The Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) is looking for an energetic and skilled teacher to lead the STEPS Plus program with passion and understanding for working with its unique population of students. The successful candidate will carry out their work with confidence and exhibit the attributes of a trusted leader, be knowledgeable of disabilities and their impact on learning, and have a record of success working with students who present challenging behaviors paired with complex educational needs. Overall, we desire a compassionate and accomplished team leader and teacher to continue the legacy of this outstanding program.
The STEPS Plus program offered by SOESD is an exceptional, specialized educational program serving students from ages 5 – 21 who experience multiple, significant disabilities along with cognitive deficits. Highly regarded throughout the region for its successful delivery of instruction and support for students who present the most difficult and challenging behaviors, the program enrolls students from districts throughout Southern Oregon. The well-equipped site includes multiple learning spaces that allow students and 1:1 staff to carry out appropriate learning activities in a safe and structured environment. The program is staffed with dynamic and knowledgeable licensed teachers as well as trained educational assistants who provide individualized instruction and support for each student based on their IEP goals and behavior needs. In addition, a team of expert specialists, including a school psychologist, ASD specialist, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, and school nurse, delivers direct services to students and consultative services to staff and parents.
Cooperation and collaboration among staff are paramount to the team approach in the classroom, which is built on fidelity to safe and consistent systems and routines, as well as trust and respectful communication between all members of the STEPS Plus team. This attitude is passed onto students who are treated with dignity and respect as they are taught new ways of communicating and self-regulating their behaviors.
The mission of STEPS Plus is to teach success for life through teamwork, dignity, trust, respect and safety.
About SOESD
Southern Oregon ESD is located in the Rogue Valley, the cultural and economic heart of southern Oregon, home to legendary snow-skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing, as well as numerous cultural venues and events such as art galleries, the Britt Music Festivals, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
For more information on living in the Rogue Valley, please see:
Special Education Teacher – Students with Disabilities
POSITION GOAL: To provide individualized instruction to increase students' performance of adaptive self-help, communication, social, behavioral, academic, vocational, and independent living skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team to establish a shared plan of action and coordinate instructional and intervention activities.
2. Evaluate performance of self-help, communication, social, behavioral, academic, vocational, and independent living skills.
3. Participate in IEP teams to implement all required special education procedures, including parent rights, eligibility, IEP, placement, behavior, restraint, and seclusion, and other student records according to stated timelines.
4. Provide individual and small group instruction related to IEP goals.
5. Develop and implement positive classroom rules and individual and group management programs, including participation in functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and development and implementation of behavior support plans (BSPs) and crisis intervention plans (CIPs).
6. Implement training methods, record data, assess student progress, and adjust training strategies as necessary.
7. Develop and maintain an instruction, related service provider, and mainstreaming schedule.
8. Consult with regular teachers, related service providers, and involved social service agencies to meet student needs.
9. Prepare and maintain classroom materials, equipment, telephone contact log, and specific substitute instructions.
10. Communicate clearly and appropriately and make independent decisions within established policies and procedures.
11. Train, coordinate, provide modeling, coaching, observation, and feedback, and gather data regarding the job performance of Educational Assistant(s).
12. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with assistants, parents, building staff, related service providers, community, and service agency personnel.
13. Participate in professional growth activities.
14. Comply with local district and ESD rules and policies.
15. Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.
16. Perform job-related tasks as designated by the supervisor.
MINIMUM PREREQUISITES:
1. Valid Oregon Standard Teaching License – Special Education: Generalist
2. Successful completion of a handicapped learner or severely handicapped program at an accredited university/college.
3. Knowledge and experience with children with cognitive disabilities, life-skills curriculum, mental health needs, and applicable training strategies.
4. Demonstrated competence regarding the use of computers and other technology devices and systems for communication, data recording and reporting, and student instruction and support.
5. Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
6. Ability to obtain Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification.
LOCATION: In person in our STEPS Plus Classroom.
LENGTH OF POSITION: 1.0 FTE / 190 day (academic)
SALARY RANGE: Per Collective Bargaining Agreement; $56,964 - $98,865 annually for 2024-2025 school year; 2025-2026 pay range to be determined based on outcome of bargaining.
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Department Administrator
SOESD Benefits (For .50 FTE and Over):
The following physical requirements are essential functions of the Teacher Multiple and Severe Disabilities (STEPS Program) job description.
1. Stand/Walk: 4-6 Hrs/Day
2. Sit/Sit on the Floor: 1-4 Hrs/Day
3. Drive: 1-4 Hrs/Day
4. Bending: Frequently
5. Squat: Frequently
6. Climb Stairs: Occasionally
7. Single Grasping: Frequently
8. Pushing: Occasionally
9. Pulling: Occasionally
10. Fine Manipulation: Frequently
11. Lifting (less than 25 lbs): Frequently
12. Lifting (25 50 lbs): Frequently
13. Lifting (50 75 lbs): Occasionally
14. Lifting (75 100 lbs): Limited
Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SOESD is an equal opportunity employer that complies with applicable employment discrimination laws, including ORS Ch. 659, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.