Guest Teacher - Special Education Programming (SY26-27)

SYSTEM WIDE; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Holyoke Public Schools is seeking a Guest Teacher for Special Education Programming to provide instructional, behavioral, and classroom support in our substantially separate programs, including ABL and RISE. This role emphasizes flexibility, relationship‑building, and creating safe, structured learning environments across multiple classrooms.

The position requires at least 60 college credits, sensitivity to diverse learners, and commitment to equity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to establish positive, supportive relationships with students with diverse learning and developmental needs.
• Commitment to educational equity, inclusion, anti‑racism, and the academic success of all students.
• Ability to implement established instructional plans, follow classroom routines, and provide effective student supervision.
• Strong classroom management, communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to respond appropriately and professionally to challenging student behaviors and changing classroom needs.
• Willingness to support multiple classrooms and adapt to daily staffing and program priorities.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, sound judgment, and reliability.
• Willingness to participate in required Guest Teacher onboarding and specialized program training.
• Successful completion of district employment screening and applicable background check requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide flexible classroom coverage and instructional support across ABL and RISe classrooms.
• Implement lesson plans during teacher absences and follow schedules.
• Support whole‑group, small‑group, and individualized instruction using licensed staff plans.
• Assist with IEPs, BIPs, and student support strategies with qualified staff.
• Collect and document academic, behavioral, and student progress data.
• Complete Guest Teacher Reports and onboarding activities.

Skills

Ability to establish positive, caring

Commitment to educational equity

Implementation of instructional plans

Strong classroom management

Professional communication

Adaptability across multiple rooms

Confidentiality & professionalBoundari

Onboarding willingness

Background check clearance

Education

60 college credits

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Massachusetts DESE licensure or progress toward

Tools

AAC & assistive tech

Job description

Guest Teacher - Special Education Programming

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 4,800 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.

Holyoke Public Schools’ strategic plan , “Moving Forward Together,” builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students’ well‑being.

Many successes contributed to Holyoke’s return to local governance after 10 years in state receivership. These include:

• The highest graduation rate on record of 77.1 percent, an increase of more than 15-points over 10 years
• Meaningful, applied learning opportunities for high school students, including theme-based academies, career vocational technical education programming, work-based learning, and advanced coursework
• A comprehensive approach to early literacy that includes strong core instruction and one‑on‑one tutoring, contributing to more students reading at grade level
• A thriving dual language English/Spanish program, where nearly 900 students are on their path to becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural
• More than one-third of Holyoke teachers identify as people of color, a 19-point increase over 10 years. Many partnership programs support staff to earn licensure or additional certification.

Holyoke Public Schools is seeking dependable, flexible, and student‑centered Guest Teachers to provide instructional, behavioral, and classroom support within our substantially separate special education programs, including Applied Behavioral Learning (ABL) and RISE.

The Special Education Programming Guest Teacher serves as a flexible, building‑based resource, providing classroom coverage, supporting instructional continuity, and assisting teachers and paraeducators in meeting students' individualized academic, behavioral, communication, and developmental needs.

Unlike a traditional day‑to‑day substitute, this position is intended to provide consistent support across specialized classrooms and programs based on daily staffing needs, student needs, and administrative priorities. The ideal candidate demonstrates adaptability, strong relationship‑building skills, and a commitment to creating safe, structured, engaging, and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Support and Classroom Coverage

• Provide flexible classroom coverage and instructional support across ABL and/or RISE classrooms as assigned by school administration.
• Assume classroom instructional responsibilities during teacher absences by implementing established lesson plans, schedules, and instructional routines.
• Support whole‑group, small‑group, and individualized instruction using materials and plans developed by licensed instructional staff.
• Assist with implementation of specially designed instruction and individualized learning activities under the direction of special education teachers.
• Reinforce academic, communication, social‑emotional, adaptive, and functional learning skills.
• Utilize differentiated instructional strategies, visual supports, assistive technology, and alternative communication systems as appropriate.
• Maximize instructional time by actively engaging students in meaningful learning activities.
• Assist with classroom organization, instructional preparation, learning materials, and established classroom routines.

