Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, Life Enrichment Education Program (LEEP)
Location: Itinerant
Schedule: 8 hours per day/ 5 days per week/ 190-day Instructional School Year Calendar
Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at hr@clackesd.org to discuss your application.
Find your "why" with Clackamas ESD
At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities — big and small — have access to equitable education services. Learn more: https://www.clackesd.org/about/
About the program:
The Life Enrichment Education Program (LEEP) provides specially designed instruction and related services for eligible Clackamas County students ages 5-21 years. Students attend self-contained classrooms in schools located throughout the county. The curriculum focuses on personal management, communication, practical living skills, vocational skills, leisure and recreation activities, and social skills. Based on the individual needs of each student, the ESD offers speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, adaptive PE, and nursing support. LEEP also provides an extended school year program in the summer for students who would regress because of a lengthy educational recess.
About this position:
The Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher will design and implement adaptive physical education programs for students with intellectual disabilities existing concurrently with high intensity support needs. The APE Teacher will consult with the special program teacher and other related service staff to determine the needs of students and develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The APE Teacher works as a member of the program’s Motor Team.
Essential functions:
-Assesses and evaluates students' gross motor, physical fitness, play, leisure, and recreation needs which impact the student’s ability to participate in the regular physical education program
-Elicits input from special education staff (Teacher, OT, PT, Communication, Nursing) and other outside consultants, and works closely with parents and students, as appropriate, in the adaptive program design
-Identifies students’ individual APE needs and goals through participation in the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
-Develops appropriate APE plans to make progress toward achieving the student goals and objectives identified in the IEP
-Provides individualized or small group APE to students whose IEPs contain APE services
-Co-teaches APE instructional activities with other special education staff, provides training for staff to implement the activities on a regular basis, and provides observation and feedback
-Consults regularly with special education staff and local district APE and PE teachers, as requested, regarding implementation of APE instructional activities
-Assists classroom staff to manage student behavior, as necessary, by utilizing intervention techniques designed by the teacher or classroom instructional team, following guidelines for use of the least intrusive intervention and best practices consistent with students’ needs and disabilities
-Develops systems to record, monitor, and interpret student progress
-Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, ESD policy, and Oregon administrative regulations
-Participates in planning and program development with the LEEP Motor Team, including the Physical Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
-Orders materials and equipment to implement instruction in the educational setting
-Locates additional resources and facilities necessary to implement leisure recreation and therapeutic activities such as swimming. Coordinates and schedules community leisure recreation activities (e.g., swimming, weight lifting, roller skating, bowling)
-Develops and utilizes scheduling and time management techniques to implement APE in a number of different classrooms and school settings during the day and week
-Arranges for use of local districts’ physical education facilities in the schools where the program’s classrooms are located
Minimum qualifications:
-Current Oregon Teaching License with a Physical Education Endorsement and Adaptive Physical Education Specialization
-Knowledge and successful experience teaching students with low incidence disabilities, including intellectual disability and autism
-Familiarity with the adaptive equipment frequently utilized with students who have significant mental and physical disabilities
-Demonstrated ability to compose and produce concise professional documents
-Skill at co-teaching
-Skilled at working with other related services staff and teachers as resources for planning and delivery of therapy
-Working knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regulations and procedures
-Ability to develop and utilize complex scheduling and time management techniques in the daily operation of the instructional program
-Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card
-Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions
-Physical and mental attributes required to perform essential functions
-Ability to acquire and maintain adopted behavioral intervention certification (i.e. NCI/CPI)
Salary: Salary based on experience, and will be based on the 2024-25 Licensed Salary Schedule. For reference, see the Licensed Salary Schedule: https://www.clackesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LIC-A_24-26-Salary-S...
Benefits:
-Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution (most employees pay $0 out of pocket to maintain health insurance coverage)
-Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
-Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
-Opportunities to grow with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
-Read more about our benefits here: https://www.clackesd.org/employment/
Retirement plan contributions:
Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.
How to apply:
Submit your application at https://www.applitrack.com/clackesd/onlineapp/. Applications for this position must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the listed closing date and must include:
-Cover Letter
-Resume
-Completed application form
Clackamas Education Service District is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce along with the students and families that we serve.
Clackamas ESD policy provides veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law.
Clackamas ESD Notice of Nondiscrimination: https://www.clackesd.org/non-discrimination-and-title-ix/