Special Education Teacher

:  The district seeks a qualified applicant to fulfill the responsibilities of 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher serving the Lopez Island School District. This position will provide services to students in grades K-12. The teacher is also part of an Evaluation Team (MDT) and is responsible for evaluation of new referrals, student assessments/evaluations, reports, direct instruction, progress monitoring, and reporting, consulting with staff and parents, attending IEP meetings, and training of paraprofessionals to provide support to students. Complies with state and federal regulations regarding special education. 

The Navigation Program supports students with disabilities who benefit from intensive behavioral and academic supports to fully access learning opportunities. Each student has a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and an individualized Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) designed to identify strengths, understand behavior patterns, and promote positive skill development. The classroom is structured to provide proactive strategies, instruction, and tools that support self-regulation, reduce behavioral barriers to learning, and increase engagement in instruction. Students receive individualized educational plans that build on their strengths, interests, and learning needs to support academic, behavioral, and social growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Determines and completes appropriate evaluation of referred students. 
• Provide direct service/instruction to students qualifying and/or on-going consultation to classroom teachers and parents. 
• Evaluate each referred student and regularly re-evaluate students receiving services. 
• Provide consultation to educational staff and parents. 
• Maintain appropriate records and charts of progress of students in the program. 
• Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team in making placement decisions and program recommendations. 
• Develop and implement Individual Education Programs and treatment plans including establishing goals. 
• Maintain communications with appropriate outside agencies and physicians. 
• Develop continuous measurement for evaluating student’s progress. 
• Determines educational significance of students learning deficits on impact of functional needs. 
• Provides intervention recommendations for implementation in the classroom and home. 
• Complies with all Medicaid rules and regulations.

Navigation Program Responsibilities:

• Implement student behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and positive behavior support strategies for students with social/emotional and behavioral needs.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques and preventative strategies to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Assist students in developing self-regulation, coping, communication, conflict-resolution, and social-emotional skills.
• Follow district policies and procedures related to crisis response, student supervision, restraint, and isolation, when applicable.
• Support the physical safety of students, staff, and others during behavioral crisis incidents.
• Communicate effectively with staff and families regarding student progress, behavioral concerns, and intervention strategies.
• Provide ongoing training with staff on de-escalation techniques, preventative strategies, and students’ individual behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
• Document and report to your supervisor all behavioral incidents.
• Work closely with BCBA or behavioral specialists in developing behavior intervention plans and collecting behavioral data.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have Washington State Special Education Certification (or ability to obtain before start date). 
• Maintain confidentiality per district policy and state and federal laws. 
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in using standardized assessment tools. 
• Knowledge of student eligibility guidelines and exit criteria. 
• Must be able to develop and implement appropriate interventions to achieve established goals and perform periodic re-evaluation to determine effectiveness of instruction. 
• Should have knowledge and/or experience in, or be willing to learn, developing Individual Educational Programs, including IEP Online. 
• Must have knowledge of and/or experience in use of best instructional practices.   
• Familiarity with a variety of disabilities including: autism, developmental delay, emotional behavioral disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, learning disabilities, multiple disabilities, and traumatic brain disorder.   
• Must be able to work as part of a team (of colleagues, educational staff, parents, etc.). 
• Must be able to communicate with a variety of individuals (i.e. parents, physicians, other staff, administrators, etc.) clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to manage time, establish schedule, and work independently. 

Must have a sense of teamwork, collaboration, and be willing to engage in continued development of the Special Services Department