Boren K-8 - Special Education Teacher (Distinct) - 1.0 FTE

About the role

This position is assigned to the Distinct service pathway. To learn more about our special education service pathways, please follow this link to the SPS Special Education Department website: SPS Special Education Department website.

Responsibilities

• Fosters an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned special education students;
• Plans an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs;
• Prepares individual student lesson plans;
• Adapts and modifies programs and plans as necessary;
• Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the students and to the nature of the learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved;
• Attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for special education instruction;
• Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct;
• Provides guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct;
• Makes referrals for assistance where appropriate;
• Confers with students, parents or guardians, specialists and other staff: maintaining an open positive relationship as appropriate to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage student achievement;
• Establishes classroom goals and objectives appropriate to the special education student population and their individual education programs, following the rules and regulations governing special education, and in conformance with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines;
• Evaluates and records student progress;
• Prepares reports for parents or guardians;
• Directs the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel;
• Attends to or directs staff to attend to the physical, emotional, behavioral, medical, or hygienic needs of students as appropriate;
• Makes observations and notes regarding student behavior;
• Makes observations and notes regarding student academic progress;
• Monitors conditions and behaviors;
• Collects and interprets a variety of data;
• Develops, implements and evaluates individual education plans (IEP's);
• Provides reports for administrative purposes;
• Amends documents where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree;
• Academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population in an urban school system, and teaching reading and adapting instructional techniques and practices for special education students.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of subject areas appropriate to assignment;
• Effective behavior management techniques;
• Effective instructional techniques;
• Rules and procedures for student safety;
• Rules and regulations governing special education;
• Designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement;
• Adapting curricula and programs to meet the intellectual, social, physical and emotional needs of a population of special education students.

Other Functions

• Serves on staff committees as required.
• Participates in a variety of activities to enhance personal and professional skills.
• Performs related tasks consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position.
• Attends or participates in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the District and/or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement.

Working Conditions

• Required to deal with a wide range of student achievement and behavior;
• Required to deal with a range of student disabilities, the nature of which depend upon the program involved;
• Required to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize;
• May experience frequent interruptions;
• Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students;
• Potentially exposed to student bodily fluids and serious infectious diseases carried by students;
• In some positions the necessary and appropriate instructional methods may require specific positions and movements, and sufficient stamina and exertions, to demonstrate techniques properly for student safety, or to conduct or direct students;
• In some positions precautions may need to be taken to prevent or lessen exposure of self and/or students to various materials, fumes, equipment, cutting edges or hot surfaces;
• May be required in some positions to move, position, or lift students or their special equipment, to restrain students to attend to the personal hygiene of students, or to accompany students outdoors in inclement weather;
• May teach in a classroom without telephone communication.

Seattle Public Schools Benefits

Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click HERE for an overview of available benefit options. Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.

Salary Schedule

Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it HERE.

Endorsements

Please check ALL endorsement(s) that will appear on your Washington State certificate or will be added to your current or newly issued certificate by the position start date.

Displacement Status

Have you been notified by your supervisor or human resources that you are displaced for the next school year?

Contingency Contract

Have you received a binding contingency contract for the next school year?

Certificated Substitute

Are you a current Seattle Public Schools certificated substitute?

Contract with Another District

Are you under contract with a district other than Seattle Public Schools for the next school year?