Special Education Teacher- Life Skills

Starting Date:
Aug 10, 2026

Full‑time position for the 2026-27 school year. The role is focused on teaching students with special education needs at Vancouver Public Schools Columbia River High School, Vancouver, Washington.

Primary responsibilities:

• Prepare and implement lesson plans.
• Integrate technology into planning, learning, and required record‑keeping activities, including IEPs using IEP.Online.
• Deliver instruction using the prescribed curriculum and accommodate individual differences.
• Implement effective teaching strategies related to the individualized learning needs and developmental stage of students.
• Teach students of varying abilities and build positive relationships with them.
• Maintain classroom discipline using effective management skills.
• Maintain appropriate student records and communicate progress to parents.
• Work as an effective member of the grade/content area team, staff, and community to evaluate and improve student learning.
• Provide supervision of students and perform faculty duties including student supervision.
• Engage technology in individual and collaborative learning activities.
• Treat co‑workers, supervisors, students, parents, and others with dignity and respect.
• Serve as a positive role model for students.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance and hours of operation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Valid Washington State teaching certificate appropriate for the assignment.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Successful teaching experience with special education students, preferred.
• Ability to develop and implement behavior intervention programs.
• Knowledge of effective intervention strategies, such as Discrete Trial, Structured Teaching, and Picture Exchange Communication System.
• Ability to coordinate a team consisting of staff assistants and/or community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral form.
• Enthusiasm toward teaching and student learning.
• Experience with employing a precise behavioral management system for students within a positive learning environment.
• Use appropriate disciplinary procedures, establish clear parameters for student behavior, respond properly when problems occur, and help students toward self‑discipline.
• Ability to assess needs of students, prescribe, and implement effective lessons to meet identified needs.
• Experience with implementing Health Care Plans and providing continuous support for students with medical conditions (including hygiene routines, tube feeding, Augmentative communication).
• Experience employing daily continuous measurement procedures for maintaining adequate and current progress records.
• Ability to utilize and evaluate interpretive feedback.
• Experience administering and interpreting a wide variety of diagnostic tools relevant to the students to be served.
• Familiarization with state standards and testing.
• Understanding of community services for 18-21 year olds.
• Ability to coordinate community work experiences for students as appropriate.
• Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse.
• Advanced ability to use technology as an effective communication, planning, and instructional tool.
• Willingness to participate in professional development courses aligned with the school and district initiatives.

• Salary range: $64,498 - $121,573 (includes Base & TRI enrichment; commensurate upon FTE, degree, credits and experience). Salary schedules can be accessed here.
• Additional Compensation:
  Certificated positions may have additional pay provisions above what is represented on the salary range such as TRI professional learning, extended year days, extra appendix E supplemental days, and professional development reimbursement. Detailed information, including eligibility criteria, can be found in the VEA CBA. Salary schedules can be accessed here.
• Benefits:
  Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be foundhere.
• Retirement:
  Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be foundhere.
• Time Off:
  Includes paid time off, sick, personal, religious, military and bereavement leave.
  • Sick Leave: 8 hours per month (part‑time employee accrual will be proportionate to their FTE).
  • Personal Leave: 3 days per school year
  • Detailed information, including accrual criteria can be found in the VEA CBA.

• Position Type:
  Day Shift
• Salary: $64,498 to $121,573 Per Year
• Job Categories:
  Special Education >
  Life Skills
• Location:
  
  Vancouver, Washington