Special Education Teacher

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School seeks an educator to serve as its founding Special Education Teacher, who brings a deep commitment to the school’s mission and who possesses experience working in diverse schools with English Language Learners and students with disabilities. The Special Education Teacher will provide small-group instruction for a cohort of students with IEPs. This is an exciting opportunity to partner with teachers, families, and students at an innovative charter public school in the city of Worcester. We welcome candidates to apply who reflect the cultural diversity of the Worcester community.MissionWorcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School will provide students with rigorous, real-world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community, helping all students to become reflective inquisitors, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers. Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School’s mission is to educate, inspire, and uncover the inner genius of all learners through project-based experiences. In partnership with local cultural institutions, we will provide Worcester students with educational opportunities that match their varied learning styles and needs, and prepare them to be the cultural leaders of tomorrow.About the SchoolWorcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is opening in August 2023 and will serve students in grades K-4 during the 2023-24 school year. We are chartered for grades K-8. As an EL (Expeditionary Learning) Education school, we believe in hands-on learning that focuses on three levels of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work.Visit our school website www.WorcesterCulturalAcademy.org.QualificationsBachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.Massachusetts Special Education Teacher certification.Experience managing a caseload of students with IEPs.Have experience and a clear understanding of policies/laws affecting special populations, English Language Learners (ELL), and students receiving Special Education services.Demonstrated student-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive skills and practices.A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture.Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of students from the communities that we serve.Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including students, staff, and families across a range of identities.Well-organized, skilled at balancing competing priorities, and effective at multitasking.A decisive educator who can make difficult decisions taking into consideration the needs of students and the school community.Persistence in the face of obstacles, productive problem-solving to counter setbacks, and takes initiative to seize opportunities to make a change.Skilled at reflecting on how to improve, self-awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses, and willingness to take responsibility for actions and mistakes.Demonstrated commitment to developing pathways to increase staff diversity.ResponsibilitiesDuties include, but are not limited to the following:Lead small-group instruction for a cohort of students in grades K-4, and provide individual instruction for students who need additional assistance.Coordinate IEP reviews, evaluations, and related services in partnership with school-based staff, the Director of Special Education, the Department of Education, and families.Provide professional development opportunities for school-based staff on how to best support students with IEPs.Assess student progress, and communicate results to families and colleagues.Model and demonstrate a strong commitment to:the school’s vision and motivating others to do the same;the work of being an anti-racist school and experience leading diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives;student empowerment, and commitment to allowing students to play an active role in supporting the school’s vision and climate; anda “whatever it takes” spirit to ensure that each student is successful.Culturally responsive teaching practices.Show a passion for developing teachers’ capacities.Show a commitment to professional and personal growth through working closely as part of a team of teachers.Demonstrate enthusiasm for fostering teamwork and collaboration to support excellence in teaching and learning.Show a commitment to continually seek out perspectives across a range of identities and can respond appropriately to the perspectives of students, staff, families, and other stakeholders.Model a healthy work-life balance and support others to do the same.Join Our Adult CrewAt Worcester Cultural Academy, our faculty and staff collaborate and support one another and our students through a number of school-wide activities, events and celebrations. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and participate in these events, ranging from student and family orientation activities to celebrations of learning to graduation. We work together to support the safe and happy arrival and dismissal of our students, collaborate and plan together and use data to guide decision-making.We are intentional about engaging our faculty and staff in the development of the Academy and of themselves. School-wide professional meetings happen before the start of the school year and throughout.Compensation: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.​Application InstructionsTo apply for this position, email the following:Cover letter that addresses, but is not limited to the following prompts:What educational experiences are relevant to your interest in being a Special Education Teacher at Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School?Why are you interested in being a Special Education Teacher at a charter school that teaches through hands-on, project-based learning and is set in the city of Worcester?Describe how you envision infusing EL Education Core practices (https://eleducation.org/resources/the-core-practices-a-complete-list-with-links) throughout the school.ResumeWorcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.