Job Description

We are seeking a Special Education Teacher (focus: Math/Science) for our Therapeutic Day School, Orchard Street Academy!

• Do you see math and science in everything?
• Do you believe learning in STEM can change lives?
• Do you get excited by project-based learning?
• Do you want to work somewhere doing school differently?

Orchard Street Academy (OSA) is Assabet Valley Collaborative’s therapeutic middle and high school for students with a range of social-emotional and learning needs.

Assabet Valley Collaborative (AVC) is an educational service agency in Metrowest/Central Massachusetts. Our services include school programs, wraparound services, transportation services, professional development, cooperative purchasing, and consulting. We use a shared leadership model to engage stakeholders across the organization in learning, leading, designing, and decision making. To thrive within AVC’s innovative shared leadership model, team members must be self-reflective, embrace the value of partnering with others through complex challenges, and recognize the mutual responsibility of giving and receiving feedback.

AVC’s Commitments to Educational Equity are the vision for our future. To achieve our vision, we are committed to a continuous study of the principles of human-centered design, social innovation, cultural proficiency, and culturally responsive practices.

Math/Science Teacher Role Overview

We are looking for a teacher who serves as a leader and as a learner; a team member who is flexible, resourceful, and thrives in a fast-paced, non-traditional, collaborative environment. We seek team members who demonstrate a learning mindset and ability to receive feedback, self-reflect, and adapt. We seek a teacher who effectively facilitates the learning of others by pushing their thinking, building their skills, and sparking their self-reflection and curiosity. And, seeking a highly skilled educator with a passion to support many aspects of school-wide growth, including cross-curricular project-based learning and co-teaching.

JOB-Specific Details:

• I prep per day.
• Teach 4-5 varied year-long high school math and science classes aligned with the MA Curriculum Frameworks; content may change annually based on what courses our students need.
• Teach 1-2 varied semester-long high-interest electives that reflect personal passions, hobbies, expertise, or interests.
• Collaborate with colleagues to implement departmental and interdisciplinary learning projects and initiatives.
• Utilize instructional technology and assistive technology to strengthen student engagement and support differentiation.
• Design and implement curriculum to meet the personalized learning needs of students through individual, small, and whole group instruction.
• Foster the skills for students to become problem solvers and independent decision makers.
• Balance high academic and behavioral expectations with necessary accommodations and modifications.
• Partner with families/caretakers.
• Collaborate to develop IEP goals and to monitor and document progress on goals.
• Partner with paraeducators towards effective curriculum development and implementation of IEP accommodations.
• Utilize assessments and student learning data to measure progress and make adjustments to instruction.
• Adapt to the evolving needs of students and the school environment.
• Participate and engage in professional development, school-wide initiatives, and community events.

The ideal candidate will possess or demonstrate the following:

• Belief in the inherent brilliance of our students and their families.
• Strong instructional technology skills.
• Ability to thrive within a team while also being able to work independently.
• Strong foundation in social-emotional learning, trauma-informed, healing-centered, or restorative practice, and/or cultural responsiveness.
• Ability to engage with conflict or discomfort as opportunities for learning.
• Experience teaching neurodiverse adolescents in a variety of formats.
• Expertise/experience in special education.
• Bilingual or multilingual is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive a school van a plus.

Qualification Required:

• Massachusetts DESE licensure required in Moderate Disabilities 5th - 12th grade (preferred), or in one of the following content areas – Mathematics 8th-12th; a Science domain 8th-12th (Chemistry, Biology, Earth & Space Science, Physics or Tech/Engineering).
• Dual licensure is highly desired.

Schedule:

• 185-day schedule. Reporting hours: 8:00am-3:00pm. Summer hours are also available, but not required.

Physical Demands:

This is an active position that requires frequent physical movement to meet the needs of our students. Staff will receive training to physically intervene as needed per AVC Physical Restraint protocol, policy, and applicable regulations.

Competitive Benefits Include:

• Compensation competitive within public school educators (salary schedule with steps and lanes).
• School year (185 days) with additional summer hours available at additional compensation.
• 75% of health insurance premiums are covered by AVC.
• High deductible Health Insurance Plan + Health Savings Account (AVC contributes 50% of the deductible into your HSA).
• Participation in MA State Retirement or Teachers Retirement pension systems.
• Voluntary benefits: Health Savings Account, Life, Short-term, Long-term Insurance, and Dental Insurance.

For more information and to apply

Shared Leadership Statement: At AVC we believe that everyone in our community is a leader and learner who each possess inherent brilliance. We also believe that every community member has the ability and a responsibility to support the learning and growth of ourselves and others.

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