A Teacher Assistant assists classroom teachers by providing extra individual attention and instruction to students. Helps teachers with recordkeeping, preparation for lessons and activities and supervising students. May work with special education students, or work in a school library or computer lab; may be called teacher aide or paraprofessional.
Special Education Teacher, Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support (Breathe Program) - King Middle
Portland Public Schools
King Middle School - Portland, Maine Job Details
Job ID:
5887187
Application Deadline:
Posted until filled
Posted:
Today
Job Description
TITLE:
Special Education Teacher, Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support (Breathe Program) Moore Middle
POSITION OVERVIEW
Portland Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified special educator for our Breathe Program at Lyman Moore Middle School. The Special Education Teacher / Case Manager works with Breathe Program students in both mainstream and special education settings, and collaborates with the Breathe Program Social Worker and BCBA to determine optimal programming for students. The Breathe Special Education Teacher is responsible for overseeing the delivery of services in students' Individual Education Plans and providing specialized instruction to ensure that each student progresses in meeting IEP goals.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide evidence-based specially designed instruction to students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) to ensure that each student progresses in meeting the district's learning benchmarks
Serve as case manager for each student, overseeing IEPs and conducting IEP meetings
Ensure compliance with requirements in the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations-Chapter 101 including timelines related to the IEP process and IEP development
Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, PPS policy and administrative regulation
Support students with Emotional Disturbances and Other Health Impairments
Create meaningful Positive Behavior Support plans
Collaborate with the Program Social Worker, BCBA, School Principals, and other related service providers (SLPs, OT, PT, etc.)
Consult with regular education teachers on a recurring basis regarding educational needs, accommodations, and modifications; provide academic support for mainstream classroom assignments
Administer academic achievement assessments for initial referrals and triennial reviews
Develop pathways to support students' progress toward meeting academic standard
Attend meetings, professional development and in-service training
Coordinate ed techs' schedules to best support students in mainstream classes
Takes all necessary and safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities
Communicate student progress with parents/guardians
Support students' transition from 5th to 6th or 8th to 9th grade and assist with post-secondary planning
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of and a keen understanding of the social and emotional needs of students, knowing de-escalation strategies as well as long-term planning necessary
Strong working knowledge and experience in PBIS or similar frameworks that support students' social/emotional growth
Understanding of the teaching/learning process for students with disabilities
Ability to relate positively to students, parents, and staff
Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills
Willingness to reflect on personal implicit bias and a commitment to challenging personal perspectives and deepening self-awareness
Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education
Experience working with behavioral disabilities, experience with standards-based experiential and/or expeditionary learning
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from an accredited college or university
Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience are welcome
Portland Public Schools values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
At least one of the following Maine State Teacher Certificate endorsements (more info):
Endorsement 282 (Teacher of Children with Disabilities, K-8)
Endorsement 286 (Severe Impaired, K-12)
Maine State CHRC authorization (more info) •if you already have an active teacher certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your teacher certification
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
Schedule:
School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
Assignment:
Permanent
Reports to: School Principal
Contract:
Part of PEA union (see 2025-2028 CBA here)
Salary:
Based on education and experience, as outlined in CBA
Benefits:
Eligible for benefits as outlined here
ABOUT KING
A School for
All:
King Middle School is one of three public middle schools in the city of Portland, Maine. Our school has a rigorous curriculum that promotes a high level of student engagement through real-world learning. It has strong fieldwork and service components that connect our students to the greater community.
At King, we are committed to the belief that every student can and should achieve at a high level. We are proud to cater to a diverse group of 500 students, hailing from various racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. With over half of our students living in multilingual households and representing 29 different birth nations, King isn't just a schoolit's a reflection of our global community.
As an Expeditionary Learning School, King Middle School students engage in ten-to-twelve week experiential learning expeditions. Learning expeditions are long-term, in-depth, interdisciplinary studies into real world compelling topics. Students at King engage in two different learning expeditions per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. --
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.