SY25-26 Duggan Academy LINKS Special Education Teacher

Location: John J. Duggan Academy

Start Date: August 18 2025

About the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership

In 2015 the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Springfield Public Schools partnered to form the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP). SEZP is committed to ensuring that the middle and high schools in The Zone are engaging environments where teachers receive the supports they need to grow professionally and students have the opportunity to acquire the academic and personal skills to succeed in the college or career of their choice.

Each SEZP school has the autonomy to craft and implement its own unique vision for success and receives support from an ecosystem of national-caliber partners. Furthermore Teacher Leadership Teams at each school ensure that teacher voice is heard and that there is strong communication between school administration and staff.

Teaching in SEZP

SEZP is seeking educators who are excited to work in a collaborative engaging diverse and high energy environment. We are seeking team players committed to the SEZP mission high expectations and their own professional growth.

Special Education Teacher for LINKS program classroom supporting students with Autism.

Overview

The position is available in a substantially separate special education program classroom where methodology and best practices will be provided to support students with Autism aligned with the goals and objectives outlined on the individual student IEPs. The special education teacher is responsible for lesson planning and implementing tasks to support student learning. Focus of instruction will include functional spontaneous communication social skills plays skills cognitive development and functional academic skills along with proactive strategies to decrease challenging behaviors as well as incorporating a Multisensory approach to learning. Lesson should be aligned with the Common Core and materials and activities should be presented individually in small groups and in large groups. Adult assistance repetition and reinforcement will be the focus in order to promote success in the independent completion of tasks.

Structured consistent and systematic approaches to learning will be utilized. Applied Behavioral Analysis approaches including discrete trial training incidental teaching and pivotal response training are teaching methodologies are utilized in the LINKS classrooms.

Special Education Teacher Responsibilities

• Create a safe purposeful classroom environment that prioritizes learning
• Collaborate with other teachers instructional leaders and partners to ensure instruction is meeting the needs of students
• Assess students appropriately analyze data and determine appropriate next steps
• Ensure that instruction meets needs of all students including students with special needs and English Language Learners
• Communicate regularly with families to solicit input and share academic progress
• Participate in regular professional development opportunities before and during the school year

Special Education Teacher Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
• Appropriate content/program area and grade level educator license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Educators who are not yet licensed by MA DESE in the appropriate content/program area and grade level may be eligible for a licensure waiver and are still encouraged to apply.)

Desired Skills

• A track record of success working with students and proven expertise in middle school English as a Second Language instruction
• High expectations for self and others and a willingness to hold self and others accountable to these expectations
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with students and families
• Commitment to professional growth and regularly seeking out opportunities to improve instructional practice
• Belief and alignment with SEZPs core beliefs and philosophy including the belief that each and every child can excel academically
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage interrelated tasks
• Bilingual speaking reading and writing abilities (Spanish)

Benefits

SEZP offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience; salaries for new teachers start at $ in SEZP qualify for benefits (personal/sick days health insurance etc.) offered to other teachers in the Springfield Public will be filled on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply questions.

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race color religion national origin sex gender identity sexual orientation sex characteristics sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct genetic information ancestry age disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race color sex gender identity sex characteristics sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct religion national origin or sexual orientation disability or homelessness.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination including sex-based harassment in any education program or activity that it operates as required by Title IX and its regulations including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights at or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie OSullivan Senior Administrator of Human Resources 1550 Main Street Springfield MA 01103 ext. 55428.

Springfield Public Schools sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX please refer to