Elementary AIMS SE Teacher 2026-2027

The Amherst Public School District is seeking a full -time highly qualified special education teacher for our highly inclusive elementary Academic Individualized Mainstream Support (AIMS) Program which provides specialized programming and services to students who have a high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder or other similarly presenting neurological conditions, often with communication challenges. The position includes providing direct instruction to students, typically ranging in grades K through 5, in academic areas such as language arts and mathematics, social skills training and self-regulation strategies, modifying and adapting curriculum, and developing, implementing and monitoring social and positive behavioral supports.

Highly qualified candidates possess the following:

• Strong positive, interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with students, staff, program coordinator, administration and families
• Ability to work closely and collaborate collaborative effectively with a team of teachers, service providers, and families; ability work as a member of a professional learning community and multi-disciplinary team
• Strong case management skills including regular home-school communication and communication with outside agencies and service providers
• Strong ability to multi-task and work within a fast paced environment focused on student learning, data collection, and measurable outcomes
• Highly effective executive function skills including being well organized, strong time management skills, and able to work independently to meet timelinestime lines
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills that promote and encourage collaboration with colleagues, parents, and administrators
• Strong ability to supervise and work collaboratively with paraprofessional staff including completing evaluations and giving regular feedback
• Experience with mild/moderate and/or intensive special needs, autism, and atypical learning profiles
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multi-cultural school / community
• Experience with and commitment to inclusion that benefits students socially, emotionally and academically
• Strong skills with de-escalation and ability to use and supervise the use of DESE approved physical restraint
• Experience with administering and interpreting formal and informal assessments, as well as strong interpretation and report writing skills
• Provide instruction in the core curricular areas including lesson planning, development, implementation and modification of materials
• Plan lessons collaboratively with classroom teachers accordingly to ensure alignment with standards and accommodations
• Design and implement effective positive behavioral supports and plans
• Ability to design, collect and analyze data, as well as develop appropriate interventions and monitoring systems
• Experience with completingcomplete all aspects of the IEP process including implementation, monitoring, and development
• Experience with research based methodologies including Applied Behavior Analysis
• Experience and training with social skills and self-regulation programs such as Michelle Garcia Winner, Zones of Regulation, S''cool Moves, etc.
• Experience with providing individual and small group social skills instruction

Highly, qualified candidates who are bilingual (Spanish / English) are desirable but not required.

All candidates must hold a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education License in Moderate Disabilities, level PK-8 or Severe Disabilities, All levels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to assist students perform tasks, speak to deliver instruction and behavioral directives, and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee may also be required to use physical interventions to maintain the safety of students.