Special Education Teacher, Lower School

Perkins & Will; Watertown (SD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

HRA

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance

401(k) Plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Employee Recognition

Job summary

Perkins Lower School in Watertown, MA, seeks a dedicated Special Education Teacher for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. You will design personalized instruction, adapt materials, and assess progress to help every learner thrive in an inclusive, supportive classroom.

Collaborate with families, related service providers, and teams to implement IEP goals, promote independence, and track outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education and licensure eligibility for severe disabilities within 3 years
• Master’s in Special Education preferred with current teacher certification for severe disabilities
• Experience with students with visual impairments 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, 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

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Special education license eligibility

Master’s in Special Education

Severe disabilities certification

Experience with visual impairments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Master’s degree in Special Education

Severe disabilities licensure within 3 years

Enrollment in Special Education Masters program

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 a mission-driven community that supports your well-being at work and beyond. We are 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.