Background on Southbridge Public Schools:

Southbridge Public Schools serve approximately 2,200 students in six schools. The district is presently undergoing extensive turnaround at all levels, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This creates unique opportunities for teachers and students. One example is a recently announced, long-term partnership with the University of Connecticut to develop Southbridge Schools to be a national demonstration site for successful implementation of PBIS strategies. Additionally, our district is the recipient of a number of significant grants that are allowing us to creatively redesign Secondary School, curriculum enhancements, improved culture and climate and afterschool opportunities for students. If you feel strongly about improving the educational experience for students and have a commitment to social justice, Southbridge Public Schools welcomes you.

More information about the district’s turnaround efforts can be found here.

Reports To: Building Principal

Primary purpose: 

• Create a flexible elementary grade program and a class environment favorable to learning and personal growth
• Establish effective rapport with students
• Motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for elementary grade education in accordance with each student’s ability
• Establish positive relationships with parents and other staff members.

Responsibilities:

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Develops physical education programs for all students in school
• Develop daily lessons aligned with Southbridge’s Physical/Education/Heath curriculum in collaboration with leadership team members
• Collaborate to plan and produce content-driven special events like Field Day
• Creates rules and materials lists, monitors equipment
• Participate actively in Southbridge’s coaching and professional development programming
• Assist with school programming as needed during non-instructional time
• Runs therapeutic activities in groups designed to help build trust and create team building, increase personal responsibility and positive interactions with others, to problem solve and help change behavior
• Uphold high academic and behavioral expectations for students
• Provides group behavior management skills
• Engages in de-escalation techniques to avoid incidents; discusses and debriefs incidents and problem solves with student/class
• Interacts with students positively and supportively
• Utilizes behavior modification strategies
• Participates in own performance process
• Possess knowledge of age-specific growth and development
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS-REQUIRED:

1. Education:  Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution;
2. Hold a valid Massachusetts Teaching License in Physical Education, PreK-8 
3. Hold a valid Massachusetts SEI Endorsement OR Grade-level appropriate ESL License;
4. Meet all state and federal guidelines in order to be fully licensed and Highly Qualified;
5. Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS-PREFERRED:

1. Experience in urban, high-poverty, and/or turnaround schools
2. Additional certification in Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities and/or English Language Learners (ESL);
3. Demonstrated experience in English Language Development (ELD) and Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) strategies strongly preferred;
4. Bilingual language proficiency (Spanish/English) strongly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.