Position Information:
New Start High School is seeking a Learning Resource Center (LRC) Special Education Teacher to join their team of educators for the 2023-2024 school year!

SUMMARY: A Special Education teacher works with students found eligible for special education services through the Highline Public School’s Special education process of identification and evaluation. Eligible students access learning in their Least Restrictive Environment determined by their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team. Instruction is provided by certificated teachers with Special Education degrees or endorsements.

Learning Resource Center (LRC) Assignment Responsibilities The Special Education Learning Resource Center (LRC) teacher serves students with identified disabilities who require Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in one or more academic or non-academic areas. Students in this classroom setting typically receive a large portion of their daily instruction through general education alongside their general education peers. Students will receive SDI based on their IEPs, which may be delivered through various models including co-teaching, push-in, or pull-out support.

• Implement interventions based on student assessments and evaluations.
• Establish and communicate clear lesson and intervention purpose.
• Schedule student interventions that are responsive to changing needs for intensity and /or duration.
• Utilize data and frequent, ongoing progress monitoring systems to inform instructional decisions and/or revisions.
• Collaborate with general education teachers, literacy/math coaches and other service providers to plan/program for a wide range of student needs.
• Coach and support student behavior related to teacher, school and community expectations.
• Implement and model behavioral intervention and de-escalation strategies across settings.

Special Education Teacher - Highline Open Doors

This Special Education Teacher position will support the design, implementation, and provision of special education services to a primarily BIPOC group of students enrolled in Highline Public Schools’ robust network of Open Doors 1418 Programs. Highline Open Doors Programs offer students 16 to 21 years old a unique, innovative, and customizable school experience in non-traditional settings operated by six different partnering agencies throughout the region.

• South Seattle College - Career Link
• Graduation Alliance
• Southwest Youth and Family Services
• Highline College
• Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD)
• El Centro De La Raza - Si Se Puede Academy

More information about Open Doors programs from OSPI can be found here: https://youtu.be/fJ7FO-BmbmI

More information about Highline’s Open Doors Programs can be found at: https://www.highlineschools.org/school-learning-sites/alternative-education/open-doors

Based on student and program support needs, The Special Education Teacher assigned to Highline Open Doors programs is required to provide weekly on-site support to students and staff across six different secondary re-engagement programs. This position will be supervised by the Principal at New Start High School and is also supported by the Assistant Director of Alternative Education Programs. Example duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provide Consult & Monitoring to partnering agencies:
  • Support students, program directors, case managers, and instructors to ensure that IEP’s and accommodations are implemented with fidelity in non-traditional settings that may include online, drop-in, and in-person learning environments.
  • Track individual student progress, ensuring that instructors are providing SDI (specially designed instruction) to individual students, and taking measures to adjust implementation as needed.
  • Draft, finalize, and distribute Summaries of Performance

• Maintain IEP compliance according to district and OSPI guidelines:
  • Meeting due dates, scheduling, facilitating IEP meetings
  • Drafting/finalizing IEP's / ITP's
  • Distributing IEP's / ITP's to student and district
  • Distributing IEP's at a Glance to program directors & instructors

• Review individual student's Evaluation & Eligibility within their enrolled program and how the IEP is implemented accordingly.
• Coordinate with the school psychologist regarding program placement and scheduling of Re-Eval / IEP meetings
• In collaboration with Open Doors staff, design and deliver out-of-the box opportunities for students and families to engage in special education services and build rapport with their SPED team.
• Maintain regular communication, reports, and meetings with the Principal of New Start High School and Assistant Director of Alternative Education Programs.

Additional preferred experience/skills:

• Bilingual or Multilingual
• Proven success in supporting linguistically and culturally diverse youth, young adults, and families in non-traditional education settings
• Ability to maintain job duties in emotionally intense and escalated environments
• Deep understanding of both in-school and out-of school factors that create barriers to student success; Including justice involvement, economic hardship, community violence, language/cultural barriers, trauma, addiction, mental health, employment, housing, ect
• Ability to maintain productivity, professionalism, best practices, follow rules, laws, and guidelines with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to travel both within and outside of school district boundaries on a day to day basis

For a full job description, please see the attachment.

Eligible Highline Public School employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package. Check them out here!

The Highline strategic plan is centered on Our Promise. It includes five big goals for Highline students, supported by Our Foundation:

• Equity. We will disrupt institutional biases and end inequitable practices so all students have an equal chance at success.
• Instruction. We will reduce achievement and opportunity gaps by using culturally responsive, inclusive, standards-based instruction.
• Relationships. We will know our students by name, strength and need and have open, two-way communication with students, families and community partners.
• Support. We will increase student success by supporting their social-emotional and academic needs.

Highline Public Schools, District #401, reserves the right to privilege current employees in the hiring process. Highline Public Schools, District #401, complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate in admission, access, treatment, or employment in education programs or hiring practices on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Highline Public Schools also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. See Board Policy 5010 for Highline’s commitment to nondiscrimination and affirmative action. Any person having inquiries should contact: Age Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Affirmative Action, Civil Rights Act (employees), and Title IX: Chief Talent Officer, 206.631.3121, title.ix@highlineschools.org; Civil Rights Act (students): Ombudsman, 206.631.3104, civilrightscoordinator@highlineschools.org; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act- Director of Social Services and Mental Health, 206.631.3255, 504coordinator@highlineschools.org, Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166.