Behavioral and Student Support

• Support implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and individualized student support strategies as directed by qualified staff.
• Apply positive behavioral interventions, reinforcement strategies, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles consistent with training and student plans.
• Support students with emotional and behavioral regulation, communication, social interactions, and the development of independence.
• Assist with student transitions, inclusion opportunities, arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, and other instructional or school activities.
• Support students with mobility, personal care, and daily living routines as assigned and consistent with appropriate training.
• Assist in collecting and documenting academic, behavioral, and student progress data.
• Implement approved de‑escalation and safety procedures consistent with district training, policies, and student‑specific plans.
• Maintain active supervision and respond appropriately to student safety concerns and emerging classroom needs.

Collaboration and Program Support

• Collaborate with special education teachers, paraeducators, related service providers, behavioral specialists, and school administration.
• Provide additional classroom support during periods of increased student need, staffing shortages, or program transitions.
• Work across multiple classrooms and adapt assignments throughout the school day based on program priorities.
• Follow established instructional plans, classroom procedures, student support plans, and schoolwide behavioral expectations.
• Communicate student progress, completed instructional activities, concerns, and relevant follow‑up information to classroom teachers and administrators.
• Complete Guest Teacher Reports and other required documentation following classroom coverage assignments.
• Participate in Guest Teacher onboarding, relevant professional development, and specialized program training as directed.
• Maintain student confidentiality and adhere to district policies, special education procedures, and professional expectations.
• Promptly report student injuries, illnesses, accidents, significant behavioral incidents, or safety concerns to appropriate personnel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Building Principal or designee in accordance with district policies and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to establish positive, supportive relationships with students with diverse learning and developmental needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, inclusion, anti‑racism, and the academic success of all students.
• Ability to implement established instructional plans, follow classroom routines, and provide effective student supervision.
• Strong classroom management, communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to respond appropriately and professionally to challenging student behaviors and changing classroom needs.
• Willingness to support multiple classrooms and adapt to daily staffing and program priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, sound judgment, and reliability.
• Willingness to participate in required Guest Teacher onboarding and specialized program training.
• Successful completion of district employment screening and applicable background check requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
• Massachusetts DESE educator licensure or progress toward licensure.
• Previous experience working in substantially separate special education classrooms or specialized instructional programs.
• Experience supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, communication differences, or significant behavioral and learning needs.
• Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), positive behavioral interventions, and individualized behavioral supports.
• Experience implementing IEP accommodations, differentiated instruction, and student progress monitoring.
• Familiarity with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), visual schedules, and assistive technology.
• Experience in an urban school community and working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.
• Bilingual applicants, particularly those fluent in Spanish and English, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Expectations

The Special Education Programming Guest Teacher is expected to:

• Report to the assigned school and check in with administration for daily classroom and program assignments.
• Arrive prepared for student instruction and supervision, following the building's required reporting and preparation times.
• Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to provide support wherever needed within assigned special education programming.
• Maintain high expectations for student learning, engagement, safety, and belonging.
• Work collaboratively with licensed teachers and specialized support staff while maintaining consistency in student programming.

This position does not independently assume responsibilities requiring special education licensure, including IEP development, case management, or the independent design

Position Type

Position Type: Building-Based Guest Teacher (Substitute)

Location: Assigned School / Specialized Special Education Programming

Compensation: $105 < 60 credits;> 60 credits: $125 or $150 retired or licensed educator

Schedule: Per School Operational Plan

Reports To: Building Principal or Designee

Position Type: Full‑Time

Salary: $105 to $150 PD/TEMP

Equal Opportunity Employer

Holyoke Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national Origin, ancestry, age, sex, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity 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.

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Christie Elman , Director of Recruitment
• 57 Suffolk Street
• Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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