25-26 Special Education Teacher – Somerville Kennedy Intensive Program (SKIP)

General Description:   The Special Education teacher in the Somerville Public Schools (SPS) maintains the safety, care, and wellbeing of the students that they are charged with. They understand child and youth development and provide opportunities for learning and social and emotional development following the standards, scope, and sequence of grade level and content areas. The Special Education teacher in SPS holds high expectations for every student and strives to know each student’s unique learning strengths and needs. The Special Education teacher uses differentiated instruction strategies to ensure equitable and meaningful access to the curriculum and learning for all students.

The SKIP Special Education teacher is responsible for the classroom and/or specific learning environment including planning, preparation, and organization of instructional materials for delivery of the curriculum. This severe special education classroom (sometimes called a self-contained classroom for students with severe disabilities) is designed to meet the unique needs of students with significant cognitive, physical, medical, or multiple disabilities. These classrooms are highly structured and individualized to support both academic and functional life skills. The Special Education teacher collaborates with other educators (Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), counselors, etc.) and communicates on an ongoing basis with all adults who share responsibility for their students’ learning. The Special Education teacher establishes a relationship with the parents and caregivers of their students and maintains two-way communication about progress in learning and social development. 

209-day work year

Scheduled School Year: 184 days

Additional work days: 25 days outside of the regular school year which would include SPED Summer School Programs.

Qualifications:

• Appropriate Department of Elementary and Secondary Educator's license in the field or subject for this position DESE 
• SEI endorsement Required 
• Bilingual Educator Preferred
• Experience in teaching severe special needs students Preferred 

Responsibilities Include:

• Plans units and lessons and delivers instruction aligned to State standards and district curriculum. Academic content is significantly modified, often focusing on functional academics and life skills.
• Emphasis on: Communication (e.g., Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, PECS), self-care and hygiene (toilet training), mobility and motor skills, social and emotional skills, and daily living tasks (e.g., following routines, toileting, meals, recreation, community exposure).
• Provides ongoing formative and summative assessments and analyzes assessment data in order to determine learning needs of students. 
• Adapts curriculum and instruction to teach all students according to their varied learning strengths and needs. 
• Establishes and maintains culturally responsive and two-way communication with parents, guardians, and caregivers. 
• Collaborates with other educators for the delivery of specialized instruction and/or social and emotional support according to students’ needs. 
• Follows the guidance and direction of the School Principal and other school and district administrators to maintain a safe, welcoming, culturally affirming, and equitable learning environment. 
• Participates in professional growth opportunities, reflects on current practices, and incorporates new methodologies into instructional planning and delivery. 
• Use of communication devices, adaptive furniture, sensory tools, or mobility aids depending on student needs.
  Technology integrated to enhance accessibility and learning.
• Data-Driven instruction and progress monitoring with frequent tracking of student progress on IEP goals. Use of data to adjust teaching strategies and supports.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Principal/Supervisor and in accordance with the SEU Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Reports to:  School Principal and Director of Special Education

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.