Special Education Teacher-Flex

The Douglas Elementary School is looking for a 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher for the 2025-2026 School Year to join our team. Job Title: Moderate Needs Special Education Teacher – Therapeutic Setting (Grades 2–5) Location: Douglas Elementary School, Douglas, MA Reports To: Building Principal / Director of Student Services Position Type: Full-Time, School-Year Position Overview: Douglas Elementary School is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Education Teacher to support students in grades 2–5 with moderate needs in a therapeutic classroom setting. This role is ideal for an educator with a strong foundation in both academic instruction and social-emotional learning, who is committed to helping students succeed in a supportive, structured, and inclusive environment. Key Responsibilities: Individualized Instruction -Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) aligned with DESE standards and tailored to each student’s unique learning profile. -Design differentiated lessons and scaffolded instruction to meet academic, behavioral, and developmental needs. Therapeutic Milieu -Foster a classroom culture that is safe, predictable, and nurturing, with a focus on emotional regulation, social skill development, and self-advocacy. -Integrate therapeutic supports into daily routines to promote student stability and engagement. Behavior Management -Utilize evidence-based behavior management strategies and positive behavioral supports. -Collaborate with the school-based team to implement individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs). Crisis Intervention -Apply de-escalation and crisis prevention techniques (e.g., CPI or similar training) during challenging situations. -Provide calm, supportive responses to student dysregulation and work to restore a positive learning environment. Collaboration -Partner closely with general education teachers, school psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, and paraprofessionals. -Actively engage families in the IEP process and ongoing progress discussions. Assessment and Progress Monitoring -Conduct ongoing formal and informal assessments to monitor student growth and inform instructional planning. -Collect and analyze data to adjust strategies and ensure progress toward IEP goals. Instructional Strategies -Use a variety of multisensory, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate teaching methods to reach diverse learners. -Implement tools and technology to enhance student access and engagement. Communication -Maintain regular, clear, and professional communication with families and caregivers. -Provide timely documentation of student progress, behavior, and classroom activities. Training and Mentoring -Offer coaching and modeling for paraprofessionals and other support staff in therapeutic and instructional strategies. -Participate in ongoing professional development to enhance skills in special education and mental health-informed teaching. Program Development -Assist with the refinement of therapeutic programming within the elementary school. -Contribute to school-wide efforts that support inclusive and trauma-sensitive practices. Qualifications: Massachusetts DESE licensure in Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8) required. Experience in a therapeutic or special education setting preferred. Training or certification in behavioral/crisis intervention (e.g., Safety Care) strongly preferred. Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.