Therapeutic School Teacher, Functional Therapeutic School - Heron Creek
Location: Heron Creek Campus, 17600 Pacific Hwy, Marylhurst, OR 97036
Schedule: 8 hours per day / 5 days per week / 190-day Instructional Calendar
FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR 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.
About the program:
The Heron Creek Programs assess the collective strengths of students, families, schools and the community to develop collaborative plans, enabling students with significant social, emotional, behavioral and academic challenges to learn and use skills to meet their educational goals in the least restrictive environment. The Heron Creek Programs will be differentiated from behavioral classrooms in the inclusive approach of the team. The programs are evidence-based with an emphasis on family participation; integration of education and school based mental health service throughout the day, as well as the maintenance of continuous connections between the student, family and local school district personnel. The program will emphasize strengths-based assessment and collaboration with local systems of care.
About this position:
The Teacher designs a positive learning environment and delivers instruction to students whose educational needs are primarily the result of significant social, emotional and behavioral challenges. The Teacher is responsible for assessment of each student's individual academic needs, individualization of the regular education curriculum (K-12), development of IEPs as appropriate and collaboration with the therapeutic team to support achievement of home, school, and social/emotional goals.
Essential functions: - Assesses students' academic needs using standardized achievement, criterion referenced and psychoeducational tests, and completes three-year-re-evaluation for special education eligility in compliance with state and federal regulations
- Identifies students' individual academic needs and leads the child study team in the development of individual education plans or individual program plans
- Plans, selects, and teaches academic curriculum using the regular education, grade level and credit courses (K-12)
- Co-instructs with the Social Skills Specialist to integrate academic and social skills development
- Collaborates with therapeutic team members to develop and implement a comprehensive program for students and their families, with each member of the team sharing their specific expertise and fulfillment of a discrete role to meet the education and social/emotional needs of students
- Contributes to team development using a solution based focus, seeking and using the expertise and perspectives of other team members to develop common understandings and agreements
- Utilizes crisis prevention and intervention strategies including the use of safe restraint in situations where students could injure themselves or others
- Communicates with students during instruction and interpersonal interaction using language structure, tone and body language that promotes positive student behavior, conflict resolution and problem solving, effective management of power struggles, and applies proactive strategies for management of escalating behavior
- Monitors and records student progress including portfolios, report cards and credits earned
- Confers frequently with district, consulting education staff, students, and, as appropriate, with parents concerning the academic progress or concerns of all assigned students
- Provides for the daily supervision of classroom educational assistants, including training, assignment of tasks, and completion of required observations and evaluations
- Works cooperatively with local district and/or private agency administration and staff, fulfilling responsibilities as a member of the school or facility
- Compiles student data required under IDEA or necessary for local, state and federal reporting, assists the program secretary to maintain accurate student records
- Maintains a safe, therapeutic environment for students
- Selects instructional materials and manages the district resources assigned to the classroom
- Maintains knowledge of best practices in the field, and demonstrates quality teaching techniques
- Participates in planning meetings, training sessions and in-services
- Uses technology to produce and manage student information
Minimum qualifications: - Current Oregon teaching license with appropriate endorsement to teach in highly qualified areas
- Knowledge and experience in special education teaching students whose primary disability is severe social/emotional or behavioral challenges
- Ability to assess and teach academic skills (K-12) in math, reading and language arts
- Ability to assess learning problems and determine eligibility for special education under Oregon Administrative Rules for Learning Disabilities, Severe Emotional Disturbance, Other Health Impaired, Intellectual Disability, Autism
- Ability to compose and produce concise professional documents
- Working knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations and procedures
- Skilled at working with other professionals such as counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists as resources for planning and delivery of specially-designed programs
- Ability to develop and utilize complex scheduling and time management techniques in the daily operation of the instructional program
- Ability to supervise one or more educational assistants
- Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card
- Valid Oregon driver license
- Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions
- Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions
- Ability to acquire and maintain Pro-ACT certification as appropriate
- Technology skills sufficient to perform the essential functions
Salary: Licensed Salary Schedule can be found here for the 2024-25 and the 2025-26 school years.
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
- Clackamas ESD covers the full cost of fingerprinting for new employees, saving you $82.50 - a benefit not offered by most other districts
- Read more about our benefits here
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
