Therapeutic Teacher - Serendipity Center Inc

Serendipity Center, a private therapeutic school, provides specialized education and treatment to children and adolescents who lack the skills, confidence, and/or support to be successful learners. Annually Serendipity serves a variety of students, aged 6 to 21, and their families.

SUMMARY
Teaches academic and life skills subjects to students with multiple and complex handicapping conditions (emotional, behavioral, neurological, cognitive and/or psychiatric). Integrates mental health supports into classroom environment with instruction characterized by individual approaches and accommodations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Contributes to the development of IEP Plan and oversees the implementation of IEP and Treatment Plan goals and documentation.
• Ensures that learning activities and materials support the instructional goals, engages all learners possible, and promotes pro-social and independent functioning; adjusts strategies as the conditions of the day require.
• Evaluates regularly student progress on academic, social and emotional goals; compiles this information for each student's annual IEP meeting.
• Maintains knowledge of each student's skill and achievement levels, learning modalities, IEP goals, strengths, disabilities, effective strategies, and mental heath issues. Applies this knowledge appropriately in planning and instructing.
• Develops and implements lesson plans appropriate for age and developmental ability.
• Collaborates with mental heath and classroom staff regarding goals, criteria, strategies, protocols and interventions for use inside and outside of class for individual students.
• Seeks advice, guidance and support from the mental health team when student behaviors require intervention.
• Establishes and monitors classroom learning culture defined by safety, respect, acceptance, creative problem solving, structure and positive responses to the efforts of students.
• Manages student behavior by adapting the prescribed discipline protocol system based upon individual needs and the needs of the group.
• Evaluates outcomes of disciplinary, intervention and instruction approaches making adjustments to maximize student behavioral learning, independence, and self-esteem.
• Maintains complete and accurate records for attendance, classroom performance, grades, credits, and lesson planning purposes; documents progress on IEP goals, behavioral contracts and other student plans.
• Facilitates Core Group; provides instruction, practice and support for students to acquire life skills such as goal setting and evaluation, self-management, planning, understanding, understanding rules of conduct, self-advocacy, effective communication, establishing and maintaining relationships, accessing resources and self-care.
• Coaches and provides support needed by students. Coaching may include listening, advising, problem solving, behavioral contracting, intervention planning, reinforcing positive skills, role playing or mediating.
• Shares observations of student behavior with mental health team.
• Establishes and maintains a rapport with students characterized by professionalism and respect.
• Protects confidentiality of information related to students and families.
• Reports to Treatment Director (or designated substitute) all suspicions of potential child abuse, neglect, self-harm and/or endangerment of others.
• Completes daily written feedback to parents on Goal Sheets.
• Maintains familiarity with Serendipity's safety protocols and implements all required instruction, drills and procedures.
• Oversees activities of Program Assistants and Skills Trainers working as a part of the classroom team; gives direction, guidance and feedback to these staff.
• Models appropriate behavior for students and professional behavior for staff.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Participates actively in professional growth activities, by attending on and off campus trainings, seminars and conferences, and by contributing to the overall successful operation of the program and School.
• Attends and participates actively in regular department and other staff meetings.
• Provides constant supervision of students, particularly during transitions points in the school day (i.e. arrival, meals, breaks, restroom, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Mentors peers as requested to assist with orientation and training of new staff or staff new to position.
• Performs crisis intervention and CPI approved physical management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES While this position directs the activities of classroom staff, it does not include any supervisory responsibilities such as appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, interviewing, and hiring.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education/experience: Bachelor's Degree plus Fifth year college or university program certificate in Education; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification/Licenses: Current Oregon Teaching License or current license from another state pending Oregon licensure; current CPI certification (can be obtained on the job).
• General Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to students, groups of staff, and public groups. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Computer Skills: None required.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. The employee must occasionally perform physical management techniques on children. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Other Requirements: Pass a pre-employment drug screen and Mental Health and Development Disability Services Division criminal records check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to assault by a student. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally may be very loud.