Salary: $63,000-$90,000

Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4pm

The Head Teacher will supervise a classroom of up to six students and all assigned classroom staff, creating a supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment. In this role you will conduct assessments, design and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) and progress reports and collaborate with the classroom behavior specialist and consultants. You will also lead and mentor a team- creating schedules, running team meetings, and ensuring consistency in student support and individualized learning.

The Darnell School is a program of Advocates and is a 221-day-per-year ABA school program serving students ages 9-22 with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or behavioral challenges. Our mission is to teach, support and empower people with disabilities to live meaningful lives based on their needs and choices. We offer spacious classrooms with ample opportunity for community skill-building, relationship development and recreation.

Learn more about The Darnell School here: https://darnellschool.org/

Advocates promotes a healthy work-life balance and offers many generous perks of employment and room for advancement.  We are a close-knit community that values ideas and contributions from staff.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Small, tight-knit program with only four classrooms
• Paid holidays, school vacations, and flex time
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision plans
• 401(k) with employer match
• Free BCBA supervision for those pursuing certification
• Financial assistance for employees pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education and the attainment of a Massachusetts State Teaching License in Severe Disabilities
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional support
• Exclusive discounts with partner organizations (BJ’s, AAA, and more)
• We will support your education and career development by providing you with the resources needed to advance

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. 

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated. 

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

• Supervision and oversight of up to six students
• Conduct and write educational, behavioral and vocational assessments
• Use assessment results to write and implement students individualized education plans (IEP)
• Design, develop and/or modify student programming
• Collect and record data for IEP goals using an electronic data collection system and/or paper data
• Review and analyze data to measure student progress to write IEPs and progress reports
• Plan and implement instruction and teaching strategies that match students’ IEP goals and objectives
• Implement behavior support plans and appropriate behavior management techniques
• Develop portfolios for MCAS-Alt assessment and/or administer MCAS
• Supervise and train classroom staff
• Create daily schedule for staff and students
• Lead weekly classroom staff meeting and decision log meetings
• Collaborate with families on students programming, behavior specialist, lead classroom assistants, OT, SLP, or PT consultants, and outside providers as needed
• Transport students in the community, as needed
• Maintain certifications and applicable teaching license or demonstrate progress towards teaching license

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field
• Licensure:

• Must be actively pursuing a Massachusetts State Teaching License in:
• Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8 or 5–12) or
• Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
• Candidates working toward licensure may be eligible for a DESE waiver if they meet progress criteria, which is defined as:
• Enrollment in a Graduate-level DESE-Approved Educator Preparation Program
• Actively taking courses or completing practicum hours in a program that leads to licensure

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Licensure: Current MA State Teaching License in Moderate or Severe Disabilities
• A minimum of 3-years of relevant experience
• Understanding of and training in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Experience working with children with autism, developmental disabilities, or other behavioral challenges

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview or hiring process, please contact Human Resources.