This position is responsible for all lead teacher and program coordination roles for the Westwood Public Schools Transition Program. MADESE licensure in Severe/Intensive special education, Sheltered English Endorsement (SEI) and previous experience working with adolescents and young adults in Transitional/Adult/Community College and Supported Employment contexts required.

The role includes supervision of multiple Instructional assistants and/or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tutors in both community-based, community college and in-school instructional settings. Additionally, case management with multi-disciplinary team partners, collaboration with parents/guardians as well as familiarity and success building successful relationships with adult agencies (DMH, DDS, MRC) and community employers are essential to success in the role.

Additional certification as a Transition Specialist, BCBA or other rehabilitation professional highly preferred by not required. If not currently held, the successful candidate for the role will need to gain the MADESE Transition Specialist credential upon completion of the required coursework.

Ability to modify curriculum in both academic, pre-vocational and ADL contexts is key. See program overview below for details on the specifics of programming and content. Ongoing assessment and completion of formalized Transition Assessments as part of the IEP process are also required skills. Instruction takes place in a variety of settings. Completion of the Mass RMV 7D license if not currently held is a requirement of the role to facilitate transportation of students on individual work/school schedules.

This program is designed for students with a range of complex disabilities (intellectual impairment, autism, neurological disabilities) who have completed their high school experience, and who need to continue to focus on building vocational and daily living skills. 

After assessing the student’s personal strengths and interests, the program designs and provides an individual program to teach the skills needed to live and work in the community. 

The students in this program are active participants in their transition from Westwood high school to adult life. Building upon the previously acquired skills from grades 9-12, students continue vocational skill development guided by individual transition plans focusing on post-secondary vision and goal areas of instruction, continued education, employment, community experiences and adult living. Students in this program may continue receiving services until turning 22 or until they meet requirements for a diploma or accept their already earned diploma. 

In addition to receiving direct specialized instruction in a variety of functional skills, students are provided with the opportunity to participate in a spectrum of employment options with varying degrees of support, coaching and eventual fading if appropriate within a variety of settings. Specialized instruction in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and ADL’s continue to be provided in small groups and individually as needed. Age appropriate recreation and leisure skills are developed and supported through developmentally appropriate, social activities.

All interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply. Position begins August 30, 2021.