Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) - Special Education, Secondary 26/27 School Year

Bethel School District 403•Spanaway, WA

About The Position

The Special Education TOSA is a master teacher with excellent instructional and communication skills that provides assistance to district special education staff with the goal of providing constant on-going improvement of our special education programs. The special education specialist will create collaborative working relations with special education teachers, ESA specialists, classroom teachers, paraeducators, parents, and building/district administrators to provide successful learning opportunities for our special education students. The specialist will be responsible for providing staff with a deep knowledge of comprehensive assessment of academic, functional, behavioral, vocational functioning of children 3 to 21 years old. Using the assessments, the specialist can assist building teams in identifying a student's current level of performance and writing a functionally appropriate IEP that meets all state and federal guidelines and is reasonably calculated to provide benefit to our students. The specialist will mentor/assist special education teachers in a wide variety of special education issues including classroom organization, assessment, writing IEP plans, data collection, record keeping, knowledge of specific disabilities, scheduling of students, assist teams in development of fBa/BIP's effective research based interventions/instruction, academic, functional behavioral, ordering of appropriate materials, supervision of paraeducators, and guidance of state/federal special education law, and effective methods of communication with students, parents and staff. SPED TOSA may mentor first year special education teachers in the TAP mentoring program. The SPED TOSA may serve as the district representative in IEP meetings to assist teams in the development of effective programs for special needs students. The specialist can interface with parents in difficult situations that require empathy, flexible thinking, and deep knowledge of instruction/programs provided within and outside the district. The specialist will assist Directors of Special Education in placement of students new to our district, transportation, change of programming, and district wide transitions between program, sites and grade levels. The SPED TOSA will organize, plan and provide for extended school year services in the district. The specialist will provide on-going staff development for special education staff on a wide array of topics that support the district's mission. Preference will be given to experience with secondary schools, Transition and WA AIM.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with Special Educational K-12 endorsement.
At least five years classroom experience with exceptional evaluations.
Knowledge and skill in instructional principles, best practices, methods and techniques for special populations.
Knowledge of state/federal special education requirements.
Ability to develop annual appropriate Individual Education Plans, functional behavior plans, manifest determination meetings, IEP meetings, and multidisciplinary team planning meetings.
Knowledge of current state/ district assessments, and graduation requirements for special education students.
Knowledge of adult learning methodology.
Knowledge of a wide range of developmental disabilities and effective research based interventions.
Knowledge and implementation of district adopted curricula.
Commitment and ability to work with a full range of students.
Skill in classroom management and student discipline and developing positive techniques for improving student behavior.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to establish and maintain positive effective working relationships with a variety of students, staff, and community in a multicultural, and diverse socio-economic setting.
Ability to participate collaboratively in teams.
Ability to continue participation in staff development to maintain professional skills.
Ability to serve as a role model and treat students as individuals in a professional manner.
Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Skills in organizational techniques.
Ability to effectively integrate technology resources into job requirements.
Ability to work beyond the standard school day, and teacher calendar year.
Must maintain all licenses and certifications as a condition of continued employment.
Valid Washington State Special Education Teaching Certificate
Completed Bethel Employment Application/ Background Check
Restraint certification.

Responsibilities

Knowledge of special education law/compliance
IEP process and the writing of measurable goals/objectives, functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, Manifestation determination, age-appropriate functional vocational assessments and transition plans that are developmentally appropriate for individual students.
Monitor annual IEP for compliance and assist teachers in improving their ability to write effective student plans.
Assists teachers with preparing teaching materials and reports for the purpose of implementing quality lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher and student progress.
Knowledge of assessment for the academic, functional, behavioral, vocational functioning of special education students.
Reports incidents of child abuse, altercations, and substance abuse for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment, and adheres to the educational code of ethics and district/school policies.
Ability to adapt basic education materials, provide for the provision of specific equipment, and the development of classroom intervention strategies to meet the needs of special education students in their general education classes.
Provides clear and focused instruction strategies for teaching staff by using a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of all students to assure successful learning through the articulated curriculum.
Assists teachers in implementing on-going assessment and monitors students for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectation and goals by using quality classroom-based assessment or district/state assessment tools.
Assists staff in establishing and maintaining a standard of student behavior needed to provide an orderly, safe and productive learning environment using knowledge of effective behavior management strategies.
Assists teachers in their ability to communicate positively and regularly with parent and/or legal guardians including areas of growth, student progress, teacher expectations, developing a meaningful collaboration between home and school.
Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with staff, administrators, parents, support groups, governmental and community service agencies.
Assists staff in working with paraeducators, volunteers, and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program.
Maintains appropriate confidential reports, records, and files in compliance with state/federal law.
Demonstrates experience and sensitivity that affirm individuality and diversity.
Attends and participates in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the district and/or building administrator in order to accomplish the objectives of the position including on-going professional staff development.
Ability to successfully manage student files, collect ongoing data, and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
Ability to coordinate IEP meetings working collaboratively with parents as an integral part of the team of professionals.
Assists teachers in providing community-based, functional curriculum including vocational training/experience to meet the transition goals on students' IEP.
Ability to provide staff development opportunities for special education staff that support this district's goals.
Experience in mentoring and conducting instruction conferences using a peer coaching model.
Assist educators in effective decision-making through the implementation of research-based materials, instructional strategies and assessments.
Provide professional development and assistance to new educators.
Work with district administrators to open new classrooms/programs for special education students.
Collaborative teaming with Special Services staff in creating and implementing teacher and paraeducator training.