Special Education Associate (Integrated Learning Center) Teacher

Who Are We? Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a highly successful urban PK-12 public school located in Somerville and Cambridge. We enroll over 900 students from cities and towns throughout the greater Boston metro area. Our inclusive and restorative school celebrates and serves a diverse community - with 87% BIPOC, 27% ELL, and 16% of our students qualifying for special education services. Our mission is to prepare all students for success in college, foster responsible citizenship, and inspire a lifelong love of learning - as we believe academic achievement opens doors and creates opportunities for our students.

We center the values of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. Our approach to instruction is founded on culturally sustaining, inquiry-based, and student-centered practices. To invest in the growth of our educators, we offer comprehensive professional development, instructional coaching, and mentorship. Our campuses foster a collaborative team environment with extraordinary educators who are committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and professional growth.

What does a Special Education Associate (Integrated Learning Center) at Prospect Hill do? The Special Education Associate assists special education teachers working with students in the Integrated Learning Center in ensuring that all students receive a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with IDEA Essential Responsibilities:

• Under supervision of a special education teacher, assist with and/or provide high quality instruction to students with a variety of mild to moderate learning disabilities.
• Work as part of a teaching team to provide a supportive, structured environment for students in the integrated learning center
• Collect data related to student's IEP's to monitor student progress and inform instruction as directed by special education teacher
• Implement student accommodations and/or modifications per student IEP's with support of special education teacher
• Collaborate with special education teachers, general education colleagues, and members of the multidisciplinary team (OT, SPL, PT, school counselor, etc)
• Provide academic, behavioral, and social emotional support for students in the inclusive setting or in the Integrated Learning Center as directed by special education teacher
• Utilize instructional and assistive technology including AAC devices for students, as needed.
• Provide explicit instruction in meta-cognitive and executive functioning skills (time management, organization, self advocacy, etc.) as directed by special education teacher
• Provide social coaching to support student access to social periods including recess, lunch, morning meeting, etc
• Participate in professional development that is specific to the mission of PHA and responsive to the needs of our student population.
• Establish therapeutic rapport with students and use evidence based approaches to both proactively and reactively support student behavior
• Adhere strictly to timelines for the completion and submission of all required paperwork and data collection

Additional Responsibilities:

• Fulfill non-instructional duties as assigned by the building director (morning supervision, advisory, bus duty, recess duty, etc.).
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times (attendance, punctuality, dress, written and oral communication, etc.).
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education and/or the Building Principal.

What Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences are needed for this role?

• Bachelors Degree required
• Understanding of state and federal regulations pertaining to Special Education
• Commitment to Prospect Hill Academy’s educational mission and values
• Commitment to and experience working with students from diverse backgrounds with diverse profiles
• Willingness to work collaboratively with a dedicated staff and involved parent body
• Experience supporting students with various needs and learning styles
• Flexibility, collaboration and a growth mindset
• Ability to multi-task and perform a range of instructional and administrative duties
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Attention to detail

Our students and families are diverse, and we are committed to hiring educators who reflect the wonderful diversity of our students. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply to work at Prospect Hill.