Special Education Teacher

Archbishop Damiano School • Full-time • Westville, New Jersey, United States • $60k - $70k / year • 9h ago

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (48-Week Position)

Reports To: Assistant Principal/Executive Director

About Archbishop Damiano School – Westville, NJ

Archbishop Damiano School (ADS) serves students ages 3–21 with multiple disabilities through individualized educational programming that supports academic growth, communication, independence, and life readiness.

We are a mission-driven school community where compassion, collaboration, structure, and high expectations come together to support exceptional learners.

Position Summary

Archbishop Damiano School seeks a dedicated and skilled Special Education Teacher to join our instructional team. This role is ideal for an educator who thrives in a collaborative, student-centered environment and is committed to supporting learners with diverse academic, developmental, communication, and behavioral needs.

Classroom assignments may vary across programs based on student and school needs; successful candidates demonstrate the flexibility and skill set to support learners across developmental levels while fostering a structured, engaging, and supportive classroom environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Special Education Teacher will:

Design and deliver individualized instruction aligned with NJDOE standards, student IEPs, and functional learning goals.
Create and maintain a structured classroom environment that promotes engagement, communication, independence, and positive student outcomes.
Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning, sensory, developmental, and behavioral support needs.
Implement positive behavior supports, proactive classroom management strategies, and de-escalation techniques as appropriate.
Support student growth across academic, social-emotional, adaptive, and daily living skill areas based on individualized programming.
Collaborate effectively with paraprofessionals, related service providers, and administrators to support cohesive classroom instruction.
Utilize assistive technology, augmentative communication systems, and instructional accommodations, when appropriate.
Monitor student progress, maintain required documentation, and actively participate in IEP meetings and interdisciplinary planning.
Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and instructional supports.
Contribute to a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Participate in professional development, school events, and other duties aligned with the needs of the school.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

Successful candidates typically bring:

Strong classroom leadership and the ability to establish structure while building meaningful student relationships.
Experience supporting students with varying communication, behavioral, and learning needs.
Confidence managing classroom teams, including collaboration with paraprofessionals and related service providers.
A calm, flexible, and solution-oriented approach in dynamic classroom environments.
The ability to balance compassion, consistency, and high expectations in supporting student success.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
Valid New Jersey certification as Teacher of the Handicapped (TOH) or Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) required.
New Jersey instructional endorsement in Preschool through Grade 3 (P–3) or Elementary K–6 required, consistent with DOE requirements.
Experience supporting students with developmental, communication, and behavioral needs in structured educational settings preferred.
Experience implementing positive behavior supports and structured classroom management practices preferred.
Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and organizational skills.
Successful completion of the New Jersey Department of Education Criminal History Background Check required.

Work Environment

This position supports students with a range of individualized needs. Depending on classroom assignment, students may benefit from communication supports, behavioral interventions, sensory regulation strategies, mobility supports, or functional/adaptive programming. Teachers are supported through collaboration, training, and interdisciplinary teamwork to be successful in these environments.

Compensation & Benefits

48-week full-time position aligned with the ADS school calendar
Salary range: $60,000–$70,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications, education, and relevant experience.
Benefits eligibility after 60 days
Single health coverage fully covered by the school
PTO/Sick Time Bank
403(b) Retirement Plan
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option
Professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Archbishop Damiano School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating an inclusive and respectful workplace for all.