Education Specialist - Mild/Moderate K-8

Job Description

Job Description

This position is for the 2026-27 school year. 

OVERVIEW:

Under the immediate direction of the Directors of Special Education, provide comprehensive specialized academic services to students in a school setting based on Individualized Education Program, addressing their unique needs and supporting their participation in educational activities. Provides consultation and support for school site teams who have special needs students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education classrooms for the majority of their school day; Perform other related functions as required.

Under the supervision of the Middle School Director, the Agriculture & Natural Resources CTE Teacher will lead the middle school agriculture program and elementary school garden education. This role integrates California’s CTE Model Curriculum Standards with our mission to foster hands-on learning, ecological literacy, and stewardship. The teacher will guide middle school students through standards-based, project-driven agricultural studies while delivering engaging garden-based science and sustainability lessons to elementary students.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Case management of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including the development and monitoring of goals, interventions and services
• Assists general education teachers and special education support staff in adapting curriculum for special needs students, and provides modified curriculum and resources as needed by school site teams
• Creates schedules to ensure all specialized academic instructional minutes are being met
• Meets all IEP deadlines: progress reports, addendum IEPs, annual IEPs, triennials and initial IEPs
• Collaborates with related service providers (i.e. SLP, OT, etc.), as needed, in order to develop and/or update student IEPs
• Provides meeting invitations for all types of IEP meeting and communicates with parents and/guardians
• Attends IEP’s and staff/parent meetings of students with special needs in general education classrooms, as requested
• Implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support academic achievement in the general education setting
• Conducts ongoing training for regular and special education teachers and instructional assistants regarding inclusive education practices, curriculum modifications and behavior interventions for special needs students in general education classrooms
• Assists general education teachers, special education support staff and school site teams with developing daily reports, behavioral schedules and social skills curriculum for special needs students in general education classrooms
• Models teaching strategies and techniques for regular and special education teachers and instructional assistants for special needs students in general education classroom
• Provides consultation and support for parents of special needs students in general education classroom and helps to facilitate positive collaboration between parents and school site teams
• Confers frequently with district special education support staff and administrators to provide needed services regarding inclusive education practices
• Assists school site teams in problem solving and program issues related to inclusive education practices
• Teach and instruct students with disabilities who need in subject matter areas, auditory and visual perceptual training, and fine and gross motor skill development
• Utilize an adopted course of study, and curriculum and instruction guidelines
• Use program instruction guidelines and other materials to develop lesson plans and teach outlines designed to remediate diagnosed learning dysfunctions
• Utilize a variety of specialized methodology in teaching and instructing students and in providing assistance to other instructional personnel, including remedial instruction, and activity participation using a variety of educational equipment, materials, books, and learning aids
• Review, analyze, and evaluate the history and background of students with disabilities, and assist instructional personnel in the assessment of students with disabilities
• Design educational programs to meet individual learning needs and assist in implementing the various educational processes
• Individualize instructional processes, adapt instructional delivery systems
• Provide individual and group instruction in remediating student with disabilities and effectively utilize the available instructional time
• Employ a variety of behavior management strategies and techniques, including behavior modification, reinforcement, and other positive behavior shaping processes
• Assist in the coordination of the individual education planning team
• Review, analyze, and evaluate student academic, behavioral and social growth
• Record and report perceptions of student progress and recommend changes to students’ individual educational plans
• Prepare, administer, score, and record the results of criterion referenced and group standardized tests in evaluating student growth and progress
• Counsel, confer, and communicate with parents and instructional personnel concerning student progress and the interpretation of students’ individual educational programs
• Additional or different duties to address needs of the school and change practices

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree, including all courses needed to meet credential requirements
• Coursework in the psychological characteristics of exceptional children and remedial techniques in the basic skills subject area is desirable
  
• Two years of experience supporting individuals with exceptional needs is desirable before being assigned to this position

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Current California teaching credential authorizing service for individuals with exceptional needs
• One year of experience in programs for children with disabilities
• Certification (Added Authorization in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDAA))
• Copy of Transcript
• English Learner Authorization
• Letter(s) of Recommendation (Three)
• Education Specialist Instruction Credential - Mild/Moderate OR University Intern Credential - Mild/Moderate
  
• Must pass fingerprint clearance and TB test
• Must complete required training upon hire: CPR, First Aid, Mandated Reporter, and Sexual Harassment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Principles, theories, techniques, and strategies pertaining to the teaching and instruction of students with disabilities
• Practices, trends, fiscal and legal aspects, affecting all inclusion programs 
• Child growth and development and behavior characteristics of child experiencing learning challenges
• Techniques and procedures regarding curriculum and instruction design and delivery systems for both special education and district core curriculum
• Behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques, and methods, and conflict resolution procedures
• Socio-economic and cultural background differences of the community
• Effective listening and communication
• Collaboration, Adaptability  Creativity
• Time management
• Computer literacy
• Plan, organize, and coordinate full inclusion program at all grade/age levels throughout the district
• Supervise in the development of strategies for curriculum modifications
• Develop and present training for teachers and instructional assistants in best practices regarding full inclusion
• Evaluate and analyze complex problems, issues, and concerns, and recommend appropriate alternative solutions
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form to a variety of audiences
• Establish and maintain cooperative organizational, public, and educational community relationships
• Comply with the District’s customer service standards, as outlined in Board Policy

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
• Regularly required to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly
• Indoors & Outdoors

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work Hours; 7:30 - 4:00 

Employment Type; Full-time, exempt

Work Year Calendar: 10.5 (August to mid-June)

BENEFITS: 

• Paid sick leave
• Paid personal leave
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Employer paid life insurance,
• 403 (b) retirement
• Induction program reimbursement and mentor
• Before and after school child-care
  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Community Roots Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.