SECONDARY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER(S) 2026-27

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive and compliant Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Plan and provide specially designed instruction in accordance with students’ IEP goals, and monitor progress with ongoing data collection.
• Develop and implement individual behavior plans informed by functional behavioral assessment data.
• Work cooperatively with regular education teachers, paraeducators, and other student services staff; including consulting, providing services in general education classrooms, and co-teaching.
• Center instruction on high expectations for student achievement by establishing a culture for learning, providing clear communication with students and engaging students in learning.
• Demonstrate effective teaching practices through use of effective questioning and discussion techniques and reflection on teaching.
• Identify individual student learning needs and develop strategies to address those needs.
• Provide clear and intentional focus on subject matter content and curriculum through knowledge of content and pedagogy, setting instructional outcomes, knowledge of resources and designing coherent instruction.
• Foster and manage a safe, positive learning environment through creating an environment of respect and rapport, managing classroom procedures, student behavior and organizing a safe physical space for student learning.
• Use multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning.
• Design student assessments, use assessment in instruction, and maintain accurate student records.
• Communicate and collaborate with parents and the school community through effective and ongoing communication.
• Exhibit collaborative and collegial practices focused on improving instructional practice and student learning.
• Participate in a professional community, grow and develop professionally and demonstrate professionalism.
• Establish student growth goals to ensure student growth over time.
• Direct the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel.
• Attend or participate 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 development.
• Participate in site-based decision-making processes.

Requirements

• Possess or qualify for immediate issuance of a valid Washington State teaching certificate with a special education endorsement.
• Ability and willingness to transfer, toilet, and feed students.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment preferred.
• Experience working with medically complex students preferred.

Skills

• Skills in oral and written communication.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work with other members of a school or department to accomplish common goals.
• Ability to perform in accordance with applicable board policies and district and legal requirements.
• Commitment to equity through culturally relevant teaching practices through the design and implementation of instruction and high expectations for all students.
• Provides high quality instruction through knowledge of differentiated instructional practices and data-driven instructional decision-making.
• Ability and skills necessary to individualize instruction.
• Commitment and ability to work with a full range of students including gifted, mainstreamed special education, English language learners, and students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Ability to develop students’ technology literacy.
• Ability to work in a collaborative or team approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, collaboratively and positively with students, parents, and colleagues, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with students in multi-aged groups.
• Ability to use varied assessments, including performance tasks, portfolios, and student self-assessment.
• Attends ongoing professional development activities, such as college course work, professional associations, workshops, and in-service opportunities.
• Exhibits a strong and positive attitude with the belief that each student can be taught and has the right and capacity to achieve personal academic excellence.
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with applicable board policies and district and legal requirements.
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.