Occupational Therapist, Special Education/Adaptive Arts
4 days ago
Cambridge
Occupational Therapist / Adaptive Arts Special Educator Neuro-Affirming, Strengths-Based Summer Program (Boston Area) July–August 2026 | 3-6 Weeks | M–F 8:30am–3:30pm About the Program At Learners at the Center and CreatiVentures Collective, we are building a home for creative, inquisitive, intelligent, and sensitive learners. We are a neuro-affirming, strengths-based program designed for and by 2e, neurodiverse, and disabled people. Our work integrates therapeutic arts, STEAM, nature, literacy, and social-emotional learning in dynamic, universally designed environments. We are seeking thoughtful, creative, child-centered professionals to join our 2026 summer team. We Are Hiring • Occupational Therapists (OTR/L), • Adaptive Arts Educators/ Therapeutic Art Therapists, • Teaching Assistants/ Therapeutic Support Specialists, • Lead Instructional Architects, • Co-Teachers, • 1:1 or 2:1 Support Staff This is a contracted, on-site seasonal position in the Boston/Brookline, MA area. Candidates must commit to the full 6-week program (July–August 2026). Who You Are You are someone who: • Employs sensory responsive and sensory integration strategies, • Models, supports, and teachers pro-social behaviors and developmentally appropriate executive functioning, • Practices therapeutic co-regulation and thoughtful redirection, • Designs and guides proactive, responsive transitions, • Builds authentic, affirming relationships with children and colleagues, • Uses adaptive practices, assistive technology,, • Employs play-based, active and inquiry-based learning,therapeutic arts/ STEAM, • Uses intentional scaffolding and differentiation to ensure access, prevent cognitive under/overload, and ensure appropriate and meaningful challenges, • Exercises creativity, flexibility, and strong judgment, • Works collaboratively and communicates proactively, • Creates spaces of authentic belonging and honors diversity across socio-cultural, racial, economic, gender, orientation, neuro-type, ability identities, • Takes initiative and actively engaged with learners at all times, • Demonstrated ability to provide active, engaged supervision of students while thoughtfully managing complex interpersonal interactions, group dynamics, and evolving events throughout the day., • Participates fully in training, supervision, and reflective practice Preference for individuals with Mental Health First Aid training CPR/First Aid certified candidates. Professional ResponsibilitiesFor All Roles • Supervise and proactively manage groups of 8–20 children (ages 4–12), • Provide dynamic engagement during art, play, nature, literacy, and learning adventures, • Implement universally designed, differentiated programming, • Adapt access points for diverse learning styles and abilities, • Work the room — rotating support to ensure all students remain engaged and included, • Implement proactive and responsive classroom management, • Reinforce positive, child-specific strategies, • Support morning arrival, dismissal, and transitions Lead Instructors • Design and lead project-based, arts-integrated curriculum, • Weave visual arts, movement, theater, music, science, math, ecology, literacy, and SEL/EF learning throughout the day, • Provide active engagement and redirection, • Ensure access to instruction, • Implement individualized support and safety plans, • Provide co-regulation and de-escalation strategies, • Monitor and support assigned students at all times, • Minimum 4–8 years working with neurodiverse and disabled learners, • Experience leading youth programs and managing groups (8–15+ children), • Experience supporting children with neuro-developmental, socio-emotional, physical, and learning disabilities, • Strong group management and proactive supervision skills, • Experience leading child-centered integrative and project-based learning experiences We are ABA-free and psychiatry-free. We are not seeking psychiatry driven or ABA clinicians. Must pass CORI/SORI background check. Please email: with a cover letter describing your experience and interest, resume/cv. We also ask everyone to submit work samples such as lesson plans, video samples of lessons, student work; all participants will have opportunities for a second round to demonstrate their skills in an in-person demo lesson/activity or video submission. Compensation $20–$50/hour depending on