Bridge SPED Teacher: 18–22 Transition & Life Skills

Salem Public Schools; Salem (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Salem Public Schools seeks a Special Education Teacher for the Bridge Program (18-22) at Salem High School. The role centers on providing a school-to-adulthood experience aligned with each student’s vision and IEP goals, within an inclusive setting and with support from a collaborative team.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing IEPs, delivering specialized instruction for ADL and transition to adulthood, and coordinating with a transition team to ensure accessible learning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's preferred.
• Massachusetts special education certification is preferred but candidates from related background will be supported.
• SEI Endorsement required within 1 year of start date.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to meet MA standards.
• Safety Care Training certification provided by district; training will be offered.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized instruction enabling students to engage in the community and develop transition skills.
• Ensure accommodations are delivered consistently.
• Plan and monitor student progress; transition students in/out of activities.
• Evaluate academic and social development using formal and informal measures.
• Develop IEPs and behavioral interventions with SMART goals.
• Collaborate with team to document progress and communicate with families.
• Write and present progress reports and interpret standardized evaluation results.
• Maintain data-taking routines and monitor student progress with services staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Tech proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Massachusetts special education certification (preferred)

SEI Endorsement (required within 1 year)

Job description

Special Education Teacher - Bridge Program, 18-22 Post-High, Salem High School[SY 2025-2026]

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Overview

The Bridge Special Education Teacher is a vital member of a collaborative team at Salem High School. This team is focused on providing students with an authentic school-to-adulthood experience that is directly aligned with each student's vision and abilities. This role involves teaching students in a substantially separate transition program for those aged 18-22, within an inclusive school and community setting, with instruction and service delivery dictated by their IEPs.

The Special Education Teacher collaborates and consults with a team that includes a Transition Coordinator, Assistive Technology Specialist, paraprofessionals, a Behavior Specialist, BCBA, and other support specialists to ensure every student receives a fully accessible learning experience.

The program has access to on-site vocational and ADL skills spaces. Students have opportunities for supported work and recreation experiences within the school building and community, including a student café, a teaching apartment, a school store, an independent leisure space, and a kitchen. These resources facilitate functional skill development in a supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

The teacher will assume oversight of programming for students and is responsible for aspects of student planning and progress monitoring:

• Provide specialized instruction that enables all students to successfully engage in the community, including Activities of Daily Living (ADL), work exploration, and transition to adult skills.
• Assure that documented accommodations are delivered with consistency.
• Transition students in/out of activities.
• Evaluate students' abilities in basic academics and social development using formal and informal measures.
• Use innovative approaches and instructional strategies to support students in their vision for transition to adulthood.
• Develop and implement IEPs and behavioral interventions.
• Demonstrate ability to write an effective IEP with SMART goals and sensible accommodations, and generate progress reports using IEP software.
• Demonstrate ability to administer, interpret, and report findings from standardized evaluations.
• Present evidence of student progress toward goals and objectives in a professional manner during special education meetings.
• Work with the classroom support team and services staff to develop data-taking routines and monitor student progress.

Collaboration and Teamwork

The role requires consistent collaboration to ensure student success:

• Work collaboratively across school and community settings, with parents, and various community agencies to improve the quality of student outcomes.
• Provide clear and consistent parent communication.
• Work with paraprofessional staff to ensure a consistent, high-quality program for students.
• Participate in professional learning communities and job-alike sessions.
• Perform additional duties as appropriate, assigned by the building Principal, Special Education Supervisor, or Executive Director of Special Education.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (required); Master’s Degree preferred
• Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in special education is preferred but will support candidates coming from a related background.
• Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement (Required within 1-year of start date)
• Ability to meet the expectations of the Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice
• Safety Care Training Certification (District will provide training)
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with technology is desirable.
• Second language (Spanish and/or Portuguese) proficiency a plus
• Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply
• Current authorization to work in the United States

Work Year: Teachers in Salem Public Schools work a 185 day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days. Please click here to view the 2025-26 district and/or school calendars.

Salary: Teacher salaries in the Salem Public Schools are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement (see new 2024-27 language with updated salary information here).

Benefits: The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits to all full-time employees. Click here for more information about our health benefits.

This position reports to the assigned Special Education Supervisor, the building Principal and the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.