Special Education Teacher, Functional Life Skills - Talbot Community School

TITLE: Special Education Teacher, Functional Life Skills - Talbot Community School

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Portland Public Schools is looking for a collaborative Special Education Teacher for the K-5 Functional Life Skills (FLS) program at Talbot Community School. 

The FLS Teacher will provide specially designed instruction in the Elementary School Life Skills classroom. They will also provide consultation and collaboration with related service providers and general education teachers on a regular basis regarding students' educational needs, accommodations, and modifications. 

Successfully leading a team of program staff is required, as is the ability to create positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. Previous experience as a special educator, particularly in an FLS or other specialized program, as well as experience with special education case management responsibilities (such as conducting IEP meetings and writing IEPs and Written Notices), is highly preferred. 
 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the special education case manager for the students served on their caseload
• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, PPS policy and administrative regulation
• Creates a classroom environment that provides for student involvement in the learning process and enables each student to achieve learning objectives
• Provides instructional programming to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities
• Establishes learning objectives consistent with an appraisal of student needs, requirements of PPS curricula framework, and knowledge of human growth and development
• Takes all necessary and safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities
• Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual
• Appraises their own effectiveness and demonstrates successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness; strives to maintain and improve professional competence
• Participates in school management and shares responsibility for the total school program
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. Performs related work as required 

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 an applicable field of special education from an accredited college or university
• Experience working with behavioral disabilities, experience with standards-based experiential and/or expeditionary learning preferred
• Certified in CPI and/or SafetyCare or able to be certified
• Experience with Acuity, Google suite, preferred
• Combinations of applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position, will determine salary

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
• Maine State Teaching Certification with one of the following (more info):
  • Endorsement 286 (K-12)
  • Endorsement 282 (K-8) 

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• School-year position
• Permanent
• Full Time, 1.0 FTE
• Salaried position, not eligible for overtime
• Covered under the PEA contract (see 2022-2025 CBA here; new contract forthcoming)
• Salary based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
• Eligible for benefits as outlined here (may not be updated with 25-26 plan information or $ amounts)

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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.