SY 26-27 Physical Education Teacher & MTSS Wellness Specialist- Nahant

This position is at the Johnson Elementary School in Nahant, MA.

Physical Education Teacher & MTSS Wellness Specialist

Position Summary:

The Physical Education Teacher & MTSS Wellness Specialist is a unified, 1.0 FTE professional educator position. The successful candidate will split their weekly contractual hours between a physical education instruction (.4) and proactive student regulation and social-emotional wellness support (.6). Operating under a single Unit A contract, this role bridges physical health and behavioral wellness, utilizing the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. The specialist will collaborate directly with the school''s Principal, Director of Student Services, School Adjustment Counselor, Occupational Therapist (OT), nurse and the district''s contracted Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to foster a positive, supportive, and regulated school climate.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Physical Education Instruction (Approx. .4)
• Deliver high-quality, standards-based Physical Education instruction to assigned grade levels in alignment with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework.
• Assess student progress, maintain accurate grading records, and participate in standard parent-teacher conferences as needed.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and active gym/recreational environment.
• Plan and Facilitate yearly Field Day Activities preserving Johnson Elementary School culture and traditions.
• Collaborate with the school nurse to plan and facilitate a health and wellness curriculum.
• Other duties assigned by the Principal
• MTSS Tier 1 & Tier 2 Behavioral & Wellness Support (Approx. .6)
• MTSS Framework Implementation: Serve as a core provider within the school''s MTSS environment by delivering universally accessible Tier 1 environmental sensory resets and targeted Tier 2 small-group or individual self-regulation interventions.
• CASEL Alignment & SEL Integration: Integrate and reinforce the five core CASEL competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making) into daily student interactions and regulation room routines to directly support goals outlined in our JES School Improvement Plan.
• Capacity Building & Professional Development: Collaborate with admin (ie. Principal, Director, Supt.) and in consultation with other colleagues (ie. contracted BCBA, SAC, gen ed teachers, ESPs) to facilitate short workshops, share practical de-escalation strategies, or delivering Tier 1 SEL/MTSS training for staff professional development (PD) days, PLCs and/or staff meetings to build school-wide staff capacity assigned by the principal.
• Regulation Space Oversight: Create, manage, and supervise a structured, calming, and therapeutic environment (Regulation Room) for students requiring temporary sensory, behavioral, or emotional breaks.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration (OT Space Sharing): Co-navigate and manage the physical environment in partnership with the school's Occupational Therapist (OT). Coordinate to ensure sensory equipment is used safely, maintain a shared tracking system for sensory breaks, and consult with the OT to ensure room-wide setups support both therapeutic sensory diets and general behavioral de-escalation.
• BCBA Collaboration & Data Tracking: Partner closely with the district''s contracted BCBA to collect daily behavioral tracking data, monitor student utilization trends, and assist in the accurate implementation of school-wide behavior initiatives. (Note: This role is strictly responsible for intervention implementation and data collection; it is not responsible for the independent authoring or modification of formal Behavioral Intervention Plans/BIPs).
• Data-Informed Decisions: Participate in regular MTSS or Student Support Team (SST) data-review meetings. Alongside the BCBA and OT, collect and analyze regulation room usage data, ensuring students are moving effectively between tiers of support.
• Crisis De-escalation: Utilize approved district crisis prevention models (ie. Safety Care) to assist students experiencing acute emotional or behavioral dysregulation, ensuring a safe and rapid return to baseline behavior.
• Other Duties: assigned by the Principal

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Licensure: Valid and active Massachusetts DESE Educator License in Physical Education (PreK-8).
• Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Safety Training: Current certification-or immediate willingness to undergo district-sponsored training-in state-approved crisis intervention and physical restraint prevention protocols (ie. Safety-Care) in strict compliance with Massachusetts regulations 603 CMR 46.00.
• Behavioral Competency: Completion of (or willingness to complete within the first 60 days of employment) an approved 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training course to support data collection and collaboration with the contracted BCBA.
• Preferred Experience: Strong foundational understanding of the Massachusetts MTSS blueprint, data-driven decision-making, CASEL core competencies, and trauma-informed practices. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment alongside therapeutic specialists (OT, School Adjustment Counselor, Speech & Language Pathologist, School Nurse).

Why Johnson Elementary School?

Johnson Elementary School is a small, close-knit learning community where relationships matter. Our educators work collaboratively to ensure every student feels safe, valued, and successful. This position will be an integral member of a dedicated team committed to inclusive practices, positive school culture, and student well-being.

Bargaining Unit: Unit A (Teachers Contract)

FTE Status: 1.0 (Full-Time Equivalent / Salaried)

Reporting To: Principal Heather Castonguay, M.Ed.