Special Education Teacher, Lower School

Perkins School for the Blind; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Health Reimbursement Arrangement

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employer-Paid Life & Long-Term DIS

401(k) Plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement day one

Paid Time Off

Employee Recognition Programs

Job summary

Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, seeks a Special Education Teacher for the Lower School to deliver customized instruction for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. You will design engaging lessons, adapt materials, and assess progress—helping every learner thrive.

You’ll collaborate with families and related service providers, develop measurable IEP goals, and support inclusion while maintaining a safe, supportive classroom.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education with ability to obtain severe special needs license within 3 years.
• Enrollment in a Special Education Masters program is required.
• Master’s in Special Education with current certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver customized, measurable short and long term educational goals for students’ IEPs.
• Adapt environments and materials to fit student needs.
• Use engaging strategies to motivate learners.
• Collaborate with families, related service providers, and teams.
• Support inclusion and independence for every student.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive classroom and track progress.

Skills

Create IEP goals

Adapt instruction

Collaborate with families

Assess student progress

Classroom management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Severe special needs license within 3 years

Special Education Masters program enrollment

Master’s degree in Special Education (preferred)

Job description

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

Perkins Lower School serves elementary and middle school-age students with visual impairments, blindness, and multiple disabilities. Our program blends academic learning with real-world experiences, sparking curiosity and helping students understand their place in the world.

Here, education goes beyond the classroom. Students build daily living skills, communication, and travel confidence—essential tools for greater independence. We focus on the whole child, nurturing both academic growth and social-emotional development.

Your Impact as a Special Education Teacher in Lower School:

In this role, you’ll create and deliver personalized instruction for students with multiple disabilities, including visual impairments. You’ll design engaging lessons, adapt materials, and assess progress—helping every learner thrive.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and deliver customized, measurable short and long term educational goals for students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Adapt environments and materials to fit student needs
• Use creative, motivating strategies to engage learners
• Collaborate with families, related service providers , and teams
• Support inclusion and independence for every student
• Maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive classroom
• Set clear goals for success, track student progress, maintain records, and adjust instruction based on ongoing observations and assessments

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education and the ability to obtain severe special needs teacher license within 3 years of employment. Must currently be enrolled in a Special Education Masters program.
• Master’s degree in Special Education with a current teacher certification in severe special needs is preferred.
• Prior experience with students with visual impairments preferred.

The following shared salary range is what Perkins reasonably expects, in good faith, to pay for the position. The applicable range could differ based on experience and qualification.

$55,523.60-$96,029.42

Perkins offers a comprehensive benefits package for part time and full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Wellness programs available.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employer-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Education Benefits: Tuition reimbursement day one
• Paid Time Off
• Extras: Employee Recognition Programs, EAP, legal services, referral bonuses, credit union access, pre-tax MBTA passes and more!

Perkins is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. View the Perkins Notice of non-discrimination.