Special Education Teacher, Functional Life Skills (FLS) - Talbot Community School

Job Description

TITLE: Special Education Teacher / Case Manager, Functional Life Skills - Talbot Community School

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Portland Public Schools is looking for a collaborative Special Education Teacher for the Elementary Functional Life Skills (FLS) program at Talbot Community School. The FLS program serves students with significant intellectual disabilities, and some of the students in the class have significant physical needs as well. The FLS Teacher will provide case management and specially designed instruction to the students in the program, as well as consultation and collaboration with other professionals who serve the students.

Successfully leading a team of program staff is required, as is the ability to create positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. Previous experience as a special educator, particularly in an FLS or other specialized program, as well as experience with special education case management responsibilities (such as conducting IEP meetings and writing IEPs and Written Notices), is highly preferred.

ESSENTIAL 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:

• An unwavering respect for FLS students and a belief in their capacity to learn, grow, and achieve IEP goals
• Knowledge of legal requirements and processes for students with disabilities, including writing IEPs and managing Written Notices within legal timeframes
• Understanding of the teaching/learning process for students with moderate to severe disabilities, including multiple disabilities
• 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, that meet varied individual needs
• Ability to lead therapeutic and instructional team, balancing being responsive to staff needs while making decisions grounded in best practice, data, IEPs, and legal requirements
• 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)

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field of special education from an accredited college or university
• Experience working with behavioral disabilities, experience with standards-based experiential and/or expeditionary learning preferred
• Certified in CPI and/or SafetyCare or able to be certified
• Experience with Acuity, Google suite, preferred
• Combinations of applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position, will determine salary

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with implementing PSPs and ITPs
• Ability to physically assist students (lift up to 35 pounds) to support students to perform adaptive living and self-care skills, if assigned to work with non-ambulatory students
• Frequent bending, walking, running, and lifting of objects/equipment up to 35 pounds may be required; whenever a staff member is responsible for more than 35 pounds of a student's weight, additional staff will be required to lift the student safely (2-person requirement)
• Mechanical lifts will be considered and provided on an individual as-needed basis
• Additional demands may require moving wheelchairs, assisting with toileting, feeding, and other daily living activities

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Teaching Certification with one of the following (more info):
  • Endorsement 286 (K-12)
  • Endorsement 282 (K-8)
• Maine State CHRC authorization (more info) **
  • **if you already have an active Ed Tech certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your Ed Tech certification

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 TALBOT:

Gerald E. Talbot Community School is a Pre-K through Grade 5 school of nearly 400 students named in honor of Gerald E. Talbot, one of the most cherished and respected community leaders in Portland, ME. We are proud of our diverse population of learners from around the world, who speak 23 different languages. Talbot is a Title I school and is also recognized by the MDOE as a community school, which means we focus on meeting not only the academic needs of our students but also their broader developmental needs, including ensuring their physical and mental health, promoting their social and community engagement and supporting and strengthening their families and neighborhood. In addition to housing one of the district's functional life skills (FLS) programs, our building is also shared with a branch of the Portland Public Library, a Greater Portland Health dental office, and space for the Recreation Department of Portland Parks and Recreation, including a community swimming pool.

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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.