Building Blocks / SE Teacher Job Posting

Anticipated: The Amherst Public School District is seeking a full-time qualified Special Education Teacher for our elementary therapeutic program at Fort River Elementary School. The Building Blocks Program provides specialized programming and services to students with one or more of the following challenges: academic social emotional and/or behavioral. Students require therapeutic support throughout the day and may be integrated into the general education setting for portions depending on their individual needs. The program staff includes teachers related service providers and para educators. This position requires strong leadership skills organization and a growth mindset.

The special education teacher will lead a substantially separate classroom which requires providing academic planning and instruction for students in grades K through 6th. It also includes direct instruction and support with social skills self-regulation strategies executive function modifying and adapting curriculum and developing implementing andmonitoring socialand positive behavioral supports.

Highly qualified candidates possess the following:

• Strong positive effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to build effective collaborative relationships with students paraeducators teachers service providers program coordinator administration families educational team leaders outside agencies and to work as part of a professional learning community and multi-disciplinary team
• Strong case management and home-school communication skills
• Highly effective executive function skills including being well organized strong time management skills and able to work independently to meet timelines. Ability to multitask show flexibility and work within a fast paced environment
• Well developed skills to supervise and work collaboratively with paraeducator staff including completing para formal and informal evaluations
• Experience with mild/moderate and atypical learning profiles
• Experience with completing all aspects of the IEP process including implementation monitoring and development
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multicultural school community
• Experience with and commitmentto inclusion that benefits students socially emotionally and academically
• Strong skillsin de-escalation. Trained or willing to be trained in a MA approved physical restraint procedure
• Ability to support students within the general education classroom and/or co-teach with general education teachers as directed by building-based administration.

Highly qualified candidates who are bilingual (Spanish / English)aredesirable but not required.

All candidates must hold Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure in Moderate Disabilities level K-8 or 5-12 or Severe Disabilities All levels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to use hands to assist students perform tasks speak to deliver instruction and behavioral directives and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand walk sit reach with hands and arms; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee may also be required to use physical interventions to maintain the safety of students.

Join Our Team at Amherst Regional Public Schools!

AtAmherst Regional Public Schools we are committed to building astrong dynamic and inclusiveteam. As part of this commitment we have partnered withMindWireand adoptedThe Predictive Index (PI) Behavioral & Cognitive Assessmentsto help us understand candidates natural strengths work styles and potential.

Why Work With Us

We usescience-backed insightsto support:

• Better hiring decisions
• Stronger team collaboration
• Enhanced training and professional growth
• Improved workplace communication
• Leadership development based on employees strengths and motivations

What to Expect in the Hiring Process

As part of our selection process youll be asked to complete:

• Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment A short (7-10 minute) survey that reveals your natural strengths and work style.
• Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment(if applicable) A 12-minute timed assessment measuring your ability to learn and is not an IQ test and there are no good or bad scores.

Our Commitment to You

These assessments are just one part of our hiring and development processthey are never the sole deciding hired you will have access to your results if requested the opportunity to ask questions and support in understanding how they relate to your career growth. If you are not hired your assessment results remain confidential and are typically not shared beyond the hiring process. Employers use The Predictive Index assessments only to evaluate candidates for a specific role and do not retain or share results for future use without consent.

At Amherst Regional Public Schools we believe inhiring the best people and helping them succeed. Weve found these insights to be remarkably accurate positive and valuable in identifying natural strengths. Were excited to provide you with this unique perspective to support your success and career development. If youre passionate about education and professional growth we encourage you to apply!

Apply today and become part of a team that values you!