Special Education Teacher

Drury High School is seeking a dedicated and innovative Special Education Teacher for our off-campus Greenhouse Program, designed for students aged 17 to 22. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for working with diverse learners and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters academic and life skills development. This role requires an experienced educator who can effectively implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Understanding by Design (UBD) strategies, integrate project-based learning, and support students in achieving success both academically and in their daily lives. The Greenhouse Program at Drury High School offers a unique, hands-on learning environment that empowers students to achieve their fullest potential. We are dedicated to providing innovative and individualized education that prepares students for successful, independent lives. Join our team and contribute to a program that is making a real difference in the lives of young adults. This position is subject to the North Adams Teachers contract. Position: Special Education Teacher – Off Campus Greenhouse Program Job Goal:To develop and implement effective lessons, foster a supportive learning environment, communicate with families, and fulfill all professional responsibilities. Supervision:Reports to the Building Principal Performance Responsibilities: 1.Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. 2.Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each pupil. 3.Evaluates pupils’ academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports. 4.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. 5.Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing students and providing appropriate academic, social-emotional, and behavioral interventions. 6.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations. 7.Communicates with families through conferences and other means to discuss student progress and helps families understand the school policies, procedures, and expectations. 8.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. 9.Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities, faculty meeting time, and collaborative time provided by the school and self-selected professional growth activities. 10.Collaborates with school and district leaders to advise on the selection of instructional resources and maintains an inventory of instructional materials provided. 11.Assists in the administration of standardized tests and cross-district assessments in accordance with the state and district assessment system. 12.Uses technology to fulfill professional responsibilities, including but not limited to the use of online learning platforms, student management systems, email, collaborative documents, spreadsheets, and other instructional tools. 13.Any other duties as may be assigned by the Building Principal. Key Responsibilities: •Innovative Instruction: Develop and deliver tailored instructional strategies that meet the diverse learning needs of students in the Greenhouse Program. Utilize UDL and UBD frameworks to design accessible and meaningful lessons that engage students in their learning process. •Project-Based Learning: Design and implement project-based learning experiences that connect academic content with real-world applications. Provide hands-on opportunities for students to develop practical skills within the Greenhouse setting, while also enhancing their understanding of core academic subjects. •Life Skills Development: Promote the development of life skills through lessons that align with the Portrait of a Graduate competencies, including communication, personal responsibility, global citizenship, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and responsible decision-making. Prepare students for successful, independent living and active participation in their communities. •Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Integrate SEL into daily lessons and participate in Crew block to support the social and emotional well-being of students. Create a classroom environment where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to express themselves. •Workplace Readiness: Guide students in developing workplace readiness skills, including job search strategies, resume writing, interview preparation, and on-the-job problem-solving. Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to provide students with real-world work experiences. •Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs that address each student’s unique needs. Collaborate with families, support staff, and external service providers to ensure that all students are receiving the appropriate services and support. •Collaboration: Work closely with other educators, support staff, and administration to ensure a cohesive approach to student learning and success. Participate in team meetings, professional development, and ongoing training to stay current with best practices in special education.