Special Education Teacher - Middle School

ACCEPT Education Collaborative is a regional non-profit educational organization located in Natick, MA. ACCEPT provides a wide range of programs and services including special education for students with moderate to severe needs, specialized transportation, home-based services, behavioral and educational consultation, and professional development. Our programs address autism spectrum disorders, emotional/behavioral needs, global impairments, cognitive/intellectual disabilities, language disorders, ADHD/ADD, and nonverbal learning disabilities.

ACCEPT is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Middle School teacher to work out of our Medway location. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, a collaborative work environment and professional training and support

Position Summary: 
Provides educational and behavioral consultation services to help ACCEPT programs build capacity to serve students with low incidence disabilities 

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited university
• Valid Massachusetts Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities License 
• Minimum of 1 year experience as a Special Education Teacher or relevant role
• Experience working with children with a wide range of disabilities 
• Proven ability to create IEPs
• A patient, resilient, resourceful and compassionate personality
• Excellent ability to stay calm in stressful situations
• Great interpersonal and communication skills

Qualifications Desired:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct educational assessments, write reports and present findings at Team meetings
• Assess students’ abilities and craft teaching plans
• Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs for each student assigned
• Prepare quarterly progress reports 
• Collaborate with related service providers and coordinate services for assigned students
• Provide information and support to parents and District liaisons as appropriate
• Coordinate completion of progress reports and Team meeting materials with related service providers
• Prepare and plan for instruction that aligns with State Frameworks and IEPs
• Develop and implement student schedules in order to ensure that student goals are being addressed meaningfully
• Create a differentiated learning environment, adapted to the individual student’s learning needs & strengths, learning style, and communication & behavioral needs
• Create a learning environment with embedded visual supports and established routines in order to maximize student independence
• Keep track of and reflect on students’ progress
• Monitor students’ behavioral patterns and arrange appropriate interventions when necessary
• Manage classroom crisis and resolve conflict
• Prepare students for transition to the next grade
• Coach/mentor and manage Teaching Assistants
• Respond to all email requests within 24 hours

Nonessential Functions:

• Occasional travel between all of the collaborative’s locations
• Other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Executive Director

Success Factors/Job Competencies:

• Ability and great desire to work with children with special needs
• Great attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive and proactive attitude 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct
• Commitment to company mission and values
• Strong team player

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building. The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and perform physical restraint of a student at times of behavioral escalation. The employee is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.). The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. Occasionally s/he operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person and on the telephone. In the classroom, the employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly/run across even or uneven surfaces. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.
• Work Environment: The employee will be working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position/classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

When applying please include: Cover Letter, Transcripts, Resume and Letters of Recommendation (if available)

ACCEPT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

ACCEPT Education Collaborative is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled