Teacher - Special Education (Learning Support Program) - Grades K-2 (SY 25-26)

Position:Special Education Teacher (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade) Learning Support Program

Position Type:Full-time

Department:Special Education

Location:Cunniff Elementary School

Reports To:Principal
Affiliation:Watertown Educators Association Unit A

Salary range:As determined by Salary Schedule Unit A

Summary:

Watertown Public Schoolsis seeking a special education teacher for the Learning Support Learning Support classroom is designated for those students who have been identified through the IEP process as needing a small highly structured and individualized learning environment. With a special education teacher and instructional assistants students will receive specialized instruction prescribed by the IEP team to meet the educational needs of the student.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Student assessment and progress monitoring;
• Implementation of instructional programs and strategies based on studentlearning goals and individualized educational plans;
• Collaboration with grade-level teams to ensure successful inclusion of studentsin the general education classroom
• Collaboration with team members within and outside of the WPS to ensure thatall student supports are in place.
• A working knowledge of the following curricular components is also highly recommended:Eureka 2 Math Wilson Fundations i-Ready Diagnostic and Program Wit & Wisdom literacy programandResponsive Classroom.

Core Competencies:Using the Massachusetts Model System for Educators Rubric priority skills and abilities that all Watertown Public School teachers should possess:

Curriculum Planning and Assessment

(Subject Matter Knowledge Well-Structured Lessons Curriculum and Planning Indicator Child and Adolescent Development)

• Demonstrates mastery of and enthusiasm for the content area and the pedagogy it requires
• Can convey a grasp of child development and how students learn
• Designs effective and rigorous standards-based units of instruction consisting of well-structured lessons with measurable outcomes.
• Familiarity with any or all of the following programs preferred: Fundations Wit & Wisdom Eureka2.

Teaching All Students

(Meeting Diverse Needs Student Engagement Safe Learning Environment)

• Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge motivate and engage all students and facilitate equitable active student participation
• Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community
• Cultural Proficiency
• Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students diverse backgrounds identities strengths and challenges are respected

Family and Community Engagement

(Parent/Family Engagement)

• Engages with families and builds collaborative respectful relationships with them in service of student learning
• Professional Reflection & Collaboration

Professional Culture

(Reflective Practice Professional Collaboration)

• Regularly reflects on practice seeks and responds to feedback and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community.

Qualifications:

• Certification in moderate or severe special needs and elementary education is preferred.
• The candidate must also have at least two years of experience working in an educational setting.
• Education: Bachelors Degree required Masters Degree Preferred
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to children and adults
• Ability to meet the Standards of Effective Teaching established by the Massachusetts Model System for Educators as outlined above.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin pregnancy gender identity sexual orientation marital/civil union status ancestry place of birth age citizenship status veteran status political affiliation genetic information or disability as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.