Therapeutic High School Teacher - Bilingual English/SpanishPosition Description:Shore Educational Collaborative is hiring a Therapeutic Special Education Teacher to support high school students in a therapeutic educational program designed to meet the individualized academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities.
The teacher in this position will work with individual or small groups of students on individualized, flexible instruction designed to re-engage them in their education. The students typically have gaps in education due to school avoidance and other mental health concerns. Schedules may vary for each student. This program has a significant focus on Community Coaching
This position is in our Harbors program in Cambridge. The Harbors program focuses on re-engaging students in their education following significant gaps. The highly individualized nature of the program, with flexible schedules and learning modalities, allows students to take ownership of their learning through what interests them.
In Harbors, schedules are created collaboratively with the student's team, and are revisited frequently with the goal of increasing student engagement over time. In addition, the team works together to create and implement an educational path that aligns with both district requirements and student interest.
Harbors uses an experience-based learning model that provides rigorous, authentic educational experiences, helping students develop academic, personal, and college- and career-readiness skills. Through community-based coaching, therapeutic support, and individualized instruction, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and practical experiences needed for future success while taking ownership of their learning.
Teachers in this program will expected to teach all subjects.
Responsibilities include: - Develop and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction, adapted to meet the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of students in a therapeutic setting.
- Identify students' strengths, needs, and interests in order to create meaningful and motivating learning experiences.
- Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs), including instructional modifications, accommodations, progress monitoring, and data collection.
- Differentiate instruction for small-group and individualized learning environments while supporting students with a wide range of learning profiles and behavioral needs.
- Utilize trauma-informed, restorative, and therapeutic classroom practices to create a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
- Establish and maintain classroom systems and behavioral supports that promote emotional regulation, engagement, and positive peer interactions.
- Collaborate regularly with related service providers, families, and school staff to ensure student needs are met consistently across settings.
- Support students in developing executive functioning, self-advocacy, communication, and future-readiness skills.
- Develop opportunities for experiential, project-based, and community-connected learning that increase student engagement and real-world application of skills.
- Complete and maintain all required documentation in compliance with local, state, and federal special education regulations.
- Maintain knowledge of current special education practices, therapeutic approaches, and instructional strategies through ongoing professional development.
- Celebrate student growth, achievements, and milestones while fostering a classroom culture grounded in dignity, belonging, and high expectations.
Qualifications: - A flexible, collaborative, and innovative mindset around education is essential to success in this position.
- Current DESE licensure in Moderate Disabilities strongly preferred. Candidates with other DESE licensure (High School) who are willing to pursue the appropriate licensure will also be considered.
- Candidates must have strong prior teaching experience to be considered for this role.
- Experience working with students with social-emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health challenges preferred.
- Experience with project-based, experiential, or therapeutic learning environments preferred; openness to these approaches is required.
- Strong classroom management, relationship-building, and communication skills are essential.
Salary range: $63,696.50 to $123,531, commensurate with experience and education. View our salary schedule here.
Teachers in Educational Collaboratives participate in the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System.
All school staff who may be expected to manage behavior must obtain and maintain certification in Shore's approved behavioral safety training program (Safety Care or equivalent). These skills are essential to ensuring the safety of all program participants and staff, and to meet state and federal requirements related to the safe implementation of behavior intervention plans.
