Special Education teacher - Autism Program [SY26-27]

District Overview:

Overview of the Malden Public Schools: The Malden Public Schools (MPS) is a richly diverse school district located within the Greater Boston area and accessible by the MBTA orange line train. Malden's student body comprises approximately 6,800 students who represent 59 different countries and speak 67 different languages. We have 1 early learning center, 5 K-8 schools, and 1 high school. We are committed to providing high expectations for all learners through rigorous instruction and culturally responsive practices and pedagogy. MPS is a safe, welcoming, and collaborative district where we encourage and embrace a growth mindset. We believe that our diversity is an asset, and we are seeking candidates that reflect, embrace, and contribute to the strengths of our community. Join our team!

The Salemwood Community:

The Salemwood School is one of the largest and most diverse K-8 schools in the city of Malden. Our school prides itself on our international diversity; our families speak over 34 different languages.

At Salemwood, we work in partnership with our parents and caregivers to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment. Our aim is to provide all children with a sense of belonging and access to the academic, social, and emotional resources they need to attain their full potential and to become successful, independent, and culturally-proficient members of our community and our world. We are proud to serve families from every Malden neighborhood and from over 30 different countries. We view positive engagement and respectful behavior as skills that can be taught and we work as a community to help our students develop a respect for self and others, a sense of civic responsibility, and an appreciation for people with diverse origins, identities, beliefs, and learning styles.

The school values the culture and beliefs that each child brings to the classroom, and teachers believe that children must engage with their world in order to make sense of it and build their knowledge. Each student is expected to take responsibility for his/her/their own learning, while collaborating, supporting, and respecting others. Teachers provide learning experiences that guide and capture our student's interests while at the same time helping them to develop literacy and math skills, think critically, problem solve, and engage in rich scientific and historical inquiry. We embraced the PBIS framework which focuses on positive behavior management and allows us to strengthen our high expectations and respect for all in our school community. Our mascot is the Shark: Safe, Helpful, Attentive, Respectful and Kind.

At Salemwood, we are deeply committed to creating and fostering a learning environment where student achievements are celebrated, learning styles are complimented and cultural diversity is the true inspirational beacon. These commitments of pure devotion are common threads of our Salemwood School community.

The school serves just over 1000 students in grades Kindergarten-Grade 8.

Job Description:

This position involves teaching in a substantially separate classroom, as well as creating opportunities for meaningful inclusion as appropriate. Candidates should have demonstrated experience teaching and supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as skills in collaboration and working with students with challenging behaviors. Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct intensive ABA instruction and direct teaching of social thinking, language and skills to students.
• Manage and implement plans and data collection based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Create opportunities for meaningful inclusion in general education classrooms, exploratory classes, and the school community for all students.
• Ensure appropriate accommodations and modifications, as needed, to the general education curriculum for students based upon a variety of instructional techniques, approaches and technologies, in accordance with the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Set high expectations for all students.
• Scaffold, differentiate instruction and use instructional practices that challenge, motivate and engage all learners.
• Facilitate a classroom environment that provides predictable routines and structure and is physically and emotionally safe and welcoming for all students.
• Manage a liaison caseload of students, including completion of all required paperwork, developing and implementing Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), running annual review meetings, IEP and goal/objective writing and completing progress reports quarterly.
• Adhere to state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates.
• Build relationships with caregivers, encourage their involvement and communicate with them regularly through Parent Square, phone calls, emails, meetings and progress notes.
• Work collaboratively and communicate as an active team member with building principal, special education Program Manager, general education teachers, BCBA, RBT, paraprofessionals, school adjustment counselors, and other staff.
• Attend professional development sessions as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Massachusetts Teacher of Students with Moderate and/or Severe Disabilities license (required).
• SEI Teacher Endorsement (required)
• Experience teaching in urban settings preferred
• A deep and abiding belief that all students can learn; a firm commitment to do right by all kids

Reports to: Building Principal, Special Education Program Manager

Salary: Commensurate with Malden Public Schools' Unit A teacher salary schedule

To Apply: Submit letter of interest highlighting qualifications for the position via School Spring