Who Are We? Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a highly successful urban PK-12 public school located in Somerville and Cambridge. We enroll over 900 students from cities and towns throughout the greater Boston metro area. Our inclusive and restorative school celebrates and serves a diverse community - with 87% BIPOC, 27% ELL, and 16% of our students qualifying for special education services. Our mission is to prepare all students for success in college, foster responsible citizenship, and inspire a lifelong love of learning - as we believe academic achievement opens doors and creates opportunities for our students.
We center the values of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. Our approach to instruction is founded on culturally sustaining, inquiry-based, and student-centered practices. To invest in the growth of our educators, we offer comprehensive professional development, instructional coaching, and mentorship. Our campuses foster a collaborative team environment with extraordinary educators who are committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and professional growth.
What does a Special Education Teacher at Prospect Hill do? The Special Education Teacher ensures that all students receive a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with IDEA.
Essential Functions:
- Design and implement high quality instruction to students with a variety of mild to moderate learning disabilities.
- Administer, interpret and report on standardized evaluations and informal assessments.
- Utilize assessment data to monitor student progress, develop Individual Educations Programs (IEPs) and inform instruction.
- Attend and participate in IEP Team Meetings (annual, initial, 3 year re-evaluation, interim).
- Collaborate with general education colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team to monitor IEP implementation and service delivery.
- Facilitate an inclusive model of special education within the PHA community (provide resources, model best practices, disseminate strategies, etc.).
- Adapt curriculum and materials in accordance with the principles of Universal Design.
- Utilize instructional and assistive technology for students, as needed.
- Provide explicit instruction in meta-cognitive and executive functioning skills (time management, organization, self advocacy, etc.).
- Participate in professional development that is specific to the mission of PHA and responsive to the needs of our student population.
- Maintain ongoing communication with parents and colleagues.
- Adhere strictly to timelines for the completion and submission of all required paperwork.
- Supervise special education associate teachers (as needed).
Additional Responsibilities:
- Fulfill non-instructional duties as assigned by the building director (morning supervision, advisory, bus duty, etc.).
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times (attendance, punctuality, dress, written and oral communication, etc.).
- Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Student Services and/or the building Principal.
What Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences are needed for this role?
- Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree preferred
- Current Massachusetts licensure in Special Education (Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, K-8 or 5-12)
- Additional Massachusetts licensure in content area, if applicable
- Comprehensive understanding of state and federal regulations pertaining to Special Education
- Commitment to Prospect Hill Academy's educational mission and values
- Commitment to and experience working with students from diverse backgrounds with diverse profiles
- Willingness to work collaboratively with a dedicated staff and involved parent body
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Flexibility, collaboration and a growth mindset
- Ability to multi-task and perform a range of instructional and administrative duties
- Attention to detail
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date records.
- Maintains respectful, collegial, and collaborative relationships with colleagues.
- Supports the extracurricular life of the school.
- Seeks and participates in collaborative inquiry as professional development.
- Adheres to and upholds school rules and procedures.
- Reflects positively on the PHA community.
- Fulfills basic professional responsibilities.
- Contributes positively to the professional culture of the school.
NOTE: This list of essential and additional functions is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be supplemented at the request of one's supervisor and/or senior management.
Additional Functions
- Commitment to Prospect Hill Academy''s educational mission, vision, and values
- Commitment to working with students and families from diverse backgrounds with diverse profiles
- Well-developed and demonstrated cultural proficiency
- Strong organizational and communication skills, both written and oral
- Passionate about collaboration with colleagues and supervisor
- Detail-oriented with a strong ability to multitask
- High degree of flexibility and responsiveness in the face of challenge
- Ability to confirm to the highest standards of professionalism in all manners
Physical Requirements
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms to stoop, kneel, or crouch
- Regularly required to operate a computer and other office equipment with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
- Occasional use of hands to handle or feel
- Occasional climbing or balancing
- Regular speaking and hearing; specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception
The above information outlines the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position. It is not designed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job; nor is it a contract for employment. The school will make reasonable accommodations as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employment at the School is on an "Employment-At-Will" basis. In other words, you or the School may terminate employment for any reason and at any time, with or without notice. Similarly, the terms of employment outlined in this description are subject to change at any time.