Classification: Licensed -  2024-2025 School Year - Temporary

Work Year: Temporary - Remainder of 2024-25 School Year

Supervised by: Principal & Director of Special Services

Supervision Responsible For: Manages the work of educational assistants assigned to classroom duties. 

Gladstone High School has an opening for a Teaching Learning Specialist

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Start date: January 6, 2025

General Description of the position:

To teach and actively engage students with a variety of disabilities utilizing strategies appropriate to their intellectual, developmental, social/emotional and behavioral needs.

Gladstone School District #115 strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of our staff and students.  We foster fairness, equity and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.  We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the position, and we encourage you to apply.  If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact human Resources to discuss your application. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Oregon Teaching License (Special Education endorsement preferred)
2. Experience and/or training in the field of special education.
3. Physical and emotional stamina sufficient to perform duties of the position.
4. Knowledge of State and Federal guidelines for special education and of the compliance requirements.
5. Knowledge of evidence based practice to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
6. Technology skills sufficient to perform the essential functions required for the position.
7. Other qualifications as may be established by the school district. 
8. Recent successful experience supporting students with communication needs preferred.

Essential Functions:

1. Maintain a classroom environment conducive to effective learning.
2. Plan and implement individualized instruction based on students' IEPs.
3. Apply learning theory and employ a variety of instructional strategies as appropriate to the individual students in the class.
4. Assess student learning and keep accurate progress data and reports as may be required by law and school district policy.
5. Take all reasonable precautions to provide for the health and safety of students and to protect equipment, materials and facilities.
6. Communicates with students, parents and other staff concerning both academic and behavioral progress of students.
7. Assist in determining and evaluating educational goals consistent with district philosophy and implement those goals by instruction and other action.
8. Collaborate with other members of the staff in planning instructional goals, objectives and methods, and the development of district curriculum and its implementation in the classroom.
9. Leads the evaluation planning team, completes assessments, and analyzes results. Collaborates with school psychologist and others to integrate evaluation findings into an educational plan for each student.
10. Writes IEPs addressing students' educational goals and needs and leads the IEP team.
11. Adheres to federal, state and local policies and procedures as related to special education processes and documents.
12. Collaborates with each student's general education teacher (s) to jointly organize and implement an instructional plan, co-teach as agreed and regularly communicate regarding student needs.
13. Work with the district RTI framework to teach groups of students as assigned.
14. Assist in the selection of instructional materials.
15. Assist in the administration and implementation of policies and rules governing student conduct.
16. Attend and participate in staff meetings at the building and district level.
17. Attend meetings and carry out co-curricular activity assignments and serve on school and district committees upon request.
18. Strive to grow professionally through an on-going program designed to enhance teaching and student learning.
19. Supervise students in classroom and other settings.
20. Be familiar with respective building philosophy and adhere to policies.
21. Assist in preparing budget and instructional material requests for inclusion in the district budget.
22. Be knowledgeable regarding federal and state laws and school district policies affecting curriculum and/or instruction in the classroom.
23. Carry out other duties as may be assigned.
24. Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Knowledge of disabilities and their impact on students’ development and learning.
2. Skill in developing interpersonal relationships with other staff, parents and students.
3. Ability to maintain accurate records in a timely fashion.
4. Knowledge of federal and state laws that pertain to special education.
5. Skill in working with students with a variety of disabilities.
6. Ability to accurately assess students on an individual basis.
7. Knowledge of or willingness to learn systematic behavioral intervention strategies up to and including restraint.

Working Conditions:

Most of the work occurs in school settings which may have background noise, involve working in close physical proximity to students, and being exposed to cold and flu viruses.   Work entails engaging with a variety of students from diverse backgrounds and with challenging behaviors that may from time to time interfere with learning.