Early Childhood Special Educator - SY25/26

Early Childhood Special Educator

SY25/26

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.

The Burlington Early Education program is seeking a full time Early Childhood Special Educator. The Burlington Early Education program supports preschool students and families in the Burlington community. We respect our role in collaborating with families, caregivers and children as their first entry into the Burlington Schools. Our program values providing child-centered education that is inclusive, neurodiversity affirming, trauma informed, and responsive to the many cultures that comprise our Burlington community.

We are looking for a special educator who is excited to closely collaborate with our large team in order to meet the needs for our Early Education program. This role is dynamic and may include: providing direct service for special education students within our district classrooms, collaborating with more than 40 community partner preschool programs, supporting the transition from Part C to Part B, and following Vermont State Special Education regulations. The Early Education program is an integral part of the larger Burlington School District system and as such, our team members work to support our district priorities and engage with the larger school community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborate with preschool teachers, related service providers, parents, community agencies and community preschool partners
• Work to support special education students in diverse preschool settings.
• Follow Vermont Special Education Rules, including rules around Transition from Part C to Part B services.
• Use the Vermont Early Learning Standards and Teaching Strategies Gold Data in order to to recognize, model and/or implement curriculum that is universally designed and appropriate for the students in the classroom.
• Conduct and report on early childhood special education screenings and evaluations.
• Mentor and potentially supervise other program staff.
• Support student behavior and de-escalation strategies for staff.
• Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences or meetings with caregivers, teachers, and/or administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Job Requirements:

Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• • Minimum Required: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, or related field.
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education.
  • Licensed or eligible for Vermont Educators License.
  • Endorsement in Early Childhood Education (36), Special Education (82) or eligible for Vermont Provisional License;
  • Documented or eligible for NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher status;

Required Qualifications:

• • Experience working in a preschool classroom
  • Experience in closely working with, providing instruction to, and case-managing special-education students.
  • Experience implementing Early Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (e-MTSS) and trauma informed practices.
  • 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 Navigating Part C to Part B transitions and teaming.
  • Experience with case management of multidisciplinary teams.
  • 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.