Special Education Teacher, 3-5 Resource Room - Longfellow Elementary School

TITLE: Special Education Teacher/Case Manager, 3-5 Resource Room - Longfellow Elementary, 26-27 SY

Join our Longfellow Team! Portland Public Schools seeks a highly qualified special educator at Longfellow Elementary School to support special education students in grades 3-5. The Special Education Teacher is responsible for overseeing the delivery of services in students' Individual Education Plans and providing specialized instruction in alignment with IEP's to ensure that each student progresses in meeting IEP goals and reporting and communicating data to all constituencies. Candidates should have familiarity with K-5 curriculum, strong relationship-building skills, and a collaborative, data-driven approach. Candidates should have experience with Restorative Practices, PBIS or similar frameworks that support students' social and emotional growth and learning as well as knowledge of intervention practices to support students academic growth. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide evidence-based Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) to students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) to ensure that each student progresses in meeting the district's learning benchmarks
• Serve as case manager and oversee each student's IEP, ensuring compliance with requirements in the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations-Chapter 101 including timelines related to the IEP process and IEP development.
• Provide evidence-based specially designed instruction to students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) to ensure that each student progresses in meeting the district's learning benchmarks- monitoring and sharing data, and input into Acuity
• Collaborate with regular education teachers, ed techs, and service providers (speech therapists, OT, PT, social workers, etc.) regarding educational needs, accommodations and modifications
• Administer academic achievement assessments for initial referrals and other reviews as needed
• Attend meetings, professional development and in-service training

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to develop working knowledge of PPS curriculum, techniques for integrating curriculum, PPS policies, and effective instructional practices
• Ability to develop and deliver standards-based, specially designed instruction (SDI) across curricular disciplines and grade levels
• Ability to lead therapeutic, instructional team via collaborative processes
• Understanding of the teaching/learning process for students with disabilities, specifically students within the functional life skills classroom
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education
• Ability to infuse technology into curricula
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office and school based staff, students, parents and community
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills
• Willingness to reflect on personal implicit bias and a commitment to challenging personal perspectives and deepening self-awareness
• Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from an accredited college or university
• Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience are welcome
• Portland Public Schools values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Teacher Certificate with Endorsement 282 (Teacher of Children with Disabilities, K-6 or K-8) (more info)
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info) **
  • **if you already have an active teacher certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your teacher certification

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Permanent
• Reports to: School Principal
• Contract: Part of PEA union (see 2025-2028 CBA here)
• Salary: Based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

ABOUT LONGFELLOW:

Located in Deering Center on Stevens Avenue, between Deering High School and Lincoln Middle School, Longfellow Elementary School is a PK–5 school serving approximately 250 students. We are committed to academic excellence, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, while fostering a strong sense of belonging for every member of our community. Our Longfellow community is supportive and collaborative, with a shared goal of ensuring that every student feels included, valued, and empowered with the tools and strategies they need to be successful.

We prioritize explicit, systematic literacy instruction and data-driven practices in grades K–2, and implement EL Education across K–5 alongside Illustrative Mathematics to promote inquiry, engagement, and deep understanding. Professional collaboration and coaching are central to our work. Each staff member participates in multiple teams, including administration, special education, multilingual/intervention/RTI, and instructional coaching, to support continuous growth and student success.

Our school is grounded in a strong commitment to equity and anti-racist practices. We center restorative approaches, honor multilingual learners as assets, and engage in ongoing reflection and dialogue around identity and bias. As part of Portland Public Schools, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for both students and staff, with meaningful opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, leadership, and belonging.

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.