IT ALL BEGINS WITH A SPARC

Join us in helping build the foundation for lifelong success! Skagit Preschool and Resource Center (SPARC) is a mission driven non-profit organization located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. We provide individualized services for families and their children with unique developmental needs in Skagit County, WA.  SPARC is seeking a highly motivated special education teacher to join our growing team.

OUR VISION

As a SPARC employee, we will rely on you to reflect our vision for children and families to feel supported and our community to be aware of the unique gifts of all children. Through every aspect of instruction and employee collaboration, we expect compassion, respect, and a high level of professionalism. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Previous experience with young children and/or children with disabilities is strongly recommended to ensure competency and knowledge in: program planning, development and coordination for children with a wide range of unique developmental needs. 

EDUCATION/LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Washington State Special Education Teaching Credentials (Required)
• Washington State Educational Staff Associate License (Required – May be acquired after hire) 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Include the following but are not limited to, other duties may be assigned)

• Must be able to work in a highly structured self-contained learning environment supporting students with significant needs in multiple categories inclusive of the areas of cognitive, social-emotional and adaptive
• Must be able to design and implement Individualized Education Programs including online learning programs to meet the individual student’s needs
• Must be able to assess the individual student’s current level of performance and align the student’s needs with their academic and behavioral goals
• Must be involved in the student’s behavioral, social, and academic development, helping them develop emotionally and interact effectively in social situations
• Must be able to effectively communicate with staff, administration, parents and students
• Must be able to manage and write effective Individual Educational Plans. Must be able to complete all required documentation, paperwork and forms and meet all essential deadlines (IEP’s, quarterly/doctor reports, data tracking, incident reports, emergency drills and attendance)
• Must be organized, patient, able to motivate students, understanding of their students’ individual needs, and accepting of differences in others
• Demonstrate and maintain a culturally responsive classroom environment 
• Demonstrate ability to implement ongoing instructional plans and maintain a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning
• Complete beginning of the year paperwork packet at initial parent meeting
• Keep busing matrix updated throughout the year
• Develop and submit monthly lesson plans appropriate to children’s needs and level of functioning
• Hold an active caseload, including but not limited to, SPARC only classrooms and other community partnerships as assigned 
• Ability to communicate and report progress to parent/guardians at regular intervals and maintain positive working relationships with them
• Establish and maintain communication with parents (weekly)
• Provide parents with resources and reaching techniques to facilitate home instructions
• Maintain a positive and professional environment when working with a culturally, racially and economically diverse population
• Ability to team with other specialists (OT/PT, SLP) and Community Partners. 
• Must be able to effectively manage and work with a team of support staff – Instructional Assistants and classroom volunteers
• Document, report and inform supervisor of any incidents of possible abuse and/or neglect
• Attend and participate and/or offer in service activities that ensure continuous professional growth such as workshops, conferences, conventions, classes and in services. 10 hours of professional development required annually. It is the individual’s responsibility to turn in professional development certificates to supervisor
• Notify your supervisor of major program changes, special material requests, time-off requests, absences, personnel and administrative matters etc.
• Attend home visits/conferences per your centers schedule
• Maintain confidentiality at all times with co-workers, parents, center staff and outside professionals
• Communicate and coordinate child’s program bi-weekly or monthly with other professionals
• Supervise activities of instructional assistants and volunteers working in your classroom
• Complete evaluations of supervised personnel as required or requested

WORK ENVIRONMENT

SPARC strives to provide an inclusive and inviting work environment.  We value a multidisciplinary, team-oriented approach in all services to our community. Individualized Service Plans are implemented in a classroom settings depending on each child’s individual program and needs. Teams communicate and collaborate regularly in order to support each other and the families we serve.   

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Classification: Full-Time (34 hours per week) 

Pay: $33.67 – $53.79 per hour (Annual contracted hours are calculated and paid on a 12 month salary basis)

Reports to: Team Lead

Schedule: Monday – Thursday work week 

Contract Type: 10 month school district year of September – June (additional hours and pay occasionally during the summer months)

BENEFITS

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual continuing education reimbursement opportunities
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with company match
• Reimbursement for work related mileage
• Reimbursement for applicable licenses 
• Paid time off
• Summers off
• 4 day work week
  

TRAVEL

Local travel between SPARC locations is required. For this reason, employees must have a valid driver’s license, car insurance, and reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to spend periods of time:

• Sitting on the floor
• Stooping
• Kneeling
• Lifting children up to fifty pounds
• Bending over/down to children’s level
• Physically restraining a child (when incorporated in his/her behavior plan)

SPARC is an equal opportunity employer.