Teacher - Special Education (Intensive Program)

Job Summary:
This Special Education Teacher will be the lead teacher in a multi-grade, substantially separate classroom (grades 6-8) at Hingham Middle School. This program is designed for students requiring intensive, specially designed instruction and support including students with Autism. Many students have multiple needs that reach across most developmental domains such as communication, social skills, behavior regulation, adaptive living skills, and academics. The services include a combination of supported inclusion, reverse inclusion, discrete trial training, small group activities and incidental teaching strategies.

The program is based primarily on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavior Supports with a focus on the use of individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), incorporating strategies inclusive of, but not limited to: functional communication training and positive reinforcement systems. This individual will utilize the ACE curriculum when appropriate for students’ learning needs. This individual will report to the Executive Director of Student Services, Assistant Director of Student Services, and Building Principal and will work closely with the District’s BCBA, Speech and Language, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Occupational, and Physical Therapists, and paraeducators. This individual will be responsible for developing, maintaining, reporting on, and revising all programs and individual student program books and parent/guardian communication books for students. Program books and parent/guardian communication books will be subject for frequent review at any time by the Executive Director of Student Services, Assistant Director of Student Services, Building Principal, the District’s BCBA, or any other designee. This individual will be expected to collaborate and follow through with any recommendations proposed by the District BCBA.

Responsibilities:

• Teach, co-teach, reinforce, remediate, and ensure mastery of academic content with individual students, small groups of students, and whole class(es) of students in accordance with their IEPs
• Evaluate students’ for their three-year evaluation process and to progress monitor students regularly and prepare measurable goals and objectives for IEP review and reevaluation meeting(s) in accordance with state and federal regulations;
• Design and develop all student programs/program books
• Participate in TT and data collection
• Must be or willing to be Safety Care Trained
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards;
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and modify instructional practices
• Collaborate and effectively communicate consistently and professionally with students, families, and colleagues
• Participate in curriculum design and professional development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions
• Ensure students are engaged and invested in the classroom, managing behavior and providing incentives
• Formulate, write, and implement Individualized Education Programs
• Organize and implement an instructional program that meets the developmental level and unique learning style of diverse learners
• Manages the classroom to maintain a positive, safe, secure and effective learning environment by providing a high degree of structure, clear expectations and consistency. Implements expectations and consequences as appropriate for each student as outlined in behavior management plan
• Maintains a firm, fair and consistent approach to the instruction of students and promotes student involvement by reinforcing positive behaviors
• Ensures the rights of all students are observed and protected through the use of appropriate and respectful communication, proper de-escalation techniques, and correct physical restraint methods when necessary
• Use professional quality consistent communication to convey information to the student’s team (internal and external)
• Meet all district, state and federal requirements for the program to which you are assigned, including IEP and Progress Report deadlines
• Demonstrate an understanding of functional skills and implement a system of positive behavioral interventions
• Administer a variety of assessment tools, write detailed reports, summarize the results and provide recommendations
• Use formative and summative assessment and document student progress and achievement; assess and analyze student strengths; design and implement appropriate instruction to facilitate learning and growth
• Collaborate with other educators, related service providers and parents to maximize student outcomes
• Remain current with accepted and appropriate instructional theory, practice and research, including engaging in regular and strategic professional development to stay current in best practices for diverse learners
• Provide ongoing support and monitoring of paraeducators in ABA principles and methodologies
• Experience in toilet training and developing toileting plans
• Ability to graph and analyze behavior and academic data
• Collaborate with others on the Implementation of high and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems
• Completion and submission of MCAS Alt Portfolios
• Other duties as as assigned

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Special Education
• Valid Massachusetts Teaching License in Special Education, Severe Special Needs
• Experience working with students with severe disabilities
• Familiarity with IEP process and reporting
• Ability to train and supervise of program paraeducators
• Knowledge of and experience with ABA and DTT
• Familiarity with the ACE curriculum preferred
• Ability to conduct evaluate students and develop reports
• Ability to create, implement, and monitor BIPs
• Skilled in behavior management strategies
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills

Benefits Information:
Please see this link for information on employment and benefits in the Hingham Public Schools.

Hingham Public Schools does not discriminate in its educational and/or operational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender (including pregnancy), gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.