Job: Special Education Teacher (2)

North Adams Public Schools
10 Main Street, Second Floor
NORTH ADAMS, MA 01247

Phone:(413)776-1458
Fax:(413)776-1685
Website:napsk12.org

Company Description:
The mission of the North Adams Public Schools is to provide all students with the values, knowledge, and skills needed to reach their full potential, with the ultimate goal of becoming lifelong learners and productive members of the 21st Century. As a district, we are committed to providing a safe environment in which all individuals embrace the core values of diversity, inclusiveness, shared community responsibility, breadth of learning, and continuous growth and improvement.

Job Title:
Special Education Teacher (2)
Salary Range:Location:
North Adams
Job Type:Category:
Full TimeEducation/Training
Education Level:Work Experience:
Bachelor's Degree
Required
2+
Preferred
Skills/Certifications/Licenses:
certification as a teacher of student with moderate disabilities (5-12) or teacher of student with severe disabilities (all). - Preference: Required
Description:

Drury High School is seeking (2) dedicated and innovative Special Education Teachers for our specialize programs. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for working with diverse learners and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters academic and life skills development. This role requires an experienced educator who can effectively implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Understanding by Design (UBD) strategies, integrate project-based learning, and support students in achieving success both academically and in their daily lives.
Key Responsibilities:
•Innovative Instruction: Develop and deliver tailored instructional strategies that meet the diverse learning needs of students in specialized programs. Utilize UDL and UBD frameworks to design accessible and meaningful lessons that engage students in their learning process.
•Project-Based Learning: Design and implement project-based learning experiences that connect academic content with real-world applications. Provide hands-on opportunities for students to develop practical skills, while also enhancing their understanding of core academic subjects.
•Life Skills Development: Promote the development of life skills through lessons that align with the Portrait of a Graduate competencies, including communication, personal responsibility, global citizenship, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and responsible decision-making. Prepare students for successful, independent living and active participation in their communities.
•Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Integrate SEL into daily lessons and participate in Crew block to support the social and emotional well-being of students. Create a classroom environment where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to express themselves.
•Workplace Readiness: Guide students in developing workplace readiness skills, including job search strategies, resume writing, interview preparation, and on-the-job problem-solving. Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to provide students with real-world work experiences.
•Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs that address each student’s unique needs. Collaborate with families, support staff, and external service providers to ensure that all students are receiving the appropriate services and support.
•Collaboration: Work closely with other educators, support staff, and administration to ensure a cohesive approach to student learning and success. Participate in team meetings, professional development, and ongoing training to stay current with best practices in special education.

This position is subject to the North Adams Teachers contract.


Job Goal:To develop and implement effective lessons, foster a supportive learning environment, communicate with families, and fulfill all professional responsibilities.

Supervision:Reports to the Building Principal
Performance Responsibilities:

1.Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives.
2.Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each pupil.
3.Evaluates pupils’ academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
4.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency.
5.Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing students and providing appropriate academic, social-emotional, and behavioral interventions.
6.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
7.Communicates with families through conferences and other means to discuss student progress and helps families understand the school policies, procedures, and expectations.
8.Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice.
9.Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities, faculty meeting time, and collaborative time provided by the school and self-selected professional growth activities.
10.Collaborates with school and district leaders to advise on the selection of instructional resources and maintains an inventory of instructional materials provided.
11.Assists in the administration of standardized tests and cross-district assessments in accordance with the state and district assessment system.
12.Uses technology to fulfill professional responsibilities, including but not limited to the use of online learning platforms, student management systems, email, collaborative documents, spreadsheets, and other instructional tools.
13.Any other duties as may be assigned by the Building Principal.



Requirements:

•Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
•Valid Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education teaching certification as a teacher of student with moderate disabilities (5-12) or teacher of student with severe disabilities (all).
•Experience working with students aged 17 to 22 in a special education setting.
•Demonstrated experience with UDL, UBD, and project-based learning strategies.
•Strong belief in the potential of all students to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
•Commitment to the principles of social emotional learning and the Portrait of a Graduate philosophy.
•Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.


Physical Requirements:The position requires a moderate amount of walking, standing, sitting and climbing stairs and step stool whenever necessary. Activities also include moderate physical exertion in body movement such as reaching, bending, twisting, grasping, pushing, and pulling of objects. The position requires lifting objects of 20 pounds on a frequent basis, and over 20 pounds occasionally. There is a frequent requirement of fine manipulation associated with the required use of a computer, typewriter, keyboard, calculator, and other business machines. The applicant may be required to restrain special education students.

Environmental Conditions: The occupant is required to work indoors. The regular chemical solvents are toners, inks, and cleaning fluids. The occupant may come into contact with medical and/or bodily fluids.

The Committee's policy of nondiscrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public, and individuals with whom it does business; No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town or in obtaining the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of such public school on account of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.