K8 Special Education Life Skills Teacher

HB3187 NOTICE: NVSD complies with HB 3187. Prior to completing an initial interview, NVSD does not request or require disclosure of the applicants age or date of birth or when the applicant attended or graduated from any educational institution, except when such information is required to: (A) Affirm that the applicant meets bona fide occupational qualifications; or (B) Comply with any provision of federal, state or local law, rule or regulation. To these ends we ask that applicants do not provide such information as part of their application or attached materials.

Position Title: K8 Special Education Life Skills Teacher

Reports To: Building Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: Licensed Salary Schedule

General Description

The K-8 Life Skills classroom provides services to students whose IEP demonstrates a need for functional communication, social, motor, and adaptive skills development that are commensurate with their cognitive level of functioning. Skills are developed with significant adult support through individualized strategies such as:

• Functional applied academics
• Functional daily routines- assisting in eating, toileting and hygiene
• Adaptive skills to increase students access their environment
• Motor skill development
• Communication and social skill development
• Support of physical and medical health care needs
• Community based instruction
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required:

• Valid Oregon teachers license with appropriate special education endorsement and grade level authorization.
• Knowledge of state and federal special education regulations and procedures with regard to referral, identification, evaluation, placement and provision of a free, appropriate education.
• Familiarity with a variety of instructional, assessment and behavior management strategies that reflect current research on best practices.
• Familiarity with state standards and curriculum frameworks.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism and effective human relations.
• Ability to effectively manage and supervise students and their work.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and collaboration efforts with staff and community.
• Valid Oregon Drivers License preferred.
  
  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Performs some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

• Meets the standards of Competent and Ethical Performance as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 584-020-000 to 584-020-045).
• Create and model a respectful learning environment.
• Annually pass the Districts required online training by the Districts assigned due date.
• Follow District protocol for reporting absences.
• Plan and implement a program of study and/or specially designed instruction following state and district goals, curriculum, and requirements to students identified with a broad range of disabilities.
• Consult with regular education teachers to adapt/modify regular classroom curriculum.
• Serve as case manager for services to students upon placement in the Life Skills program.
• Participate in and facilitate the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible students with disabilities ensuring that each IEP complies with all state and federal requirements including mandated deadlines.
• Ensure that eligibility and IEP meetings are scheduled, ensure that all mandated participants have been invited and are in attendance, and conduct meetings efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Inform parents/guardians of due process rights.
• Collaborate with school staff to develop and implement behavior support plans and to monitor student progress toward goals of positive behavior.
• Manage time to complete required special education paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Observe special education processes and requirements including progress reporting, data collection, and other procedural work.
• Maintain accurate, complete and confidential records as required by law and district policy and administrative regulations.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with diverse student, staff and community populations.
• Train and coordinate work of Instructional Assistants.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication with school staff and with parents/guardians concerning academic and behavioral progress of students.
• Utilize technology as related to job responsibilities.
• Reflect upon own teaching and performance and accept and implement supervisory feedback to improve skills and services to students.
• Take primary responsibility for pursuing and evaluating professional growth.
• Attend and participate in Special Education and building staff meetings, and district in-service meetings.
• Work collaboratively with school personnel in meeting diverse social and academic needs of students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Terms Of Employment

Salary and work year to be according to the current negotiated contract.

Evaluation

Performance of this job is evaluated in accordance with provisions of Board policy.

Workplace Expectiations

• Attendance and Punctuality: The employee has regular attendance at work and work activities and is punctual in meeting deadlines, attending meetings, following schedules, and responding to communications.
• Confidentiality: The employee maintains the integrity of confidential information relating to a student, family, colleague, or district patron. The employee uses or relays personal information only in the course of performing assigned responsibilities and in the best interest of the individuals involved.
• Following policies and directives: The employee follows all district policies, rules, regulations, memos, bulletins, announcements, applicable job descriptions and reasonable requests by proper authorities.
• Setting appropriate boundaries with students: The employee maintains professional boundaries in his or her relationships with students, including the use of appropriate language, appropriate physical contact, and in the use of technology.
• Collaboration: The employee maintains relationships with other staff members that are characterized by mutual support, cooperation, and respect and that build a culture of collaboration focused on student learning.
• Appropriate use of technology: The employee uses the internet, email, and electronic communication in compliance with Nestucca Valley School District Acceptable Use Policy and Administrative Rules.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The incumbent must possess a normal degree of flexibility; the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for long periods of time; to kneel on one and two knees and then stand up; to bend the trunk at 45 and twist to either side; to grasp firmly; to raise the hands above the head; and to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills. The incumbent must be able to observe multiple students across large and small physical spaces and attend to individual students needs while ensuring that other students are not unattended. The incumbent will need to walk quickly at times, and assume various physical postures associated with instruction and caring for students, including:

• Sitting
• Running
• Pushing and pulling
• Toileting
• Feeding
• Restraining a student
• Lifting up to 75 lbs.
• Bending, stooping, twisting, kneeling, reaching
• Speaking and hearing often in a noisy environment
  
  

Potential exposures include but are not limited to: blood-borne pathogens; aggressive behavior from students; cold and hot temperatures; and inclement and severe weather. The environment includes working with students who have unique needs. Some students require significant physical assistance, others may demonstrate hostile and violent behaviors. Travel to multiple sites may be required. Occasional attendance at meetings or activities outside of the normal worksite may be required.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time, as it deems advisable.

Nestucca Valley School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of NVSD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment.

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Officer at 503-392-3194 x408 for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.