Special Education Teacher, Resource Room - East End Community School

Job Description

TITLE: Special Education Teacher, Resource Room - East End Community School

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a dynamic, friendly, student-centered Elementary Special Education Case Manager to join our teaching faculty at East End Community School. The successful candidate will be adept at providing an atmosphere and an environment conducive to the academic, social, and emotional development of individuals, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and adjusting curricular and instructional materials to monitor student progress and meet the needs of a range of learners. Effective communication with students, parents, colleagues, and community members is essential in this role.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the special education case manager for the students served on their caseload
• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, PPS policy and administrative regulation
• Creates a classroom environment that provides for student involvement in the learning process and enables each student to achieve learning objectives
• Provides instructional programming to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities
• Establishes learning objectives consistent with an appraisal of student needs, requirements of PPS curricula framework, and knowledge of human growth and development
• Takes all necessary and safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities
• Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual
• Appraises their own effectiveness and demonstrates successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence
• Participates in school management and shares responsibility for the total school program
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. Performs related work as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to develop working knowledge of PPS curriculum, techniques for integrating curriculum, PPS policies, and effective instructional practices
• Ability to develop and deliver standards-based, specially designed instruction (SDI) across curricular disciplines and grade levels
• Ability to lead therapeutic, instructional team via collaborative processes
• Understanding of the teaching/learning process for students with disabilities, specifically students within the functional life skills classroom
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education
• Ability to infuse technology into curricula
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office and school based staff, students, parents and community
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills
• Willingness to reflect on personal implicit bias and a commitment to challenging personal perspectives and deepening self-awareness
• Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)
• Preferred qualifications: experience working with behavioral disabilities, experience with standards-based experiential and/or expeditionary learning

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from an accredited college or university
• Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience are welcome
• Portland Public Schools values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Teacher Certificate with one or both of the following endorsements (more info):
  • Endorsement 286 (Severe Impaired, K-12)
  • Endorsement 282 (Teacher of Children with Disabilities, K-8)
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info -- if you have an active teacher certification already, you do not need separate CHRC clearance)

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Permanent
• Reports to: School Principal
• Contract: Part of PEA union (see 2025-2028 CBA here)
• Salary: Based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

ABOUT EAST END:

East End Community School is located on Munjoy Hill in Portland, ME, overlooking the city and ocean. As one of the most diverse schools in Northern New England, we celebrate the many languages and cultural heritages of our students and families. As a Title 1 school, more than 80% of our students qualify for free/ reduced lunch and over half our students are multilingual learners. We hope you'll hear laughter as you walk about the school, seeing and hearing the joy of our students.

Our vision centers on diversity, equity, relationships, growth, and achievement. We hold high expectations for all learners, grounded in the belief that every student can meet and exceed grade-level standards. We are committed to providing access to high-quality instruction where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning.

We have many partners in our Community, including the Root Cellar, Learning Works, Portland Symphony, Mayo Street Arts, Opera Maine and more. We have a Chess club, Chorus, Band and Strings for older students as well as extra-curricular sports including a soccer program with the Hearts of Pines professional soccer team. We want all students, families and community members to be seen, heard and welcomed. Get to know us and learn why our motto is: Empowering Students of the World, for the World.

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.