Special Education Teacher, Beach Program (Self-Contained ASD) - Ocean Ave Elementary

TITLE: Special Education Teacher, Beach Program (Self-Contained ASD) – Ocean Ave Elementary

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

Portland Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified special educator for a specialized program based at Ocean Ave Elementary School. This specialized district offering—called the Beach Program—serves students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or other neuro-developmental and communication disorders in grades K–12. The program is designed to support these students in learning to function as independently as possible by strengthening and building academic and adaptive skills, functional communication, and positive behaviors. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide systematic, evidence-based programming  to address characteristics of ASD that are interfering with the success of students in the program, in collaboration with other professionals such as the SLP, OT, PT and BCBA
• Provide evidence-based instruction, grounded in the district curriculum, to students with disabilities to ensure that each student progresses in meeting the district's learning benchmarks
• Provide specially designed instruction to students in the program, based on their Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• Consult with general education teachers and any other professionals on a regular basis, regarding the educational needs, accommodations, and modifications in the general education setting of students in the program
• Serve as case manager and oversee each student's IEP, in compliance with all requirements in the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations-Chapter 101:
  • Conduct each student's annual and 3-year review IEP meetings
  • Communicate regularly with parents and serve as the liaison between parents and school personnel/resources as needed
  • Schedule IEP meetings in coordination with the compliance secretary
  • Assess student achievement during the school year and prior to annual and 3-year review IEP meetings
  • Prepare a draft IEP with present level of educational performance and measurable goals (including objectives, if the student has an alternate assessment) to present to the IEP team
  • Make changes as needed and write the final IEP
  • Enter and update student IEP data into a database to ensure that all students are recorded within Portland Public Schools
  • Write Written Notice
  • Conduct progress monitoring of students' IEP goals (and objectives) and write progress notes and reports to reflect student progress
  • Ensure that all special education programs and services are scheduled correctly
• Lead regular program team meetings
• Manage schedules and create lesson plans for educational technicians who work in the program
• Review records, observe, and provide feedback for any students who are being considered for placement in the program as part of their IEP process
• Provide assistance with students' personal care and adaptive skills, as needed
• Attend all required school staff meetings, professional development, and in-service training
• Monitor data documentation for MaineCare services (Sections 65 & 28)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of special education, including the development of specially designed instruction and a strong background in case management
• Experience working with students on the autism spectrum, with proficiency or the willingness to become proficient with the National Professional Development Center's (NPDC) 27 Evidence-Based Practices for Individuals with ASD
• The ability to relate positively to students, parents, and staff is essential in this position
• Comfort with web-based IEP management programs and curriculum
• Understanding of and experience with ABA programming is preferred
• Equity focused, with experience working in diverse districts preferred

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in special education required
• Masters in Special Education preferred
• Experience in special education (includes internships and field placements)

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Teacher Certification with one of the following endorsements (more info):
  • Endorsement 286 (Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, K-12)
  • Endorsement 282 (Teacher of Children with Disabilities, K-8)
• Maine State 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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, lifting and/or carrying up to 25 pounds to waist height, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms in all of the District's locations
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Additional professional development opportunities are available, including mentoring in evidence-based ASD education and BCBA supervision
• Training in Safety Care or CPI is required

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 OCEAN AVE:

Ocean Avenue Elementary School is proud to be Maine's first International Baccalaureate IB WORLD SCHOOL offering the Primary Years Program (IB PYP). The IB PYP inquiry-driven learning model was adopted by Ocean Ave School as part of its school-improvement long-range plan, after input from teachers, parents and administrators. We are working with full commitment to build the program into the fabric of the curriculum school-wide with the six concept-based trans-disciplinary Units of Inquiry at each grade level. In addition, we are exploring and practicing "internationally-minded" character traits across the school community with the IB Learner Profile and IB attitudes. We were authorized as an IB World School offering the PYP in July 2016. 

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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