Circle of Friends is a Lane County 501(c)(3) that was founded on one simple concept: children and youth with severe disabilities are just like anyone else – they deserve opportunities. Through resources, support, training, education, and a community built on compassion, we are here to break the cycle of isolation for these individuals and the people who love them.
We are facilitating change in the educational services that are provided to youth with severe and complex disabilities and are seeking positive individuals to join our mission. We are hiring immediately, and for the '24-'25 school year. As a Lead Teacher, you will be developing, planning, and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in an Alternative Education Placement for school-age youth with complex disabilities. A lead teacher will promote the culture and learning environment that provides high quality instructional strategies, motivates student emotional and behavioral engagement, and stimulates curiosity and interest in activities across all settings.
Job Duties
● Utilize relevant information gathered from school district eligibility reports, previous educational records, physician and specialist evaluations, parent interviews, observations, and student interest inventories to identify students’ educational, social, communication, physical, and recreational leisure needs.
● Using an interdisciplinary team approach that includes Circle of Friends School specialists, therapists, health care professionals, and family, you will develop an Individualized Education Plan that includes long term goals and objectives.
● Provide service coordination and advocacy services to youth that includes assessing needs, strengths, understanding medical and educational needs, and assisting families in obtaining appropriate services or making appropriate referrals to resources and services in the community that supports the youth’s needs and/or goals.
● Demonstrates understanding of devices, programs, and communication systems that support functional and social communication skills of youth with severe disabilities.
● Implements prescribed program plans, as instructed and directed by a Circle of Friends School specialist, therapist, or health care professionals, to support student learning, health, wellbeing, and most importantly, build skills in the all activities of daily living; physical mobility and strength, fine motor skills related to reaching, manipulating materials, and self feeding, functional communication and social communication skills with communication partners, and skill
development that promotes student independence.
● Ensure the care, safety, and welfare of all students during personal care/hygiene routines, feeding/mealtime routines, learning tasks, daily communication system/device use, social communication skills activities, physical education and other recreational activities.
● Create classroom schedules, individual student’s instructional schedules, classroom staff break and lunch schedules, and other schedules pertaining to student teaching and learning.
● Lead IEP, educational meetings, and parent-teacher conferences to present reports, work samples, videos, or photographs that communicate individual student progress and performance during instructional, recreation, and
activities of daily living.
● Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to convey information, promote conflict resolution, and build relationships with parents, students, school personnel, community members, and any individuals affiliated with the Circle of Friends School.
● Promote a culture of learning built upon student emotional and behavioral engagement, use of best practices, and student interests in all activities across all settings.
Education and Experience
-Current Oregon Teaching License with Special Education endorsement issued through TSPC
-Bachelor’s Degree from accredited university
-At least five years of experience working directly with preschool, elementary, middle, or high school-age youth with disabilities
How to apply: Interested candidates should submit an application, cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation to Jenn Davis: jenn@circleoffriendsschool.org.
Pay begins at $60,000; 10-month contract.
Benefits include Dental, Vision, Health, 401K.
Join a dynamic, compassionate, and growing team! Please see the attached job description for more information.
