Special Education Specialist, Paulding Middle School/Student Services 2026-2027

Lucia Mar Unified School District•Arroyo Grande, CA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher designation develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives; follows State mandated due process procedures and functions as IEP Manager to assigned students. The Special Education Teacher plans, and administers the special education instructional program and classroom operation in compliance with guidelines and regulations determined by the administration, Board of Education, state and federal agencies. The teacher will create an environment that encourages learning, motivates students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to establish and continue a firm foundation to perpetuate the learning experience through the post secondary education and/or career opportunities. The Special Education Teacher will utilize all the resources available to establish a cooperative relationship with parents, staff members and administrators to support each student's opportunity to learn and grow in educational and life experiences. The position of Special Education Teacher shall include active participation in the school's operation to support a positive learning environment.

Requirements

Valid California teaching credential with an authorization to teach special education in a mild/moderate setting
Valid CLAD/BCLAD/EL Authorization (Emergency permits are not accepted)
Valid Added Autism Authorization
A Bachelor's Degree, including all courses and/or exams needed to meet credentialing and subject matter competency.
As mandated by the state, and accepted by the school district.
Resourceful, innovative, helpful, diligent, persistent, and a willingness to work with colleagues and students.

Nice To Haves

Valid California Driver's License
Prior teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained withineach student's IEP.
Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
Employs various teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
Develops and implements annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: presentlevels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the specialeducation and related services required to meet those goals.
Schedule team meetings and works cooperatively with child study team members and others in developinginstructional goals and strategies.
Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP.
Creates a positive learning experience with emphasis in individualized instruction using appropriate sources andtechnology.
Services as the primary contact for the parent.
Conducts special education evaluations and reevaluations.
Provides direction, supervision, and evaluation input of special education assistance, as directed.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty area; includingthrough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching of students with disabilities.
Ability to deliver and articulate oral presents and reports
Provides individualized and small group instruction (as necessary) to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each p upil.Determines the appropriate pace for instruction related to students' abilities and explains material and subjectcontent to students and parents. Differentiates instruction for students based upon need and works with students andother teachers in inclusive settings
Establishes and maintains standards of behavior in the classroom and throughout the school to achieve a positive andfunctional learning atmosphere for students
Evaluates students' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, prepares student progress reports, and p rovides accurate and constructive feedback to students and parents. (as necessary).
Uses data to improve the learning and instruction process.
Create and maintain an environment that fosters student creativity, critical thinking skills, academic achievement andthe development of lifelong skills.
Show competence and confidence in working with new technology and various application packages.
Maximize opportunities for student success by creating positive mentoring and working relationships with students and colleagues.
Create a classroom environment reflective of the 21 st century skills and the various student individual needs.
Be a role-model for students regarding life-long learning and professional behavior.
Establish and implement a classroom discipline policy to articulate and maintain standards of expected pupil behavior and achieve an effective learning environment in the classroom; maintain a classroom atmosphere conductive to learning.
Provide students with additional instruction as required if they need support in academic skill development.
Maintain positive staff relations; Works closely with the site principal to collaboratively lead the school through shared decision-making processes.
Cooperates with other professional staff members to identify student needs and develop assessments to solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
Participates in faculty committees, meetings and other faculty sponsored programs supporting the educational program.
Demonstrates regular and timely attendance.
Networking and collegiality, mutual support, and deep individual and collective reflection and expected amongst staff.
Promotes a positive image of public education; willingly engages with community and business partners to be incorporated as a resource in curriculum development and student projects.
Attend and participate in required in-service activities.
Meet deadlines; maintain appropriate records and prepare progress reports as required; follow district promotion policy.
Follows District and Schools' policies.
Stand and sit for extended periods of time.
See and read printed matter with or without vision aids.
Hear and understand speech at normal levels.
Speak English so that others may understand at normal levels.
Stand, walk, stoop, twist, bend over, grasp, reach overhead, push, pull, and move, lift and/or carry 0 to 25 pounds to waist height.
Is able to move throughout the building and school grounds as necessary.
Able to concentrate on a single task for up to two (2) hours at a time.
Able to learn quickly and adapt to a variety of technology, machinery, instructions, and task methods.
Able to meet deadlines in terms of work assignment schedules.
Is able to speak and write in a clear, concise manner.
Interact daily in person with other members of the school staff and possess comfortable interpersonal skills and cooperative attitudes.
Because of the time urgent nature of duties and because work product of position is interdependent with that of other staff, consistent attendance is required.
Convey an understanding, patient attitude toward other students, parents, staff and members of the community.
Maintain the privacy of confidential information including student grades, progress, etc.
The Special Education Teacher shall report in accordance with California state regulations who observe, have actual knowledge, or reasonably suspect child or elder/dependent abuse or neglect to appropriate agencies.