Cambridge is a vibrant, diverse city and a central hub and driver of the nation's innovation economy. Home of the renowned educational institutions of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is also the center of an impressive array of biotechnology, science, and information technology companies.

Educating about 8,000 students JK-12, the Cambridge Public Schools includes award-winning faculty, cutting edge technology, and innovative programs. While each of our public schools is unique, they are joined in a shared vision of rigorous, joyful, and culturally responsive learning plus personalized support for every student. Over 30% of CPS students speak a language other than English at home, and over 65 languages are spoken by our families. Among the most common are Spanish, Haitian Creole, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, and Portuguese. Our schools proudly embrace this diversity.

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 Office of Student Services is comprised of special education, 504 services and the office of advanced learning.

The Role:

• Provide systematic and explicit instruction to students in all subject areas.
• Demonstrate knowledge of researched based strategies and methodologies to address students with mild to moderate cognitive delays and/or deficits in communication, social pragmatics, emotional/social, and behavioral areas.
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant subject matter in the Massachusetts Frameworks for Math, Science, Language Arts, History and Social Studies.
• Adapt the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to individual student needs.
• Integrate technology within the instruction to increase student comprehension and interests.
• Organize, collect and maintain data to monitor student progress.
• Maintain easily accessible and accurate student files.
• Safeguard confidentiality of student records.
• Implement behavior management techniques; monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral support plans.
• Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal regulations governing Special Education.
• Consult and collaborate with general education staff, related service providers, and specialists around differentiated instruction, curricula and environmental modifications.
• Foster and support the inclusion of students into general education classrooms.
• Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students in inclusive classroom settings.
• Demonstrate ability to consult, collaborate and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Chair team meetings, develop and write Individual Education Programs (IEPs), write measurable goals and objectives, and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
• Attend parent/teacher conferences and provide quarterly progress reports.
• Actively involve parents in all areas of planning for their child's education.
• Administer and interpret formal and informal education assessments and prepare a comprehensive written report which reflects student's academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Provide paraprofessionals with specific instruction regarding their responsibilities with regular feedback on performance.
• Complete annual evaluations for paraprofessionals.
• Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities.
• Carry out other related duties as may be designated.

Your Skill Set:
As the incoming Preschool Teacher you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Special Education required.
• Required MA Certification: Early Childhood with/without Disabilities and/or Moderate/Severe Disabilities.
• Willingness to be trained and certified in (CPI) Crisis Prevention.
• Proven experience as a preschool teacher and/or experience with early childhood curriculum.
• Excellent understanding of the principles of child development and preschool educational methods, including supporting students with significant disabilities.
• Knowledge and/or experience with (AAC) Augmentative & Alternative Communication (moderate to high technology).
• Knowledge and/or experience with Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs).
• Knowledgeable in the IEP process.

How to Join Our Team :
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.