Essex Westford School District has an opportunity for a full-time Special Educator to join a dedicated team supporting students at Essex Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year. This position is currently a one year position but may have an opportunity for extension. Students require supports with communication, social behavior, cognitive processing, mobility, personal care, and self regulation. The overall goal of the program is to help students become as independent as possible in the school, the community. Students attend some classes within the special education program which are designed to enhance academics and build independence. Most students also participate in some mainstream classes.
The Special Educator will case manage, coordinate and implement effective and efficient interventions for special education at our Essex Middle School designed to meet the needs of assigned students, including academic needs, and effectively integrate students into the least restrictive environment. The position involves consultation and collaboration with SLP, OT, PT, and teacher teams, and evaluating and developing intervention programs with a focus on functional academics.
Candidates with the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:
- Hold, or eligible to hold, a valid VT Educator license with a Special Educator (3-82) or Consulting Teacher (3-85) endorsement. EWSD is committed to considering applicants with equivalent out-of-state licenses equally.
- Ability to task analyze specific skills, develop data collection systems, and make program decisions based on data.
- Strong math and/or literacy background desired.
- Experience working with students with autism and/or intellectual disabilities. Familiarity with trauma-informed classrooms/teaching desired.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Successful co-teaching experience desirable. Ability to coach classroom teachers on the use of effective instructional strategies that are inclusive and equitable to help ensure students success in the classroom.
- Successful small group teaching experience focused on functional academics and employment skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to the belief that all children can learn and succeed in school.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skill in implementing standards based curricula, differentiated instruction and formative assessment in a collaborative environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of MTSS and experience working in schools that have implemented this systems approach desirable.
- Experience implementing and developing behavior plans to build student independence and successful inclusion in the school community.
- Ability to build successful transition plans that promote success beyond high school.
EWSD is committed to considering out-of-state candidates who are eligible to hold a Vermont educator license but do not yet hold a license in this state. Folks with experience working in another country, the ability to fluently speak more than one language, peace corp experience, and/or otherworldly experience are encouraged to apply to help contribute to a diversity of thinking and grow our organizational practices.
EWSD is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and are expected to strengthen such capacity if hired. The EWSD vision is "Growing hearts and minds, for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one."