Middle School Special Education Teacher

Middle School Special Education Teacher BACK TO JOB BOARD

JOB STATUS

Full-time

GRADE LEVEL

Middle School

JOB TYPE

Teaching

ORGANIZATION

Rainier Prep

LOCATION

Seattle

CONTACT EMAIL

apply@rainierprep.org

TO APPLY

Go to www.rainierprep.org/careers and click “apply here” to begin the application process. Then email a cover letter and resume to apply@rainierprep.org. Rainier Prep will invite selected candidates for interviews. The selection process will continue until the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of employment and certification verification, fingerprinting, etc.

ABOUT RAINIER PREP:
Rainier Prep is a rigorous college preparatory 5th – 8th public charter school located on the border
of South Seattle and Burien, WA. We believe in the inherent capacity of every student to succeed
in a college prep environment. Rainier Prep aims to achieve radically different outcomes for
students who experience the most obstacles to college degrees and representation in leadership
positions.
STAFF WE SEEK:
At Rainier Prep, we believe that teachers are the cornerstone of creating an exceptional school.
Teachers at Rainier Prep are collaborative, adaptable team members who are instrumental in
creating, modeling, and sustaining a culture of high expectations, rigorous learning, curiosity, hard
work, and family engagement. Applicants need to be deeply motivated to provide the best
educational experience possible for our community. Rainier Prep staff are expected to be creative
in building new programs, as well as solutions-oriented in addressing the challenges that inevitably
arise in a school setting. We model a growth mindset and foster continuous learning in students,
families, and colleagues.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Establish Strong Classroom and School Culture:
● Model an approach to learning that emphasizes risk-taking, respect, curiosity, and constant
commitment to quality improvement, while leading students to handle adversity and
ambiguity well
● Thrive in an innovative, reflective culture that demands flexibility and quick adjustments to
meet student needs
● All instructional positions at Rainier Prep teach Reading 4 days per week for 30 minutes
Deliver Excellent Results:
● Plan high-interest, multimedia, fast-paced small group lessons with clear outcomes that
students can understand
● Deliver specially designed instruction to students receiving special services, create lessons
around Universal Design for Learning to engage all learners within a general education
setting
● Use formative assessment data frequently to guide instruction and gain additional
knowledge about how to diagnose and correct students’ misconceptions
● Write high-quality IEPs that showcase students’ strengths and facilitate IEP meetings that
engage parents in dialogue
● Communicate with students and families on progress of goals
● Remain in compliance with data tracking and IEP and Evaluation timelines
● Communicate with Student Support Team, Special Education Content Lead, and Director of
Instruction
Lead a Student Advisory Group:
● Start and end the school day with a group of 12-16 students to promote focus on readiness
for instruction, goal-setting, growth mindset, and positive problem-solving
● Establish healthy mentor relationships with students, and serve as a resource to help
students navigate both their successes and challenges
● Serve as the main point of contact for each advisee’s families, including three
parent-advisor-student meetings in August, November, and March
Collaborate with Colleagues:
● Co-plan with general education teachers in order to deliver high quality, differentiated
instruction to small groups of students
● Observe colleagues’ lessons, and provide feedback to improve teaching and learning
● Collaborate with grade-level and subject-area colleagues on advisory and all courses
taught
● Support common school-wide systems, and assist in special projects and school events as
needed
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A Bachelor’s Degree
2. A valid teaching certificate or a willingness to obtain a valid teaching certificate*
3. A valid Special Education Certificate or a willingness to obtain a valid Special Education
certificate*
4. Culturally competent and responsive instruction with diverse students and families, a
commitment for advocating for all children, and experience working with students of similar
backgrounds
5. Excellent relationship-building and communication skills with adults and students alike
6. Excellent technology skills including collaborative platforms, Google, Word, Excel, slides
and video conferencing.
7. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
8. Ability to work independently and as a team member
9. Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills
10. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Fluent in Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Arabic
2. Master’s Degree
3. 2 years teaching experience
4. Classroom data which demonstrates that your students are outperforming the odds
5. Experience in a high-performing district or charter school that is significantly outperforming
its neighboring schools
SALARY:
Salary depends on full-time years of classroom teaching experience and level of education, and
ranges from $48,000-$101,000. School vacations/holidays + benefits such as health, dental and
vision insurance, and retirement will be included.
HIRING PROCESS:
Go to www.rainierprep.org/careers and click “apply here” to begin the application process. Then
email a cover letter and resume to apply@rainierprep.org. Rainier Prep will invite selected
candidates for interviews. The selection process will continue until the position is filled. Hiring is
contingent upon successful completion of employment and certification verification, fingerprinting,
etc.
*CERTIFICATION:
Teachers with certification in other states will be strongly considered. Washington State has a
process for converting certificates from other states, and there is significant variability between
states on the conversion process. Candidates will be responsible for completing all steps toward
Washington state certification in order to begin work in Rainier Prep. We have a partnership with
the University of Washington UACT program where it is possible for candidates to work toward
their K-8 teacher certification while working full-time.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT:
Rainier Prep is an equal opportunity employer, and thus affords equal employment and
advancement opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion,
national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, disability, marital status,
medical condition, or any other classification that is protected under applicable local, state or
federal law.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Rainier Prep will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects
of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color,
national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender
expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or
the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Rainier Prep will
provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated
youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. Rainier Prep
programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon
request to individuals with disabilities. The below listed compliance officers have been elected to
handle questions, comments, and complaints of alleged discrimination. They are available at 10211
12th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98168 or by phone at (206) 494-5979
Title IX Coordinator: Kamille Dye, Finance and HR Officer, kdye@rainierprep.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Mash Makhlyagina, Learning Specialist,
mmakhlyagina@rainierprep.org
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: kdye@rainierprep.org, Finance and HR Officer,
kdye@rainierprep.org