Lowell School District

Position Opening

Special Education Teacher-Life Skills Classroom

 

STARTING DATE

2026-2027 School Year (August 2026)

 

WORK YEAR 

193

 

BASE SALARY

$50,290-88,441 DOE

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open until filled             

           

THE POSITION

The Lowell School District seeks outstanding, highly qualified candidates for a full-time Special Education Teacher position working with Life Skills students.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Education Life Skills Teacher provides specialized instruction and support for students with learning, developmental, physical, or behavioral disabilities. This position focuses on developing functional academic skills, social/emotional skills, communication, executive functioning, and independent living skills. The teacher collaborates closely with general education staff, specialists, families, and outside agencies to design, implement, and monitor individualized education programs (IEPs).

 

The teacher follows all federal, state, and district procedural safeguards related to special education, including IEP development, progress monitoring, and compliance with Oregon Administrative Rules. 

 

ASSIGNMENT          

Leads in the implementation and maintenance of special education programs for our life skills students. Assists in the planning, organization, and implementation of district special education and staff development programs at the school and district level. Assists and supports school and district special education improvement efforts to focus on student outcomes.

 

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Superintendent, Principal, and Special Education Director

 

 

ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads in developing, conducting, and communicating annual needs assessments to identify potential special education and staff development activities for individual schools and the district.
• Adapts and plans specially designed lessons for the purpose of implementing IEP goals and meeting the individual special needs of students in various curriculum areas and settings.  
• Work closely with the regular teaching staff in developing Individual Education Programs for students who meet the criteria.
• Assists with required federal and state reporting as appropriate.
• Develops and implements workshops, courses, and training opportunities to meet the needs of all staff.
• Convenes, facilitates and documents the pre-referral and CST/Sped referral for the purpose of Child Find and providing free and appropriate public education to the student and maintaining compliance with IDEA and state regulations.
• Identifies and implements special education programs designed to improve teaching practices to bring about desired student outcomes.
• Provides consulting services to support effective instructional practices, the use of appropriate curriculum, and student assessment procedures.
• Regularly evaluates the progress of students with disabilities using various assessments (e.g. facilitate, conduct and document bi-weekly and monthly easy CBM progress monitoring, curriculum assessments, teacher-made assessments, anecdotal records, attendance, etc.), and regularly reports out progress to parents, teachers, the Special Ed Director,  and other staff as necessary for the purpose of implementing appropriate special education services and providing documentation of student progress.
• Serves as a liaison for implementation and support of district programs.
• Provides ongoing classroom support to regular and special education staff for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students across all school settings.
• Plan and prep materials for life skills special education groups and provide direct supervision to staff implementing specially designed instruction and/or other IEP services and supports across settings.
• Initiates ongoing in-service and training to refine and maintain instructional and classroom management skills.
• Plans and conducts in-service training for instructional staff relating to curriculum and instruction and acts as an instructional and special education resource to administrators, licensed, and classified staff.
• Responsive to staff and school needs as they arise.
• Assists in planning and conducting assessment of special education and staff development programs
• Develops and implements district wide special education curriculum and staff development activities.
• Creates and maintains student special education files in accordance with district direction for the purpose of maintaining compliance with IDEA and state regulations.
• Assists schools in identifying and utilizing strategic resources within and outside the district.
• Develops and maintains Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Placement Determinations on each student served for the purpose of compliance with IDEA and state regulation.
• Case manages IEPs including providing assistance to staff working with students with disabilities, including those students within assigned school(s), out-of-district placements, home school settings, and 19–21-year-olds accessing IEP services. 
• Writes well-written quarterly IEP progress reports that are supported by multiple sources of data and if applicable assigns grades according to district policy. 
• Ensures that material and equipment are properly used, maintained and stored, and that inventory records, when requested, are accurate and current.
• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
• Participates cooperatively in school, area, and district-wide activities.
• Follows specified standards, policies, and procedures of the building and district.
• Administer state tests to students on IEPs as needed, and coordinate with staff to ensure students with disabilities have appropriate support on District-Wide and State Assessments.
• Manage student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Administer ELPA Screener, ELPA Summative and provide English Language Develop Instruction as needed.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

              

MINIMUM QULIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree or equivalent training in Special Education with Endorsement
• Oregon Teaching License valid for the assignment
• Fluent in oral and written English communication

 

DEMONSTRATES

• Knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Knowledge of District Policy and Procedures
• Skills in leadership, organization, and communication
• Knowledge of district special education programs
• Ability to use current technology such as virtual meeting software, computers, and e-mail.
• Knowledge of teaching strategies, curriculum, technology and program materials
• Use of interpersonal, collaborative and consultation skills with a variety of groups and individuals
• Use of confidentiality practices regarding student information

 

MINIMUM TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

• Will be determined by terms of the current negotiated agreement.

 

SALARY

• Will be determined by terms of the current negotiated agreement.

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

 

 

TO APPLY:

• Letter of interest stating your qualities and reasons for seeking this position
• Application
• Current resume
• Copy of Oregon Teaching License/or screen shot of current status
• Copy of transcripts (may be unofficial) 

 

Online application accepted through the district website:  www.lowell.k12.or.us . 

 

If you have questions, please contact Michelle Stephens at 541.937.5095 or email at Stephens@lowell.k12.or.us

 

The Lowell School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender or disability.

 

The Lowell School District's policy is to provide veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law. Applicants requesting veteran's preference must provide certification of eligibility for preference in addition to other requested materials.