Teacher, Special Education (Therapeutic Substantially Separate Program)

Gardner-Public-Schools; Gardner (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Gardner Public Schools at Gardner Middle School in Gardner, MA seeks a Special Education Teacher for the Therapeutic Substantially Separate Program serving students with Emotional Disabilities. The role requires MA licensure for TE of Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities, ABA experience preferred, and an immediate start.

Salary ranges from $54,595.94 to $98,183.13 per year under the MTA/GEA contract. The teacher will write IEPs, collaborate with staff, and support students with

Qualifications

• Massachusetts license for teachers of moderate to severe disabilities.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• ABA experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meet state regulations for scheduling, facilitating, and writing IEPs and progress reports.
• Oversee daily schedules, behavior plan implementation, data collection, and ABA programming.
• Consult with related service providers and attend IEP meetings as indicated.
• Align individual programs with IEP and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
• Track progress using academic, functional, and behavior data.
• Provide progress notes for each marking period.
• Conduct assessments and evaluations as needed.
• Manage challenging students and implement de-escalation/behavior supports with BCBA collaboration.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicate with parents.

Skills

ABA Experience

De-escalation

Education

Massachusetts Professional License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities or Severe Disabilities

Master’s Degree Preferred

Job description

Teacher, Special Education (Therapeutic Substantially Separate Program)

Gardner Public Schools Gardner Middle School - Gardner, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5965093

Application Deadline: Oct 31, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Posted: Oct 20, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION: Special Education Teacher, Therapeutic Substantially Separate Program (See description)

The GPS Therapeutic Substantially Separate Programs are substantially separate programs. These classrooms serve students with Emotional Disabilities who require a highly modified curriculum, smaller class size, and a lower student/teacher ratio. The Therapeutic Substantially Separate classroom instruction is based on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis with support from a BCBA

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Massachusetts Professional License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities or Severe Disabilities
• Master’s Degree Preferred
• ABA Experience Preferred

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and the Director of Pupil Personnel Services

JOB GOAL: The Special Education Teacher is the Liaison for the students in the Therapeutic Substantially Separate program. This includes, but is not limited to; writing IEP’s, conducting assessments, maintaining ABA program books and other data collection procedures, graphing, writing progress reports, creating materials and visual supports, (academic, social, daily living and behavioral), embedding social skills and consulting to general education teachers and/or providing supports for students transitioning in the general education classroom.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide specialized academic instruction and learning for students who have an IEP; with various moderate to severe disabilities; oversee support services to students; direct the work of paraprofessionals

• Meet state regulations for scheduling, facilitating, and writing IEPs and progress reports and manage all aspects of special education compliance for assigned student caseload
• Provide direction and oversight to classroomRBT's regarding daily student schedules, behavior plan implementation, data collection, material development, and academic modifications/ individualized IEP objective ABA programming
• Regularly consult and collaborate with related service providers and attend consultation meetings as indicated in student’s IEPs
• Ensure individual programs for students including the type of instructional strategies, and frequency of services are aligned with IEP and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Track and Monitor students’ progress using academic, functional, and behavior data including data required for Massachusetts Alternative Assessment Portfolio (if needed for select students)
• Responsible for providing progress notes for students on an IEP during each marking period
• Conducts assessments and evaluations as needed and as determined by the special education coordinator
• Is able to manage challenging students that may engage in aggressions, profanity, spitting, or other forms of inappropriate or maladaptive behaviors
• Implements instructional and behavioral programs with support from BCBA including, but not limited to:
  • Discrete trail training
  • Data collection and graphing
  • Documentation and feedback
  • Instruction and de-escalation techniques that may require physical interventions and follow through
• Maintains high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and their records
• Facilitates participation of assigned students in peer activities, general classroom activities, and maintains contact with teacher(s) to monitor student progress
• Oversee communication with parents and outside providers
• Must be able to meet all requirements of restraint training and physically able to perform restraint

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintains professional licensure and competence by attending staff development programs, and other professional activities
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services or other appropriate administrator

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: School Year plus professional development days

SALARY AND BENEFITS: As per MTA/GEA contract

EVALUATION: As per MTA/GEA contract

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $54,595.94 to $98,183.13 Per Year

Contact Information

• Brian Cote , Principal
• Gardner Middle School
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]