Emerson Elementary - Special Education Teacher (Focus) - 1.0 FTE

About the role

This position is assigned to the Focus service pathway. A special education classroom teacher fosters and enhances an effective learning environment, establishes and adapts learning objectives for special education students, provides instruction, counsels, disciplines, and supervises to meet individual student needs, and evaluates student performance and progress.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of: Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management and instructional techniques; rules and procedures for student safety; special education regulations.
• Skill in: Reading, writing, and oral communication; designing and implementing lesson plans for diverse achievement levels; adapting curricula for intellectual, social, physical, and emotional needs of special education students.
• Ability to:
  • Engage with students in a positive and confident manner, including those from culturally, racially, and economically diverse backgrounds.
  • Adapt to change, organize activities, and manage student behavior.
  • Provide instruction, demonstrate techniques, and use necessary equipment, computers, or software.
  • Direct assistants; administer first aid and CPR (in some positions).
  • 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, such as severe behavior disorders.
  • Attend to physical and hygienic needs of students; establish positive working relationships with students, parents, staff, and administrators.

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 experience may be required for specific programs (e.g., bilingual education, dropout prevention, behavior change programs).
• Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with Special Education Endorsement.
• Some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification or a Washington State driver’s license (or Class II license).

Working Conditions

• Deals with a wide range of student achievement levels and behaviors, as well as various disabilities depending on the program.
• Handles multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizes work, and may experience frequent interruptions.
• May work with distraught or difficult students and be exposed to infectious diseases or bodily fluids.
• In some positions, may require specific physical movements, stamina, or exertion to demonstrate techniques or ensure student safety.
• May need to take precautions to prevent exposure to materials, fumes, or equipment; may lift, position, or restrain students or their equipment.
• May attend to personal hygiene needs of students or accompany them outdoors in inclement weather.
• Some classrooms may lack telephone communication.

Benefits

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 administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB).