Job Description:
Special Education Co-Teacher
Position Title: Special Education Co-Teacher
Location: Polk Elementary School
Position Reports To: Director of Special Education and Related Services and
Building Administrator
Job ID: #2617
Internal Close Date: August 24, 2026
External Close Date: September 7, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: First day of school year is August 20, 2026
Required Certifications & Qualifications
Current State of Connecticut Teaching Certificate: #065; #165
General Scope of Function
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Special Education Teacher to join our elementary school team for grades 3-5. The ideal candidate will have experience working with students with diverse learning needs and be committed to creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment. The special education teacher collaborates with the general education teacher to plan, deliver, and assess instruction so that students with disabilities can meaningfully access the general education curriculum. This includes providing specially designed instruction, implementing accommodations and modifications from students' IEPs, and using data to monitor progress and adjust supports. The special education teacher also supports behavior and social-emotional needs, contributes to classroom management systems, and works with families and related service providers to ensure legal and instructional requirements are met
Essential Skills, Knowledge Performance Abilities
- Works to create a positive classroom and school culture
- Provides academic, social and emotional education and supports through the preparation and implementation of engaging, interactive lessons designed to ensure all students reach their potential
- Case manages the development and implementation of IEPs for assigned students
- Assists teaching staff in implementing students IEPs and behavior management plans
- Conducts diagnostic evaluations of students for the purpose of identifying learning issues and/or social-behavioral needs in order to recommend courses of action to maximize learning as needed during the duration of the position
- Observes, collects data, and evaluates students' progress toward achieving IEP goals and objectives
- Prepares/shares reports on students' performance
- Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents
- Implements effective behavioral strategies and techniques as needed
- Provides differentiated and integrated instruction for all academic content areas
- Works with all staff to modify and accommodate for students with special needs to facilitate their access to classroom instruction, activities, field trips, recreational opportunities, etc.
- Directs, schedules and assists in training paraprofessional staff to support students' learning
- Creates and coordinates student schedules with behavior technicians, paraeducators, related services providers and general educators
- Effectively works with a team of professionals in coordinating appropriate services
- Engages in continued growth through professional learning focused on best practices in successful programming for students with Autism or other developmental disabilities
- Implements evidence-based strategies that are effective in working with students with Autism or other developmental disabilities
Additional Duties
Perform all other duties that may be assigned by the Director of Special Education and Related Services and the Principal of Polk Elementary School
Terms of Employment
- 188 days
- Based on the working agreement between the Watertown Board of Education and the Watertown Education Association
All application materials must be submitted online, through Applitrack; should you have any difficulty in submitting your online application please contact (860)945-4813.
- District reserves the right to close the posting if a suitable candidate is found prior to the external closing date.