Special Education Resource Room Teacher

Special Education Teacher - Resource Room - Student Support - Kennebunk Elementary School

Reports To: IEP Coordinator, Building Principal, and Director of Special Services

Salary Range: $57,392 - $109,152 annually, pursuant to the KAKEA Collective Bargaining Agreement Appendix I Salary Scale (2026-2027)

Position Summary

The Resource Room Teacher provides specially designed instruction and support to students whose social-emotional, self-regulation, executive functioning, communication, and learning needs impact their ability to fully access the general education environment. The Resource Program focuses on developing the foundational skills students need to successfully participate in school, build relationships, manage emotions, solve problems, and engage in learning.

The teacher collaborates with students, families, educators, and related service providers to create individualized programming that promotes independence, resilience, self-awareness, and academic success while supporting student participation in the least restrictive environment.

The Resource Teacher works in a collaborative educational environment that emphasizes student strengths, skill development, and inclusion. The position requires flexibility, creativity, and the ability to support students across multiple educational settings while maintaining a positive and growth-oriented approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Specialized Instruction

Provide specially designed instruction in accordance with student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Deliver individual and small-group instruction targeting social-emotional development, self-regulation, executive functioning, communication, and academic readiness skills.

Teach and reinforce foundational skills including:

• Emotional awareness and expression
• Self-regulation and coping strategies
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Executive functioning skills
• Social communication and peer interaction
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Organization and task completion
• Independence and self-advocacy

Support students in applying learned skills across educational settings.

Student Support and Skill Development

• Develop individualized supports that promote student engagement and participation in learning.
• Create structured opportunities for students to practice and generalize skills in authentic school environments.
• Utilize evidence-based instructional practices and positive support strategies.
• Support students during periods of dysregulation through co-regulation, skill coaching, and restorative practices.
• Assist students in developing strategies to manage challenges and increase independence.

Collaboration and Consultation

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to support successful participation in general education settings.
• Partner with families to promote consistency between home and school supports.
• Consult regularly with school counselors, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and administrators.
• Participate in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and student support meetings.
• Provide recommendations and coaching to staff regarding strategies that support student growth and success.

Program Development and Data Collection

• Collect and analyze academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional performance data.
• Monitor student progress toward IEP goals and program objectives.
• Develop individualized schedules, visual supports, skill-building activities, and instructional materials.
• Contribute to the development of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and other student support plans when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with district, state, and federal requirements.

Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise and direct Educational Technicians assigned to the program.
• Provide guidance regarding instructional strategies, student supports, and implementation of individualized plans.
• Foster a safe, structured, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
• Serve as a resource to colleagues regarding social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and student support strategies.

Qualifications

• Valid Maine Certification as a Special Education Teacher (282 or appropriate certification).
• Experience working with primary-aged students with diverse learning, social-emotional, and executive functioning needs preferred.
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning, executive functioning development, positive behavioral supports, and trauma-informed practices.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Safety-Care certification or willingness to obtain certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively supervise students throughout the school day.
• Ability to respond safely during student crises and support students experiencing dysregulation.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and movement throughout instructional settings.
• Ability to assist students during transitions and school activities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Relationship-focused and student-centered.
• Skilled in teaching social-emotional and executive functioning skills.
• Calm, flexible, and solution-oriented.
• Committed to inclusive educational practices.
• Collaborative and reflective.
• Passionate about helping students build the skills necessary for long-term success in school and life.

Terms of Employment

• Full-time school-year position.
• Salary Range: $57,392 - $109,152 annually, pursuant to the KAKEA Collective Bargaining Agreement Appendix I Salary Scale (2026-2027)
• Salary and benefits in accordance with the negotiated teacher contract.

Additional Information

Reasonable Accommodations: RSU 21 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable law, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the district.

Evaluation: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with district policy regarding the evaluation of professional personnel.

Equal Opportunity Employer: RSU 21 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

Apply via our application portal

• Internal Applicants: Submit a Letter of Interest (upload it where the resume is requested). No resume or letters of reference are required.
• External Applicants: Submit a current resume/CV and three letters of reference.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.