SY20-21 Empowerment Zone Special Education (LINKS) Teacher

Grade Level: 6-8

This position is available in a substantially separate special education program classroom where methodology and best practices will be provided to support students with Autism, aligned with the goals and objectives outlined in the individual student IEPs. The special education teacher is responsible for lesson planning and implementing tasks to support student learning. Focus of instruction will include functional spontaneous communication, social skills, plays skills, cognitive development, and functional academic skills, along with proactive strategies to decrease challenging behaviors as well as incorporating a multisensory approach to learning. Lessons should be aligned with the Common Core and materials and activities should be presented individually, in small groups, and in large groups. Adult assistance, repetition and reinforcement will be the focus in order to promote success in the independent completion of tasks. Structured, consistent, and systematic approaches to learning will be utilized. Applied Behavioral Analysis approaches, including discrete trial training, incidental teaching, and pivotal response training are teaching methodologies utilized in the LINKS classrooms.

Teaching in SEZP

SEZP is seeking educators who are excited to work in a collaborative, engaging, diverse, and high energy environment. We are seeking team players committed to the SEZP mission, high expectations, and their own professional growth. SEZP teachers are expected to:

Create a safe, purposeful classroom environment that prioritizes learning

Collaborate with other teachers, instructional leaders, and partners to ensure instruction is meeting the needs of students

Assess students appropriately, analyze data, and determine appropriate next steps

Ensure that instruction meets needs of all students, including students with special needs and English Language Learners

Communicate regularly with families to solicit input and share academic progress

Participate in regular professional development opportunities before and during the school year

Qualifications

Experience teaching Special Education at the middle and/or high school level preferred

Appropriate content/program area educator license (severe disabilities or moderate disabilities) and grade level licensure (middle school) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education preferred

Experience as an active anti-racist or advocate for equity preferred

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

Bachelor's degree required

If you meet some of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply or to reach out for more information. We know that historically marginalized groups - including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ - are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

We encourage you to reach out to SEZP@springfieldempowerment.org mailto:SEZP@springfieldempowerment.org if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!

Benefits

SEZP offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience; salaries for new teachers start at $50,500. Teachers in SEZP qualify for benefits (personal/sick days, retirement, health insurance, etc.) offered to other teachers in the Springfield Public Schools.

In addition, there are several opportunities unique to SEZP schools to increase earnings above base salary. While not guaranteed, those opportunities currently include, but are not limited to:

Advanced and Master Teacher positions: These are awarded following an application process that typically takes place each winter, and come with salaries of up to $87,000

Expanded Learning Time stipends at some schools, based on the yearly schedule

Annual stipends for Capstone Projects associated with national-level professional development opportunities, following an application and selection process

Empowerment Academies: Intervention and instruction opportunities we implement during February, April, and summer breaks, following an application and selection process

Positions will be filled on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please contact sezp@springfieldempowerment.org with any questions.

About the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership

While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) - seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the more than 5,000 students in our eleven middle and high schools.

As a "zone" of schools within the city of Springfield, SEZP's approach draws on a deep and embedded partnership with the school district and local teachers' union, while harnessing the flexibility and innovation found in autonomous school models. As a result, each school within SEZP is accorded significant school-based autonomies - in curriculum, talent, calendar, schedule, and budget - while being held accountable for realizing achievement gains for historically marginalized students. In all of our work, SEZP is in pursuit of equity and anti-racism - acknowledging the systemic oppression our students and families encounter daily and working to disrupt these provision gaps urgently and courageously.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen O'Sullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 011103, 413-787-7100, ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen O'Sullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.



Primary Location: Empowerment Zone
Salary Range: Based on collective bargaining unit salary schedule
Shift Type: FT - Full Year

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