Teacher - Developmental Learning Classroom

Olympia School District • Olympia, WA

17d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a 1.0 FTE, continuing position that works Monday - Friday, 180 days per year, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The role involves facilitating Special Education student success in pre-academics/academics, interpersonal skills, and activities of daily living. The teacher will implement District-approved curriculum, document student progress, address specific student needs, and provide a safe and optimal learning environment. They will also provide feedback to students, parents, and administration regarding student progress, expectations, and goals. The Olympia School District is committed to increasing staff diversity and encourages candidates who can contribute to this goal to apply.

Requirements

• Prior job-related experience, paid or volunteer, with school aged children.
• Candidate must be willing to be trained in educational strategies specifically designed for specific students.
• Skills to perform basic clerical functions, perform basic arithmetic calculations, operate standard office and computer equipment, use English in both written and verbal form, and use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Knowledge of the principles of child development, research based, best practices and behavior management techniques.
• Ability to understand and address students with special needs, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies, rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations.
• Significant physical abilities including lifting, stooping/crouching, reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity/depth perception/accommodation/field of vision.
• Teaching Certificate and Special Education certification.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of sign language is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Adapts lesson(s) for the purpose of implementing the IEP goals and meeting the special needs of students.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher’s expectations, developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the school environment.
• Assesses student’s functional life and daily living skills (behavioral, motor development, communication, personal care, safety, etc.) and cognitive needs (e.g. developmental level, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating students and family requirements, placement and success of the student’s program.
• Collaborates with school personnel, agencies and community agencies (e.g. social service agencies, caretakers, etc.) for the purpose of developing and modifying the program to maximize the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
• Develops, monitors and evaluates specially designed instructional programs for the students on his/her caseload.
• Directs instructional assistants, volunteers, and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Instructs students with individualized special needs for the purpose of developing appropriate functional daily living skills, personal care, safety and cognitive needs using research based instructional techniques and strategies.
• Manages individual students’ schedules and needs for the purpose of providing a safe and an optimal learning environment.
• Prepares teaching materials and reports (e.g. attendance, anecdotal records, performance data, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher instruction and student progress.
• Provides a program for special education students which meet applicable district, state and federal requirements as they apply to the specific student.
• Reports incidents (i.e. suspected child abuse, neglect, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.
• Assists other personnel with supervision, support and instruction provided to special education students.
• Collaborates with other special education and general education teachers and support staff in the development and implementation of appropriate special education services for students.
• Confers with parents and staff members on a regular basis regarding student performance, needs, problems, etc.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic life insurance
• Enrollment in the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) SERS plan (classified employees) or TERS plan (certificated employees)
• DRS Deferred Compensation Program
• Vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Additional compensation beyond their base salary as outlined in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED