Adjunct Faculty in Special Education: Practicum or Independent Teaching Mentor

The Division of Special Education at Fresno Pacific University offers preliminary education specialist credentials in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, and Early Childhood Special Education. The division also offers the Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization and Master’s degree in Special Education. Program completers and graduates are well prepared and highly desired in the educational community in California’s Central Valley and beyond.

Mentors must have extensive, articulable experience in a range of classrooms and demonstrate a willingness to serve in a variety of educational settings as a mentor. Mentors must have demonstrated success serving in a special education setting which matches the credential held. Must be able to provide quantifiable and insightful feedback to candidates in a timely manner to support the candidate’s development as a teacher.

Must be able to exhibit sensitivity to a wide variety of teaching experiences.

Candidates range from seasoned teachers who are supplementing general education credentials to beginning teachers who have not maintained a classroom of their own for a year.

• Uphold ethical standards and incorporate evidence-based educational practices in alignment with relevant theories, research, and regulations.
• Embrace and respect cultural diversity, including differences in heritage, ethnicity, language, age, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and abilities or disabilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical theories, academic language development, and best practices for teaching English language learners.
• Assess and support students from diverse backgrounds with varying language, communication, and cognitive abilities.
• Utilize both formal and informal assessments to identify students’ needs and strengths.
• Understand the goals, content, and objectives of the adopted instructional program, especially for English learners, to ensure effective teaching and support.
• Exhibit a thorough understanding of typical and atypical human development, from prenatal stages to adulthood, and how developmental stages influence learning.
• Understand atypical development related to disabilities, risk factors, resilience, and protective factors, and how these impact learning.
• Implement systems for assessing, planning, and providing academic and social skills instruction to foster positive behavior in all students.
• Develop, adapt, and evaluate various pedagogical approaches, including instructional sequences, unit plans, and lesson plans.
• Apply strategies and best practices to create differentiated lessons and instructional sequences tailored to students’ diverse strengths and needs in various educational settings.
• Collaborate effectively in co‑teaching, consulting, and instructional teams to enhance curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities.
• Understand how children’s and adolescents’ decisions and behaviors can impact their health and safety.
• Demonstrate professionalism in attitude and behavior at all times.
• Exhibit effective coaching techniques to support student development and achievement.
• Work independently with minimal supervision and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Provide outstanding coaching and support to students and colleagues.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with the utmost care and professionalism.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students in an academic context that integrates Christian faith and learning.
• Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations, and support the ideals and practices articulated in The Fresno Pacific Idea.
• Other job duties as assigned.

• California special education teaching credential.
• Level II or Clear Education Specialist Credential from an accredited institution.
• Earned Master’s or Doctorate degree in special education or a closely related field.
• Commitment to the Christian faith and the University’s mission of Christ-centered teaching and learning and involvement in a local church.

• Special education classroom…