Teacher - Elementary Special Ed Life Skills Self-Contained @ Elementary

Special Education Teacher

The Special Education Teacher plays a vital role in providing high-quality, individualized instruction and support to students with disabilities, ensuring their academic, social, and emotional success. This position requires a deep understanding of state and federal regulations regarding special education, as well as a commitment to inclusive practices and equity for all learners. The teacher will develop and implement effective instructional strategies, collaborate with staff and families, and create a safe, positive learning environment that fosters student growth and independence.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including para educators and specialists, the Special Education Teacher is responsible for designing and delivering instruction tailored to students' unique needs, including those with multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and behavioral challenges. The teacher will also be responsible for developing and maintaining compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), using IEP Online and other tools to monitor and report student progress.

This role requires strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. The ideal candidate will be skilled in research-based instructional and behavioral practices, data-informed decision-making, and differentiation. A commitment to professional growth and a passion for serving diverse student populations are essential.

This is a dynamic position requiring flexibility, organization, and a growth-oriented approach to ensure all students receive a rigorous, supportive, and meaningful education.

• Bachelor's degree or post-graduate work in Special Education. Master's degree preferred.
• Valid Washington State teaching certificate with endorsement in Special Education.
• Care certified or willingness to obtain certification.
• Understand current state and federal laws pertaining to the education of children with disabilities.
• Trained or experienced in working with students with multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or behavior challenges preferred.
• Skilled in teaching academics, behavioral interventions, social behavior, and working with parents.
• Demonstrated understanding of research-based instructional strategies and assessment practices that support effective instruction.
• Recent successful experience working with educators in demonstrating and modeling effective instructional strategies and assessment practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs of diverse learners and strategies for addressing these needs.
• Experience working with diverse learners, including children of families in poverty preferred.
• Experience writing IEPs and Behavior Plans using IEP Online.
• Maintain integrity of confidential information relating to students, staff and district patrons.
• Evidence/demonstration of use of technology to enhance student learning or willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and commitment to follow through on tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with students, teachers, school administrators, support personnel, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

Centering instruction on high expectation for student achievement by:

• Communicating expectations verbally and in writing for learning and achievement.
• Consistently conveying rigorous expectations to students and parents.
• Demonstrating how results impact daily instruction.
• Conducting learning activities that are aligned to lesson objectives and priority standards.

Demonstrates effective teaching practices by:

• Effectively utilizing research based instructional practices.
• Aligning instructional behaviors with best practices of the learning process.
• Remaining current in content related pedagogy.
• Structuring and pacing to the appropriate level of the learners.
• Utilizing questioning that requires higher level thinking skills.
• Clearly articulating directions and teaching necessary procedures in order for students to be successful.
• Effectively modify curriculum and differentiate instructional practices to support student learning.

Recognizes individual student learning needs and develops strategies to address those needs by:

• Knowing and utilizing intervention strategies under the appropriate conditions.
• Differentiating the learning activities to address the developmental characteristics of his/her students.
• Demonstrating a persistent attitude that all students can learn.
• Communicating the individual needs of students.
• Communicating clear learning targets.
• Providing a student friendly lesson and unit structure.
• Ensuring instructional materials and resources are aligned and appropriate for the learning target.
• Activating prior knowledge to support learning.
• Identifying the critical content to be taught within the time…