Long-Term Substitute Special Education (ISP) Elementary Teacher (One Year Long SY26-27)

Position: Substitute Teacher - ISP Teacher

Position Type: Temporary Long-Term Substitute   

Department: Special Education

Location: Lowell

Reports to:  Principal Phelan   

THIS IS A LONG TERM SUB POSITION that is expected to end in June 2026.

General Description:

Watertown Public Schools Office of Student Services seeks an exceptional Long-term Special Education Substitute Teacher who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to join our community of teachers, learners, and leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers who desire to serve where their efforts matter.  Watertown Public Schools is a great place for those who seek to work in an environment that supports their creativity and innovation, and respects their skills and abilities as a teacher.  

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates mastery of related subject matter, instructional skills, and resource materials for the course(s) taught. 
• Creates lesson plans aligned with current state and district standards, which drives instruction through formative assessment and differentiation.
• Maintains a safe, organized classroom that supports students’ independent learning, collaboration, and choice. 
• Utilizes a variety of effective instructional and management techniques. 
• Provides a variety of assessments and uses assessments for planning and instruction 
• Provide consistent, immediate feedback to student learning and ask analytical questions that elicit students’ responses that incorporate prior knowledge, life experience, and interests that are directly related to the content objective. 
• Monitor and maintain a positive classroom environment that supports the school-wide behavior expectation in which most students are engaged, incorporates mutual respect, and provides cooperative learning opportunities.
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds. 
• Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain parental information when requested, promptly return phone calls, and answer emails. 
• Participate in appropriate professional activities.
• Participate in extracurricular activities such as social activities, sporting activities, clubs, and student organizations as directed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Core Competencies: Using the Massachusetts Model System for Educators Rubric, priority skills and abilities that all Watertown Public School teachers should possess:

Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment

(Subject Matter Knowledge, Well-Structured Lessons, Curriculum and Planning Indicator, Child and Adolescent Development)

• Demonstrates mastery of and enthusiasm for the content area and the pedagogy it requires
• Can convey a grasp of child development and how students learn
• Designs effective and rigorous standards based units of instruction consisting of well-structured lessons with measurable outcomes.

Teaching All Students

(Meeting Diverse Needs, Student Engagement, Safe Learning Environment)

• Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate equitable, active student participation
• Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community
• Cultural Proficiency 
• Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected

Family and Community Engagement

(Parent/Family Engagement)

• Engages with families and builds collaborative, respectful relationships with them in service of student learning
• Professional Reflection & Collaboration 

Professional Culture

(Reflective Practice, Professional Collaboration)

• Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community.

Qualifications Required:

• B.A/B.S degree in teaching from an accredited institution or related field teaching Massachusetts State certification in teaching in appropriate subject area. 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Must have the ability and proven ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis. Perform all other related work delegated or required to accomplish the objectives of the total school program.
• Knowledge and implementation of relevant technology. 
• Meet professional teacher education requirements of school, district, and state. 
• Experience in Special Education setting

Pay Breakdown:

• Per Diem Daily Rate Days 1-30:  $145/Per diem for licensed candidates
• Per Diem Daily Rate after 30 days: $382.56/ Per diem with retroactive payment (equivalent to BA Step 1 on Salary Scale)
• Rate for 91-184 Days - Individual Contractual Per diem rate based on the Unit A salary scale

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Salary : $383