Occupational Therapist, Special Education/Adaptive Arts at Learners at the Center

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
• Develop creative, interdisciplinary learning experiences
  

Teaching Assistants

• Provide active engagement and redirection
• Ensure access to instruction
• Support group flow and student regulation
  

Therapeutic Support Specialists / 1:1s

• Implement individualized support and safety plans
• Provide co-regulation and de-escalation strategies
• Monitor and support assigned students at all times
• Integrate child-specific therapeutic tools within program flow
  

Required Experience

• 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: [email protected] 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