Job Summary: The Elementary Multi-Aged Classroom Teacher in a therapeutic setting is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and supportive learning environment for students experiencing trauma and exhibiting challenging behaviors. This teacher will work with students of varying ages and academic levels, using trauma-informed practices, individualized instruction, and social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies to meet both academic and emotional needs. The goal is to create a positive, therapeutic atmosphere that fosters academic growth, emotional healing, and behavioral regulation.
Key Responsibilities:
Classroom Instruction:
- Design and implement individualized, developmentally appropriate lesson plans for a multi-aged classroom.
- Use differentiated instruction to meet the academic needs of students at varying levels.
- Employ trauma-informed practices and restorative approaches to support emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily instruction to help students develop self-regulation, emotional awareness, and interpersonal skills.
- Utilize hands-on, experiential learning techniques to engage students and promote active learning.
Behavior Management:
- Implement positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) to address challenging behaviors.
- Work collaboratively with school counselors, psychologists, and other support staff to develop and implement individualized behavior plans (BIPs).
- Use de-escalation strategies, crisis intervention techniques, and conflict resolution to manage behavioral crises and restore a calm learning environment.
- Maintain clear expectations, routines, and boundaries to create a sense of security for students.
Trauma-Informed Care:
- Foster a classroom environment that is sensitive to the effects of trauma, providing consistency, safety, and predictability.
- Build trusting, supportive relationships with students, showing empathy, patience, and understanding.
- Recognize and address the unique needs of students experiencing trauma, offering appropriate accommodations and supports.
- Incorporate mindfulness, stress reduction techniques, and other therapeutic interventions to help students manage anxiety and emotional distress.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with special education teachers, mental health professionals, and other staff to create and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special needs.
- Communicate regularly with families to build strong home-school connections, offering resources and support to help families navigate trauma-related challenges.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to review student progress, adjust interventions, and ensure comprehensive care.
- Maintain accurate documentation of student progress, behavior, and interventions, providing regular reports to administrators and support teams.
Professional Development:
- Engage in ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care, SEL, and other relevant areas to stay informed about best practices in therapeutic education.
- Participate in school-wide training and initiatives related to mental health, behavior management, and restorative practices.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Special Education, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Valid teaching certification in Elementary Education or Special Education.
- Training in trauma-informed practices, SEL, or therapeutic interventions (preferred).
- Experience working with students experiencing trauma or behavioral challenges, ideally in a therapeutic or special education setting.
- Strong classroom management skills, with the ability to implement positive behavior supports and de-escalation techniques.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Patience, empathy, and a commitment to creating a healing and supportive environment for students.
Working Conditions:
- Full-time position with typical school hours.
- Classroom environment with occasional exposure to emotional outbursts or behavioral crises.
- Collaboration with a team of educators, mental health professionals, and support staff.
Salary: Based on education and experience, per district salary schedule.
