Teacher - Special Education

Job Purpose Statement(s): The job of "Teacher - Special Education" is done for the purpose/s of facilitating Special Services student success in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living through implementing District approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities, outcomes; addressing specific needs of students; providing a safe and optimal learning environment and providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

Required attachments:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 3 Reference Letters
• Valid Washington State Certification

This 0.6 FTE, continuing position works Monday - Friday, 11:50 am - 4:02 pm, 180 days per year.

Position to begin employment in the 2026-27 school year.

Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits, as administered by the School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB). Final benefit eligibility to be determined at time of hire. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) SERS plan (classified employees) or TERS plan (certificated employees), as well as the DRS Deferred Compensation Program. Employees will receive vacation leave, paid holidays and additional compensation beyond their base salary as outlined in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The Olympia School District is committed to increasing the diversity of staff in our schools. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

Essential Job Functions:

• Adapts lesson/s for the purpose of implementing the IEP goals and meeting the special needs of student.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher's expectations, developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Assesses student's social needs (e.g. behavioral, motor development, communications, etc.) and academic needs (e.g. developmental level, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating students and family requirements, placement and success of the program.
• Collaborates with school personnel, agencies and community agencies (e.g. social service agencies, caretakers, etc.) for the propose of developing and modifying the program to maximize the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
• Directs instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student aides for the propose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Instructs students with individualized special needs for the purpose of developing appropriate academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through a defined course of study.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and an optimal learning environment.
• Prepares teaching materials and reports (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher and student progress.
• Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the propose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.

Other Job Functions:

• Administers medication, first aid and/or health care requirements as may be required for the purpose of providing specialized treatment and/or monitoring medical conditions of students.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Participates in various meetings (e.g. parent conferences, in-service training, site meetings, etc.) for the purpose of receiving and/or providing information and/or meeting credential requirements.

Job Requirements - Qualifications:

• Experience Required: Priorjob experience and /or specialized training in working with high school age students with significant behavioral disability, autism and significant developmental delays.
• Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:
• • Skills to motivate students, communicate with individuals from varied educational and cultural backgrounds direct support personnel, evaluate performance, address student health care needs.
  • Knowledge of appropriate Special Services category (learning, severely, communication, visually and/or physically handicapped), age appropriate teaching methods, state curriculum framework, education codes.
  • Abilities to stand and walk for prolonged periods, perform a variety of specialized and responsible tasks, maintain records, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and other school personnel, and met scheduling deadlines. Significant physical abilities include lifting/carrying, stooping/crouching, reaching/handling/fingering, talking/hearing conversations, and near/far visual acuity/depth perception/color vision/field of vision.
• Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: Teaching Credential for appropriate level of instruction and specialty area of special education, Criminal Justice Fingerprint clearance.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Olympia School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Officer - James Whitehead, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io; Executive Director of Elementary Education - Autumn Lara, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io; Section 504 and ADA Coordinator (Students) - Ken Turcotte, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io; ADA Coordinator (Staff) - Starla Hoff, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io; Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator - Scott Niemann, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io. Address: Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506.


The Olympia School District will provide reasonable Accommodations to enable persons with disabilities the opportunity to apply for open positions and to participate in District interview procedures. Persons with disabilities or are in need of translation services are asked to notify the Human Resources Office at least three days prior to the date on which the requested accommodation is needed. Human Resources Officer: Voice: View phone number on click.appcast.io or TDD: View phone number on click.appcast.io or FAX: View phone number on click.appcast.io.