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

Bethel School District 403•Spanaway, WA

2d•Onsite

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.

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 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with secondary schools
Transition
WA AIM

Responsibilities

Provide assistance to district special education staff with the goal of providing constant on-going improvement of our special education programs.
Create collaborative working relations with special education teachers, ESA specialists, classroom teachers, paraeducators, parents, and building/district administrators.
Provide staff with a deep knowledge of comprehensive assessment of academic, functional, behavioral, vocational functioning of children 3 to 21 years old.
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.
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.
Mentor first year special education teachers in the TAP mentoring program.
Serve as the district representative in IEP meetings to assist teams in the development of effective programs for special needs students.
Interface with parents in difficult situations that require empathy, flexible thinking, and deep knowledge of instruction/programs provided within and outside the district.
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.
Organize, plan and provide for extended school year services in the district.
Provide on-going staff development for special education staff on a wide array of topics that support the district's mission.
Monitor annual IEP for compliance and assist teachers in improving their ability to write effective student plans.
Assist teachers with preparing teaching materials and reports for the purpose of implementing quality lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher and student progress.
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.
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.
Provide 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.
Assist 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.
Assist 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.
Assist 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.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff, administrators, parents, support groups, governmental and community service agencies.
Assist staff in working with paraeducators, volunteers, and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program.
Maintain appropriate confidential reports, records, and files in compliance with state/federal law.
Attend and participate 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.
Successfully manage student files, collect ongoing data, and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
Coordinate IEP meetings working collaboratively with parents as an integral part of the team of professionals.
Assist teachers in providing community-based, functional curriculum including vocational training/experience to meet the transition goals on students' IEP.
Provide staff development opportunities for special education staff that support this district's goals.
Conduct 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.