Teacher - Special Education Teacher

 ANTICIPATED OPENING FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
FUNDING CONTINGENT ON TOWN MEETING APPROVAL MAY 28, 2025

BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BELLINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS

TITLE: Special Education Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the school principal, assistant superintendent for student services, the special education teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings. The person in this position is responsible for creating a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized designed instruction for students with disabilities, such that the students benefit from the general education curriculum to the greatest extent possible when supported with supplemental aids, modifications, accommodations, and other needed support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide direct and indirect instructional support to students in a positive environment.
2. Develop and implement Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) with measurable goals and objectives (SMART Goals)
3. Administer and interpret a variety of standardized academic assessments and construct professional assessment summary reports.
4. Adhere to and implement state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates.
5. Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
6. Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques such as phonetics, multi-sensory learning, and repetition to reinforce learning and to meet students' varying needs and interests.
7. Teach socially acceptable behavior, as determined by the students’ individualized education programs (IEPs) and positive behavioral support plans by employing techniques in an overall positive behavioral support system.
8. Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies in accordance with the student’s IEP.
9. Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students.
11. Meet with parents to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their individualized educational needs.
12. Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and other professionals to develop individualized education programs (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social/emotional development.
13. Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
14. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
15. Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students in inclusive classroom settings.
16. Provide crisis intervention, as needed, for students and those in inclusive classrooms.
17. Assist in collection of data for providing appropriate classroom interventions.
18. Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
19. Assist in preparation of data for local, state, and federal reports.
20. Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities.
21. Perform related work as required. 

SKILLS/ABILITY:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills
2. Working knowledge of state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates
3. Work collaboratively with staff, parents, administrators.
4. Excellent organizational skills
5. Knowledge of and ability to implement social skills groups.
6. Ability to implement and utilize positive behavioral intervention strategies.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES and/or DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

1.  Appropriate MA DESE Certification Required in Moderate Disabilities (Prek-8 or 5-12)
2.  Massachusetts Certification in Elementary 1-6, Preferred (if applicable)
3.  Master’s Degree Preferred
4.  Experience working with students within inclusion, small group and individual settings.
5. Experience working with students with social/emotional needs preferred.
6. Safety Care Trained
7. Co-Teaching Experience Required
8. Experience working with Elementary students.
9.  Experience facilitating IEP meetings.
10.  Experience delivering specialized instruction targeting individual student goals.
11.  Experience with transitional planning for students with social/emotional disabilities.
12. RTI experience required.
13.  SEI Endorsement Course Required.

SALARY:

CLASSIFICATION: (AFSCME, BTA, Singleton or Non-Union)

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

You are required to be physically capable of escorting students from the building in case of a practice drill or emergency situation in a safe and timely fashion.

Must be able to move about the classroom and have the ability to bend, sit or stand frequently.

REPORTS TO:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

OUR MISSION:

The Bellingham Public School District’s enrollment is approximately 1,930 students and an organizational staff of 400 employees.  The district is split into the following building grade levels:

DiPietro Elementary (Preschool – Grade 3), Stall Brook Elementary (Preschool – Grade 3) Bellingham Memorial School (grades 4-7) and Bellingham High School (grades 8-12), and Keough Memorial Academy (grades 7-12) is our therapeutic day school for students with special needs.

Our core mission is to foster an environment in which students and staff have opportunities to reach their full potential. The Bellingham School District is committed to providing a challenging and academically motivating education where all students, staff and families accept responsibility for education within their schools. 

The School Committee and the Administrative Team support the District Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan.  Our goal is to always reach for our vision:  The Bellingham Public Schools, in collaboration with students, their families, and the community, will provide a safe learning environment, where the unique strengths of every learner are enhanced and celebrated.  We will work together to build a shared sense of pride in the Bellingham Public Schools by amplifying academic excellence, increasing communication, cultivating a positive climate, improving social and emotional well-being, and enhancing technology use and implementation.