Anticipated* Special Educator - Middle School SY25/26

Special Educator - SY25/26

Middle School

The Burlington School District believes a diverse and culturally proficient faculty and staff are pivotal to the creation of a strong learning and working environment that supports student achievement and success. BSD administrators lead inclusive school communities with our vision: "Cultivating caring, creative, and courageous people. - Join the journey.”

The Mission of the Burlington School District is to graduate students who:

• Value different cultures;
• Engage with the community;
• Communicate effectively;
• Think creatively;
• Skillfully solve problems; and
• Achieve at their highest academic, intellectual and personal potential.

Burlington School District is accepting applications for a passionate and energetic Middle School Special Educator who is committed to high levels of achievement of all students. Special Educators provide support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibilities for developing special education students' success in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living; supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group an individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines: collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students’ parents or guardians regarding instructional program and student progress. Applicants must be dedicated to the belief and desire for the inclusion of all students, and eager to be a member of a high energy, fast-paced dedicated special education team as well as individual student teams in support of student success for all.

ESSENTIAL  FUNCTIONS:

• Instructional Strategies

1. Collaborate with other classroom teachers, school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, speech/hearing specialists, and school social workers to provide an integrated plan for developing the capacities of their students.
2. Set learning goals for each student, assess their progress, and record their evaluations.
3. Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
4. Present subject matter according to guidelines established by the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).
5. Update parents on the progress of their students and enlist parental support with behavior control and home activities designed to supplement their classroom lessons.
6. Supervise and train paraeducators. 

• Student Growth and Development

1. Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
2. Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.

• Classroom Management and Organization

1. Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students. 
2. Manage student behavior and administer discipline. This includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP. 
3. Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP. 
4. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. 
5. Assist in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials as required.

• Communication

1. Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers. 
2. Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members. 
3. Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
4. Participation in a professional/teaching-learning community group or similar learning community.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

 Job Requirements:

• Licensed or eligible for Vermont Educators License.
• Endorsement in Special Education (82) at a middle school level or eligible for Vermont Provisional License.
• Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

 Required Qualifications:

• Experience in closely working with and case-managing up to 25 special-education and 504 students.
• Experience supporting students with social cognition, behavioral, and social emotional needs.
• Experience training and supervising para-educators providing support services to special needs students
• Experience in planning, leading, and managing large and potentially complex IEP meetings with students, parents, teachers, outside agencies, community mentors, and other support people.
• Understanding of Cultural Competency (as explained through Essay 1 on SchoolSpring).
• Knowledge of best practices regarding frameworks of student behavioral support.

 Preferred Attributes:

• Training and/or experience with English Language Learners.
• Experience in a professional/teaching learning community; experience in co-teaching/collaborating with other educators.
• Evidence of student-centered learning approaches including personalizing instruction and supporting students meeting core proficiencies
• Evidence of implementing inclusive practices for students with special needs.
• Ongoing educational post graduate coursework in education or subject area, including diversity, equity and inclusion.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS/TERMS:

• SALARY: As per the Master Agreement between the Burlington Board of School Commissioners and the Burlington Education Association. This is a salaried position paid Bi-Weekly with a lump sum payment for the summer period.
• SCHOOL YEAR: 10 months, 187 workdays (based on start date), 7.75 per day/38.75 per week
• BENEFITS: Benefits eligible on start date. 30 days to enroll in coverage from start day. BSD Benefits!
• PAID TIME: Sick Time / Personal Time As per the Master Agreement.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Burlington School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

The Burlington School District will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Salary : $53,571 - $76,006