SY23-24 The Academy at Kiley (Long Term Substitute) Special Education (LINKS) Teacher

Grade Level : 6-8

Start Date : Immediate

This position is available in a substantially separate special education program classroom where methodology and best practices will be provided to support students with Autism, aligned with the goals and objectives outlined in the individual student IEPs.

The special education teacher is responsible for lesson planning and implementing tasks to support student learning. Focus of instruction will include functional spontaneous communication, social skills, plays skills, cognitive development, and functional academic skills, along with proactive strategies to decrease challenging behaviors as well as incorporating a multisensory approach to learning.

Lessons should be aligned with the Common Core and materials and activities should be presented individually, in small groups, and in large groups.

Adult assistance, repetition and reinforcement will be the focus in order to promote success in the independent completion of tasks.

Structured, consistent, and systematic approaches to learning will be utilized. Applied Behavioral Analysis approaches, including discrete trial training, incidental teaching, and pivotal response training are teaching methodologies utilized in the LINKS classrooms.

Teaching in SEZP

SEZP is seeking educators who are excited to work in a collaborative, engaging, diverse, and high energy environment. We are seeking team players committed to the SEZP mission, high expectations, and their own professional growth.

SEZP teachers are expected to :

• Create a safe, purposeful classroom environment that prioritizes learning
• Collaborate with other teachers, instructional leaders, and partners to ensure instruction is meeting the needs of students
• Assess students appropriately, analyze data, and determine appropriate next steps
• Ensure that instruction meets needs of all students, including students with special needs and English Language Learners
• Communicate regularly with families to solicit input and share academic progress
• Participate in regular professional development opportunities before and during the school year

Qualifications

• Experience teaching Special Education at the middle and / or high school level preferred
• Appropriate content / program area and grade level educator license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education required (Educators who are not yet licensed by MA DESE in the appropriate content / program area and grade level may be eligible for a licensure waiver and are still encouraged to apply.)
• Experience as an active anti-racist or advocate for equity preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required

If you meet some of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply or to reach out for more information. We know that historically marginalized groups including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job.

Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

We encourage you to reach out to if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!

Benefits

SEZP offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience; salaries for new teachers start at $50,500. Teachers in SEZP qualify for benefits (personal / sick days, retirement, health insurance, etc.

offered to other teachers in the Springfield Public Schools.

In addition, there are several opportunities unique to SEZP schools to increase earnings above base salary. While not guaranteed, those opportunities currently include, but are not limited to :

• Expanded Learning Time stipends at some schools, based on the yearly schedule
• Annual stipends for Capstone Projects associated with national-level professional development opportunities, following an application and selection process
• Empowerment Academies : Intervention and instruction opportunities we implement during February, April, and summer breaks, following an application and selection process
30+ days ago