic approach to reading instruction

The Public Schools of Brookline is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute through their teaching or practice to the diversity and excellence of the PSB community.

The Public Schools of Brookline is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.