Elementary Special Education Teacher

Castle Rock School District #401 is excited to announce the opening of an Elementary Special Education Teacher position for the 2024-25 school year.

The Special Education Teacher will guide students in their social, emotional, and academic development and ensure that all staff are aware of unique student needs identified in each student’s IEP. The primary focus will be classroom instruction and social and emotional development. Responsible for ensuring services are delivered with fidelity. Will collaborate with classroom teachers, other special education teachers, the principal, and the Director of Special Services.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary: $54,221 - $102,194

Castle Rock School District offers the following:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic long-term disability, basic life and AD & D insurance through School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB)
• Employees may also be eligible to participate in FSA, DCAP, HSA, and other supplemental benefits.
• Employees may be eligible for employer-employee-funded retirement benefits through the Department of Retirement Services (DRS)
• CRSD offers paid sick, personal, religious and bereavement leave.

Essential Functions:

1. Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP.
2. Develops and implements annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.
3. Employs various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
4. Coordinates with other members of the IEP team (including related service providers) to ensure that services are provided as written in the IEP.
5. Coordinates with regular education teachers to ensure compliance regarding accommodations and modifications.
6. Schedules IEP meetings and ensures the appropriate stakeholders are invited and present.
7. Ensures that IEPs are compliant with federal, state, and district guidelines.
8. Provides procedural safeguards, meeting notice, and prior written notice to the parents each year.
9. Provide quarterly reports to parents/guardians regarding progress towards all IEP goals.
10. Retrieves IEP information sheets distributed to regular education staff at the end of the school year.
11. Ensures all students participate in state testing.
12. Administers and develops subject-specific assessments to assess student competency levels and/or develop individual learning plans.
13. Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress to communicate expectations; and student’s achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
14. Assess student progress toward learning targets, objectives, expectations, and/or goals to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
15. Demonstrates and differentiates methods required to perform classroom, and/or subject-specific assignments to provide an effective program that addresses individual students.
16. Manages student behavior to provide a safe and optimal learning environment.
17. Monitors students to provide a safe and positive learning environment.
18. Participates in a variety of meetings and professional development activities to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions and to improve student achievement.
19. Seeks out and participates in ongoing professional learning opportunities within and outside the school that generally address needs identified through examination of evidence of instruction effectiveness.
20. Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g. grades, lesson plans following scope and sequence, correspondence with parents and students, examinations, and quizzes, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) to document student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
21. Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, harassment, etc.) to maintain the personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to state law and board policies.
22. Responds to emergencies to resolve immediate safety concerns and/or direct to appropriate personnel for resolution.
23. Prepares course objectives and outline for course of study following curriculum guidelines or requirements of state and district.
24. Directs paraeducators to provide an effective classroom program and address the needs of individual students.
25. Maintains attendance and grade records.
26. Maintains relationships with colleagues that are characterized by mutual support, respect, and cooperation.
27. Involves families in setting goals and expectations for individual students learning and development.
28. Communicates expectations for individual students to families and works with them to develop and monitor strategies at home to support students in achieving those goals.
29. Communicates with families regarding individual student learning and progress.
30. Collaborates and consults with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers, etc.) regarding the needs of students.
31. Responds fully to families’ concerns about students and follow up by providing information about progress or changes.
32. Contributes to improvement efforts within the school.
33. Demonstrates the consistent use of proven, research-based strategies for effective classroom management, lesson planning, flexible grouping, active student engagement, and instructional delivery.

Other Functions:

1. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Must hold a current Washington State teaching certificate with Special Education endorsement.
2. Training in de-escalation techniques and restraint or willingness to be trained in district-adopted practices.
3. Understanding of current State and Federal laws pertaining to the education of students with disabilities.
4. Experience with positive behavior intervention techniques.
5. Experience in like position preferred.

Competencies:

1. Perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percent, and/or ratios.
2. Read a variety of manuals; write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others.
3. Understand multi-step written and oral instructions.
4. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include recordkeeping principles and office equipment/software.
5. Identifies and resolves problems promptly.
6. Manages difficult or emotional situations.  Responds promptly to student, staff, and public needs.
7. Maintains Confidentiality; creates and maintains a positive and conducive work environment.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
9. High ethical standards, treats people with respect and courtesy.
10. Strong organizational skills.
11. High level of professionalism, approaches others in a tactful and positive manner.

Working Conditions:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 25% sitting, 10% walking, and 65% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to the risk of injury and/or illness.

Employment Requirements:

1. Successfully complete Washington State Patrol background check. Employee is responsible for cost of background check.
2. First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain.