Bailey Gatzert Elementary - Special Education Teacher (Distinct) - 1.0 FTE

About the Role

A special education classroom teacher performs under the general direction of the building principal or program manager, fostering and enhancing an effective learning environment for special education students. The role involves establishing and adapting learning objectives, providing instruction, counseling, disciplining, and supervising to meet individual student needs, and evaluating student performance and progress.

Responsibilities

• 40% Fosters an educational environment conducive to learning; plans and adapts instructional programs to meet individual student needs; prepares and modifies lesson plans.
• 15% Uses appropriate instructional methods and materials; implements adapted curriculum objectives; attends in-service training and pursues professional growth.
• 10% Establishes and implements classroom policies for student behavior and conduct; provides guidance, counseling, and discipline; makes referrals as needed.
• 5% Confers with students, parents, guardians, specialists, and staff to provide guidance, evaluation, and support for student achievement.
• 10% Establishes classroom goals and objectives aligned with individual education programs (IEPs); evaluates and records student progress; prepares reports for parents or guardians.
• 5% Directs non-certificated personnel; attends to students' physical, emotional, behavioral, medical, or hygienic needs as appropriate.
• 10% Collects and interprets data; develops, implements, and evaluates IEPs; provides administrative reports; amends documents as needed.
• 5% Attends required staff meetings and professional development activities; participates in committees and activities to enhance professional skills.
• Serves on staff committees; participates in activities to enhance personal and professional skills; performs related tasks consistent with the role.
• Attends at least one of two annual Special Education Compliance Professional Development days.

Requirements

Reports to the building Principal.

Knowledge

• Subject areas appropriate to assignment.
• Effective behavior management and instructional techniques.
• Rules and procedures for student safety and special education regulations.

Skills

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications.
• Effective communication with diverse communities (culturally, racially, and economically).
• Designing and implementing lesson plans for students with a wide range of achievement levels.
• Adapting curricula to meet intellectual, social, physical, and emotional needs of special education students.

Abilities

• Engage with students in a positive and confident manner.
• Work fairly and consistently with a diverse student population.
• Adapt to change and remain flexible.
• Organize activities and manage student behavior.
• Use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Provide instruction and demonstrate techniques.
• Use necessary equipment, computers, software, and tools.
• Direct assistants and, in some positions, administer first aid and CPR.
• Use non-verbal communication (e.g., sign language) or non-visual instructional techniques (e.g., Braille) where required.
• Address specific physical or emotional disabilities and associated conditions (e.g., severe behavior disorders).
• Attend to physical and hygienic needs of students.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and administrators.

Working Conditions

• Deal with a wide range of student achievement levels and behaviors.
• Handle a range of student disabilities, depending on the program.
• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
• Experience frequent interruptions and occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students.
• Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases or bodily fluids carried by students.
• In some positions, specific physical movements, stamina, or exertion may be required to demonstrate techniques or ensure student safety.
• May need to take precautions to prevent exposure to materials, fumes, equipment, or hot surfaces.
• In some positions, may be required to move, position, or lift students or their equipment; restrain students; attend to personal hygiene; or accompany students outdoors in inclement weather.
• May teach in classrooms without telephone communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Academic preparation or experience in teaching diverse student populations in an urban school system, including adapting instructional techniques for special education.
• Additional academic preparation or professional experience may be required for specific programs (e.g., bilingual education, dropout prevention, behavior change programs, or multi-level classrooms).
• Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement.
• Some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification or a valid Washington State driver’s license (or Class II driver’s license).

Benefits

Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours worked during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Employees scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year are eligible for benefits.