High School Special Education Teacher

High School Special Education TeacherSalary Range: $70,000 - $80,000/year + $3,000 BonusLancaster, MA

RFK Community Alliance has an exciting opportunity for a High School Special Education Teacher for our Job Readiness Program to join our incredible team!

Who We Are

More Than Just a School

Our classes are structured with low student-to-staff ratios, and the curriculum is taught in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Engaging lessons, projects, and activities are taught and reinforced through a hands-on approach and using 1:1 devices.

In addition to core content, students attend Physical Education/Fitness/Health, Art, Music, and Technology elective classes. High school students receive credit toward their local graduation requirements, engage in Transition & Career options, and have options for credit recovery, as well.

Our school-based clinical services provide individualized therapeutic treatment to assist each student to function successfully across all environments. Services include individual and group sessions and crisis intervention, which target social/emotional growth and problem-solving.

Using the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) model, our trauma informed, therapeutic integrated program combines education and related services. Our clinicians and staff members are also trained in the use of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), a therapeutic model that addresses behaviors that stem from lagging skills.

Our clinical team collaborates closely with classroom staff and other service providers to implement specific strategies and methodologies across all environments to consistently develop student social, emotional, and behavioral regulation.

Our curriculum and support services promote healthy relationships with peers and staff and instill educational and social confidence, helping students to reach their full potential.

Each of our RFK Community Alliance schools are year-round, state-approved special education day school programs that serve students 6-21 years of age with social, emotional, and behavioral needs.

We focus on each student’s ability to develop attitudes and actions that promote problem-solving, independence, and academic achievement. We believe in a comprehensive educational environment that focuses on social competence, character development, and personal values for learning.

Who You Are

You are a compassionate, collaborative, and resourceful educator who is committed to supporting and empowering students in our year-round, therapeutic private special education day school. You want to teach in a learning environment that has an academically challenging curriculum, a philosophy that builds on individual student strengths, and an emphasis on seeing students succeed. You understand the importance of trauma-responsive practices, and you support every student every day with unconditional positive regard. You are an educator who seeks out opportunities to learn, reflect, and collaborate with colleagues.

What You Will Do

Educators are a vital part of our team approach to supporting the students we proudly serve. They collaborate with other staff to build a safe and supportive learning community that recognizes and values each student’s unique strengths and challenges. Our teachers and support staff collaborate to create engaging learning activities and provide opportunities for students to access career and vocational opportunities, volunteer, and engage with the broader community aligned with their postsecondary vision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Foster a creative, supportive, and nurturing learning environment for students by building strong relationships and mutual respect

• Coordinate student-centered transition activities and links to community resources to ensure successful post-school outcomes in employment, education, and independent living

• Provide job coaching for students in volunteer and paid employment, consulting with employers to implement strategies and accommodations designed to support student success

• Provide instruction with well-developed lesson plans and materials addressing IEP goals, including community-based and social skills instruction

• Build employer relations and develop job sites on campus and in the community

• Prepare students socially and emotionally for the transitions ahead of them

• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues and leaders

• Assumes other responsibilities necessary to ensure program safety and continuity

• Because we are a private therapeutic school for students with disabilities, our teachers also demonstrate certain skills and abilities that include:

• Proven ability to effectively communicate with students, colleagues, parents, and school leaders

• Cultural competence to work with students from different backgrounds and with different abilities

• Excellent teaching, writing, and communication skills

• Strong creative thinking, flexibility, and crisis management skills

• Comfort working with or learning common technologies

• Maintaining records, including IEPs, progress reports, grades, work permits, and more

• Desire to continue your own professional learning journey

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher assistants across multiple settings

Qualifications:

• You are someone who leads with compassion and values collaboration, inclusion, and learning.

• The best-qualified candidate will have or be eligible for Massachusetts educator certification in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities 5-12, experience teaching young adults with disabilities, and possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

Shift:

40 hours per week: Monday – Friday, days; 12-month, benefited position.

Bonus Structure:

• $1,000 payable upon completion of 6 months

• $2,000 payable upon completion of 12 months

Who We Are

RFK Community Alliance provides high-quality care and support to people and families facing complicated challenges. As a multi-service agency, we offer a wide range of programs serving a variety of needs across all ages, from infants to seniors. We are team players when it comes to caring. We work with the people we serve, their families, schools, and other community partners to develop a network of support. We provide opportunities to build skills and confidence. We nurture strength, determination, and resilience.

How We Promote Equity, Cultivate Leaders, and Grow Together

At RFK Community Alliance, we’re dedicated to a culture where everyone can show up to work as their full authentic selves. Diversity and inclusion doesn’t happen by accident, it’s by design. Together we are the designers. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes our organization stronger. We care about including diverse perspectives and experiences throughout every level. Which is why we’re committed to honoring, celebrating, and fostering diversity and inclusion on our team, in our clientele and within our community. Our team must reflect our community and vice versa. We value, respect, and support all types of diversity across all identities including, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, LGBTQIA, age religion and abilities. We take responsibility for the community we’re creating here at RFK Community Alliance, and we’re here to contribute to the progression of our society to a more inclusive and equitable one.

Why You’ll Love Us

In addition to being a part of a supportive team, we offer amazing employee benefits, including:

•Health Insurance

•Dental Insurance

•Vision Insurance

•Generous paid time off

•Holiday Pay

•Educational Assistance

•Employer paid life insurance

•Employer paid Short- & Long-Term Disability

•Retirement Plan with generous employer match

•Tuition Reimbursement

•Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program

To apply for this position please click on → High School Special Education Teacher. RFKCA offers a compassionate, inclusive company culture and excellent work environment. RFKCA is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability. EOE/AA

Keywords: Special Education, Teacher, Teaching, IEP, Special Needs, Autism, Emotional Impairment, Learning Disabilities, Curriculum development, Education, SPED, Moderate Disabilities