CARES Program (Grades K–5)
Paul F. Doyon Memorial School
The Paul F. Doyon Memorial School is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and collaborative Special Education Teacher to lead the CARES Program, a therapeutic classroom serving students in grades Kindergarten through 5 with significant social-emotional and behavioral learning needs. The CARES Program provides a structured, supportive, and trauma-sensitive environment designed to help students build emotional regulation, social skills, coping strategies, and academic success.
The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of social-emotional learning, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic classroom practices, with the ability to foster positive relationships and create a safe, predictable learning environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally.
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Develop and implement individualized academic and behavioral programming aligned with students’ IEP goals and Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
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Provide specialized instruction and therapeutic support for students with social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.
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Create and maintain a structured, trauma-informed classroom environment that promotes emotional safety, self-regulation, and positive peer interactions.
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Implement evidence-based behavioral and social-emotional interventions, including de-escalation strategies, restorative practices, and positive behavior supports.
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Collaborate with school adjustment counselors, psychologists, behavior specialists, related service providers, and families to support student success.
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Support students in developing coping skills, problem-solving abilities, self-regulation, self-advocacy, emotional awareness, and executive functioning skills.
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Monitor and document student progress, behavioral data, and intervention outcomes to inform instruction and support plans.
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Facilitate crisis prevention and intervention strategies when needed while maintaining student dignity and safety.
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Participate actively in IEP meetings, student support meetings, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
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Provide supervision, guidance, and support to paraprofessional staff assigned to the program.
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Maintain compliance with all special education regulations, documentation requirements, and district procedures.
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Massachusetts licensure in Special Education (Moderate Disabilities preferred).
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Experience working with students with social-emotional and behavioral challenges in an elementary school setting.
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Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), and social-emotional learning frameworks.
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Strong classroom management and crisis prevention/intervention skills.
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Experience developing and implementing individualized behavioral and academic supports.
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Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
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CPI, Safety Care, or similar behavioral/safety training preferred.
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Calm, patient, and relationship-centered approach.
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Ability to build trust and rapport with students and families.
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Strong problem-solving and reflective practice skills.
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Commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
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Flexibility, resilience, and a collaborative mindset.
The CARES Program at Paul F. Doyon Memorial School is a therapeutic classroom designed to support students in grades K–5 with significant social-emotional and behavioral needs. The program combines individualized academic instruction with therapeutic and behavioral supports to help students develop emotional regulation, positive coping skills, social competencies, and readiness for learning. The CARES team works closely with families and multidisciplinary staff to support each student’s overall growth and success.
