Special Education Teacher - Swampscott Elementary School Sy26/27

Special Education Teacher (Full-Time, Permanent)

Swampscott Public Schools | Location: Swampscott, MA

Position Overview

The Swampscott Public Schools district seeks a dedicated and compassionate Special Education Teacher to join a community committed to academic excellence, equity, and social-emotional growth. In this role, you will design and implement specialized instruction for students with disabilities—specifically those with Autism (Level 1 or 2), ADHD, or neurological disabilities. Because our students thrive on stability and routine, punctuality and consistent, reliable attendance are essential to this role.

Guided by the district’s C.O.R.E. values (Community, Opportunity, Respect, and Equity), you will foster an inclusive environment that utilizes student interests to drive engagement. You will serve as a vital link in the school community, collaborating closely with general education colleagues and modeling best practices to ensure every student is prepared for success.

Essential Functions

Instruction & Inclusion

• Specialized Instruction: Deliver high-quality instruction and curriculum development tailored to students with Autism, ADHD, and neurological disabilities, creatively weaving student interests into academic topics.
• General Education Collaboration: Partner and collaborate daily with general education teachers to co-plan, modify curriculum, and ensure the successful implementation of accommodations within the inclusion setting.
• Social Skills Development: Facilitate social skills groups and utilize incidental teaching techniques to support social-emotional growth and peer interactions.

Student Behavior Management & Safety

• Behavior Management: Lead comprehensive student behavior management by establishing clear, consistent boundaries with positive energy and high expectations.
• Behavior Support Plans: Implement formal behavior support plans and collect rigorous data to inform progress, adjust interventions, and drive student success.
• De-escalation & Coaching: Apply skilled de-escalation techniques when necessary. Model and coach support staff on the effective implementation of behavioral supports and classroom management strategies.
• Professional Reliability: Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality to ensure the safety, supervision, and instructional continuity required for students with specialized needs.

Compliance & Communication

• Case Management: Complete comprehensive evaluations, write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and produce detailed progress reports within state and district timelines.
• Family Partnership: Maintain frequent, transparent communication with parents and guardians to build strong home-school partnerships.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Apply knowledge of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Social Thinking Curriculums, and Zones of Regulation to support student self-regulation.

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Valid Massachusetts Educator License in Special Education (Moderate or Severe Disabilities, grade-level appropriate).
• SEI Endorsement: Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Teacher Endorsement required.
• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Specialized Skills: Proven expertise in student behavior management, de-escalation techniques, and the ability to set firm, compassionate boundaries.
• Compliance: Successful completion of a Massachusetts CORI and fingerprint-based background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in co-teaching or collaborative inclusion models.
• Training in ABA, Social Thinking, or Zones of Regulation.
• Strong background in curriculum modification and differentiated instruction.

Physical Requirements: 

This position may require long periods of standing, walking, and sitting; talking or hearing in person and by telephone; using hands to feel, handle, or finger objects or controls; and reaching with hands and arms. Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The individual may be exposed to ultraviolet lights as are found in computer monitors and copying equipment. The individual may be exposed to various hazards in the building.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Swampscott Public Schools does not discriminate or tolerate harassment against students, parents/guardians, employees or the general public. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to the Swampscott Public Schools, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of the Swampscott Public Schools on grounds of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, age, genetic information, ancestry, children, marital or civil union status, veteran status or membership in the armed services, receiving of public assistance, homeless, or disability.