Teacher Special Educator, Putnam Avenue Upper School

Job Description

Position: Special Education Teacher

Putnam Avenue Upper School / OSS

Putnam Avenue Upper School Community:

The Putnam Avenue Upper School is an innovative public middle school in the Cambridge Public Schools. We are looking for a dynamic, committed educator with solid content and pedagogical knowledge, solid classroom management skills, a deep commitment to social justice, and experience working in urban schools.

We are actively working towards becoming an antiracist school, and are taking steps towards identifying and dismantling racist structures, hearing and elevating underrepresented voices, and striving to achieve an equitable and just educational experience for all students.

The Office of Student Services:

The Office of Student Services (OSS) is responsible for providing a variety of supports and services to students in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Our programs are dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students with disabilities and students who have advanced learning needs.

The Opportunity:

The Special Educator is responsible for providing specially designed instruction to students with disabilities in both general education and separate settings. The Special Educator will work collaboratively with general education, special education, and related services staff to ensure that students with disabilities have positive educational outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Provide direct special education services to students with disabilities
  
• Provide explicit instruction and/or support in reading/literacy, math, written language, and social-emotional behavior
  
• Progress monitor student mastery of IEP goals and objectives using various assessments and data collection tools
  
• Develop Individualized Education Programs for students based on various types of data specific to the students' present levels of functioning and performance
  
• Provide instruction to students using systematic, structured, and multisensory approaches to learning
  
• Collaborate with general education, special education, related services, and staff
  
• Administer formal and informal assessments and analyze data to inform decisions regarding IEP goals/objectives, learning approaches/content, and support
  
• Accommodate and modify for student learning and support the general education teacher with the implementation of appropriate accommodations in the general education setting
  
• Any related duties as outlined by the Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Director, and/or Coordinator of the Office of Student Services
  
• Ensure implementation of the student's Individualized Education Plan
  
• Ensure effective collaboration with families, community supports/services, related service staff, and general education teachers
  
• Ensure effective instruction and support for students with disabilities
  
• Other duties as assigned

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Special Educator, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Broad knowledge and experience of programs and services specific to students' areas of eligibility (i.e., autism, academic, behavior, learning, etc.)
  
• Broad knowledge of state eligibility requirements
  
• Above-average skills in collaboration
  
• Excellent skills in oral and written communication
  
• Demonstrated ability in collaborating and supporting parents and families
  
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve
  
• Demonstrated understanding of inclusive educational practices, including various co-teaching approaches
  
• General knowledge of various formal and informal assessments to monitor student progress and skills
  
• General knowledge of state and federal special education guidelines and requirements
  
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college/university in Special Education required, Masters preferred, concentration in learning disabilities preferred
  
• Massachusetts Certification of students with mild/moderate special needs, PreK-8 or 5-12 required
  
• Experience teaching or student teaching in an urban school setting
  
• Specialized training/certification in a foundational reading program such as Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading

How to Join Our Team:

Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.