Itinerant Special Education Teacher, Functional Academic Classroom - Continuing

Special Education Teacher

Position and location will be reviewed annually in consideration of enrollment numbers, program, and district need. The teacher of special education assumes responsibility to create an educationally supportive instructional environment appropriate to the needs of students with disabilities and eligible for Special Education who are assigned to their caseload. The teacher works collaboratively with the special education team to reach consensus and ratify decisions of evaluation findings and eligibility for services;

develop IEPs in academic content areas, as well as behavior, life skills, and transition pursuant to the evaluation report; implement an instructional program for these students; and collect data and document progress on the written goals. In addition, the special education teacher will be responsible to clearly and appropriately communicate regarding special education goals and services with families, general education teachers, and other professionals, as appropriate.

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Develop and implement IEPs that address student strengths and needs as well as align to state standards
• Develop lesson plans and instructional materials/activities
• Translate lesson plans into learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Instruct eligible special education students in content areas, as outlined in students' IEP and consistent with program requirements and district curriculum goals
• Assist in developing positive support plans and behavioral intervention plans
• Demonstrated professional training and/or successful prior experience including one or more of the following: inclusion services, pull-out programming, and/or self-contained programming
• Demonstrated knowledge of a range of disabilities; their impact on education and student learning; and strategies for instructional support
• Demonstrated knowledge of the physical, psychological, and social characteristics of students
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to implement federal, state, and district requirements for providing free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities
• Collaborate with and include families in the IEP process
• Communicate student progress to students and families
• Demonstrated knowledge of general education content area curriculum
• Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain a positive classroom environment through the use of appropriate guidance, discipline, and classroom management techniques consistent with current research and best practice
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of current technology with a multimedia approach to instruction
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individual students involved
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, establish rapport, and work effectively with children, families, staff, community members, and administrative personnel
• Serve as a consultant for school and district staff
• Provide instruction in a variety of settings including large groups, small groups and individual students as appropriate
• Train and provide immediate supervision to instructional para educators
• Assume responsibility for safe and proper use of materials, equipment, and facilities, ensuring student safety
• Evaluate and document student performance growth on goals and content areas; keep accurate and complete records as required by law, district, policy, and administrative regulation; prepare progress reports
• Collaborate with and share strategies to support student success and achievement with families, teachers, other educators, and community organizations
• Advocate for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
• Analyze data to identify student needs and challenges
• Advocate to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students
• Provide transitional services to students and parents
• Organize and prioritize daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for timely work completion
• Participate in building- and department-level and special education meetings
• Actively participate in department meetings, staff meetings, and trainings
• Actively participate in district/building Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
• Maintain highest degree of confidentiality, per FERPA guidelines
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Each position in a building and within the district-wide student support services team serves as one unit of the whole team.

Knowledge of:
Current trends in the field of special education teaching; current general education and instructional support curriculum and activities for elementary and/or secondary students, depending on assignment; OSPI rules and regulations regarding teacher certification, along with the OSPI Code of Professional Conduct and generally recognized professional practices. Demonstrated…