Special Ed Teacher

Arbor Associates; Lancaster (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Arbor Associates in Lancaster, MA is seeking an Elementary Special Education Teacher for a full-time contract placement at a therapeutic day school. This role welcomes new and early-career educators, with a focus on trauma-informed practices and building strong student relationships.

You will plan lessons aligned with MA standards, develop IEPs, collaborate with clinicians and school leaders, and support students emotionally, socially, and academically in a structured, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Newly licensed or recently credentialed Special Education Teacher in Massachusetts.
• Trauma-responsive practices knowledge preferred.
• Willingness to learn in a supportive, human-centered environment.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with students and foster a creative, nurturing, and structured classroom community.
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons aligned with grade-level academic standards and the Massachusetts DESE Curriculum Frameworks.
• Support students academically, socially, and emotionally — preparing them for transitions to post-secondary education, vocational opportunities, or return to their local school district.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized education plans (IEPs), tailoring instruction to each student's unique strengths and challenges.
• Collaborate daily with a multi‑disciplinary team including clinicians, teachers, and school leaders to support whole‑student success.
• Model and teach self-discipline, respectful behavior, and positive community membership.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher assistants across multiple settings.
• Contribute to program safety and continuity by assuming additional responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

IEP development

Collaborative teamwork

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Massachusetts teaching certification

Job description

Elementary Special Education Teacher — New & Early‑Career Educators Welcome

Location: Lancaster, MA

Salary Range: $35.00 – $45.00 / hour

Employment Type: Full‑Time Contract — Monday through Friday, 37.5 hours per week, year‑round

JOIN OUR TEAM

Are you a newly licensed or recently credentialed Special Education Teacher ready to put your training into practice in a meaningful, supportive environment? Are you looking for a role where your compassion, creativity, and commitment to students are genuinely valued from day one? Arbor Associates wants to hear from you. At Arbor Associates, we are more than a staffing agency — we are deeply committed to the communities we serve. For nearly 40 years, we've been a trusted leader across Southern New England, connecting dedicated education professionals with programs where their work truly matters. We are seeking an Elementary Special Education Teacher for a full‑time contract placement at a therapeutic private special education day school in Lancaster, MA. This school serves students with diverse social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, and learning needs — and it is one of the most rewarding places a new special educator can begin their career.

Here’s what makes this opportunity stand out:

• Year‑round placement — consistent work and income, no summer gap
• Small, therapeutic setting — you'll make a real difference with a focused caseload
• Multi‑disciplinary team — you won't navigate challenges alone; clinical and educational staff work side by side
• Structured, supportive environment — ideal for a new educator who wants strong scaffolding as they grow
• A school that builds on student strengths — you'll see progress, and it will matter

THIS ROLE IS A GREAT FIT IF YOU ARE…

A compassionate, collaborative, and resourceful educator who recently earned your Massachusetts teaching certification and is ready to launch your career in special education. You understand — or are eager to learn — trauma-responsive practices, and you approach every student with unconditional positive regard. You want to teach in a setting that challenges you academically, supports you professionally, and gives you the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work every day. You don't need years of experience. You need a genuine commitment to students, an openness to learning and reflecting alongside colleagues, and the resilience to thrive in a dynamic, human-centered environment.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with students and foster a creative, nurturing, and structured classroom community.
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons aligned with grade-level academic standards and the Massachusetts DESE Curriculum Frameworks.
• Support students academically, socially, and emotionally — preparing them for transitions to post-secondary education, vocational opportunities, or return to their local school district.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized education plans (IEPs), tailoring instruction to each student's unique strengths and challenges.
• Collaborate daily with a multi‑disciplinary team including clinicians, teachers, and school leaders to support whole‑student success.
• Model and teach self-discipline, respectful behavior, and positive community membership.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher assistants across multiple settings.
• Contribute to program safety and continuity by assuming additional responsibilities as needed.