District-Wide Early Contract Hiring Pool (SY26-27): Special Education Teacher

The Providence Public School District (PPSD) seeks individuals interested in Special Education positions for the 2026-2027 school year. By submitting your application to this posting, you will be pre-screened by our Human Resources team and have the opportunity to interview with school-based leaders and district hiring managers. Those who are selected as priority candidates will receive an early hiring contract, contingent on completion of licensure and background check requirements, and will be guaranteed a position in SY26-27. Candidates who receive an Early Hiring Contract must also apply to school-based positions for which they are interested and eligible once they are posted in early March.

By applying to this position, you are demonstrating a commitment to PPSD and to our students, and your application materials will be available to all school leaders who have openings for the upcoming school year. This will enable school leaders to reach out to interested candidates prior to the official district posting of jobs in March 2026.

Who We Are

• The Providence Public School District (PPSD) serves approximately 22,000 students attending our 37 schools. PPSD employs more than 3,200 professionals who work in and provide support to our schools, which include 21 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 9 high schools and 2 public district charter schools. Of our employees, approximately 2,000 are educators, and more than 600 others directly support students and families in our schools.
• Our schools are diverse learning communities. Approximately 68% of our students are Latinx, 15% Black, 6.5% White, 4% Asian, 5.5% Multi-racial and 1% Native American. Approximately 31% of students are multilingual learners, and about 16% of students receive special education services. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin.

The Rhode Island Right to Read Act was passed in July of 2019 and requires educators to exhibit either proficiency in or awareness of the knowledge and practices of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. Please be advised that this position requires completion of proficiency or awareness (depending on assignment) within one year of hire.

Job Description: 

Under direction of the school principal and/or appropriate supervisor/Administrator and Consistent with the Providence Public Schools’ vision and mission, the Special Education teacher is to work in partnership with parents, students, and the general education teachers to promote student achievement. If you work in a Special Education Alternate role (Severe Intellectual Disability), this role is to work in partnership with parents, students, classroom support staff, related service providers and the general education teachers to promote student achievement for students. This includes, but is not limited to, instructing functional daily living skills, coordinating services for students with moderate to severe language, learning, behavioral and/or social skills deficient consistent with their Individual Educational Programs (IEP), and educating children with disabilities who are diagnosed with a number of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

Additionally, Special Education Teacher will:

• Provide daily instruction based on the RI State Standards, the Providence School District Curriculum, and student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).  
• Implement, develop and case manage their students’ services and IEPs in accordance with State and Federal Regulations.

Additionally, Special Education Alternate (Severe Intellectual Disability) roles will:

• Work with legally required federal paperwork with the Providence School District Curriculum and student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), that outlines the necessary supports, accommodations and goals for an individual child; These goals can encompass both academic and behavioral concerns.
• Complete the necessary transition assessments, services and supports for the children in their classrooms.
• Complete all of the necessary reporting and implementation for the R.I. Alternate Assessment.
• Direct meetings with parents and staff regarding the planning and making of necessary adjustments throughout the year.
• Work with children who can vary from moderate to severe and profound disabilities, using specialized techniques to help them reach their goals.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in the applicable field of education from an accredited college or university.

RIDE Certification Requirements:

• Early Childhood PK-3 and Early Childhood Special Education Birth-3

and/or

• Elementary Education Teacher, Grades KG-6 and Elementary Special Education Teacher, Grades KG-8

and/or

• Secondary Grades Special Education Teacher, Grades 6-12

and/or

• All Grades Severe Intellectual Disability (this is for Alternate roles)

Qualifications:

• Fully-certified as described above in "RIDE requirements" or willingness to become fully certified including on an emergency basis if necessary (fully-certified strongly preferred).
• You must complete the new hire compliance training prior to your first day of employment.
• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check. Selected candidates cannot begin work until passing their background check.
• Excellent technology skills including
• familiarity with communication, presentation, and data management tools and applications in desktop, web-based, and mobile environments.
• willingness and ability to model information, communication, technology, and media literacy for students, colleagues, parents, and community.
• willingness and ability to continuously develop and evolve new skills and support colleagues in the development of their skills.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer appropriate district curriculum which is aligned with the Rhode Island State Standards.
2. Provide specially designed instruction to students with disabilities in various settings aligned to goals and objectives of the students’ IEPs.
3. Work and teach collaboratively with the general education teachers and paraprofessionals utilizing the co-teaching model, sharing planning and instructional responsibility for all students to create the least restrictive environment.
4. Develop and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities within regulatory timelines.
5. Complete quarterly progress reports per RI Regulations and ensure that the goals and objectives of their students’ IEPs are implemented.
6. Ensure the opportunity for all students to learn in a supportive environment.
7. Create and maintain a positive, orderly, and academically focused learning condition in the instructional environment.
8. Provide a classroom management/discipline plan ensuring safety at all times.
9. Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans as identified by student need.
10. Integrate technology into the instructional program.
11. Provide individual and group interventions to students in the Response to Intervention Process.
12. Implement scientifically-based instruction to support the unique academic, social, and behavioral needs of students as appropriate.
13. Collect, administer and report progress monitoring data for all student goals.
14. Adhere to federal, state, and local mandates in special education.
15. Schedule and case manage three (3) year re-evaluations for students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal regulations.
16. Ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.
17. Conduct, implements and develops alternate assessments consistent with RIDE regulations
18. Participate in district and school-based professional development activities.
19. Maintain a web based portfolio and outcomes data on all of the children assigned to the pre-k class (if applicable).
20. Develop and provide daily, authentic pre-k learning experiences aligned with the RI Early Learning Standards for all students (if applicable).
21. Participate in timely data input services for Medicaid billing, utilize the web-based IEP system, and participate in the time studies for administrative Medicaid claiming as scheduled.
22. Utilize positive behavioral supports as appropriate
23. Work professionally with administrators, staff, parents, and community.
24. Develop a classroom climate that promotes positive learning conditions
25. Provide differentiated, developmentally appropriate pre-k learning experiences aligned with the RI Early Learning Standards (if applicable).
26. Provide and implement appropriate accommodations for all types of formal assessments.
27. Perform other duties as assigned.