Grade Level: 6-8

Location: Springfield Realization Academy at Forest Park

Salary: $55,467 - $88,006 and commensurate with experience

Additional Compensation to be Determined:

$2,500-$10,000 relocation award for candidates from regions beyond western Massachusetts
$2,000-$5,000 signing bonus
$1,000+ extended day stipend
$2,000-$12,000 extended year stipends

JOB DESCRIPTION: TEACHER OF EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS

Springfield Realization Academy (SRA) is a new 6^th-8^th grade school within the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) in Massachusetts. We are a dual-language school that offers a technology enhanced college preparation curriculum embedding 21^st century learning skills. We are seeking a dedicated and competent educator for the position of Teacher of Exceptional Students. We currently have students in 6th and 7th grades and will accept another grade of students in the fall, when we will have our full complement of students in 6-8 grade. We are building a founding team of passionate, adaptive, and detail-oriented educators who are committed to equity in educational opportunities for children of underserved communities, and whose educational philosophy aligns with our mission:

Springfield Realization Academy (SRA) provides a technology enhanced, college preparatory curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of students in grades 6-8. Through effective instruction, including an emphasis on bilingual education, purposeful use of data, and in partnership with our families, we ensure our students develop the 21^st century learning skills to be successful in high school, college and beyond.

Job Summary

As a learning community, one of our foundational core beliefs is that student engagement with rigorous instruction and grade level content ensures academic success. In advancing that belief, we underscore the importance of our teachers and the need for them to be as effective as possible in meeting the needs of their charges. The importance of this core belief is especially relevant for our scholars with exceptional learning needs and scholars who have unfinished learning. The Teacher of Exceptional Students will ensure that scholars with exceptional needs are provided with all supports mandated by their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and necessary for their success. S/he will be responsible for teaching groups of students with mild or moderate disabilities. S/he will modify existing curriculum on basic subjects (e.g., math, writing) to meet each student’s learning requirements and build individual lesson plans tailored to their specific needs. The Teacher of Exceptional Students will also communicate with parents and support staff about important matters that might impede students’ progress.

Key Responsibilities

Develops and implements instructional plans which are compatible with the school and system-wide curricular goals and the students’ Individual Education Program.
Is responsible for the development of Individual Education Programs (IEP) for students with disabilities; implements the IEP; and uses diagnostic information obtained from tests and other assessment procedures to update IEP’s as needed.
Provides direct special education instruction to identified students.
Employs a variety of teaching methods to meet student needs. Implementation of these methods may require the adaptation or development of materials.
Monitors student behavior; maintains discipline in the classroom; deescalates inappropriate behaviors; teaches students appropriate behavioral strategies.
Communicates with parents regarding their children’s educational progress via periodic written progress reports.
Maintains student records in accordance with Massachusetts Procedures Governing Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities; and complies with state and federal education statutes.
Treats all students in a fair and equitable manner, interacts effectively with students, co-workers, parents, and community.
Follows a plan for professional development and demonstrates evidence of growth.
Ability to maintain basic files and records.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Performs other related work as required.

Key Competencies & Qualifications

Unwavering high expectations for all scholars and a belief that all children deserve access to a college education and can all thrive academically given the appropriate support.
Appropriate content/program area and grade level educator license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education required (Educators who are not yet licensed by MA DESE in the appropriate content/program area and grade level may be eligible for a licensure waiver and are still encouraged to apply.)
Positivity and enthusiasm for the potential of every scholar.
Ability to lead a classroom where excellence is expected and cultivated for all scholars
Ability to plan and implement lessons that are aligned with an inquiry-based and problem-solving approach
Ability to lead a class or assembly where excellence is expected and cultivated in 100% of scholars.
Strong communication, organization, and on-the-fly problem solving skills
Capacity and passion to grow every day based on data and feedback from coaches and peers.
Committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
Track record of being a team player and community minded.
Committed to personal learning and growth.
Excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
Passion for urban public schools.
Adherence to a high level of professional and ethical standards.
Minimum two years of urban teaching preferred
Bilingual in Spanish (spoken and written) preferred
Proficiency in technological tools, including Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Drive (or equivalents) and other online teaching tools

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 if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!

Benefits

Selection as an educator at Realization recognizes an individual for their outstanding vision, capacity, and commitment to anti-racist school communities. Educators joining the Realization community may be eligible for the following recruitment incentives, subject to personalized negotiation for individual candidates:

$50,500+ starting salary
$2,500-$10,000 relocation award for candidates from regions beyond western Massachusetts
$2,000-$5,000 signing bonus
$1,000+ extended day stipend
$2,000-$12,000 extended year stipends

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.