Special Education Teacher (.5 FTE)
The Opportunity:
Rooted School Vancouver is part of a growing network of schools committed to ensuring every student graduates with both a college acceptance and a job offer. Located in Southwest Washington, where the IT and STEM industries project over 1,600 job openings annually, our mission is to equip students with industry-based credentials and work-based learning opportunities that create pathways to economic mobility. By joining Rooted School Vancouver, you will help drive a transformative educational experience where students from historically underserved communities thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
Overview of the Role:
As a Special Education Teacher (.5 FTE), you will play a critical role in ensuring that all students, particularly those with individualized needs, achieve success. You will lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in alignment with our data-driven approach to teaching and learning. Your work will be instrumental in creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment that centers on the needs of each student. Working collaboratively with our instructional team, families, and the broader community, you will help students meet ambitious academic and personal goals.
Above all, you will be a key partner in fulfilling the Rooted Promise: a college acceptance in one hand and a job offer in the other. This will be a challenging yet rewarding journey, and we hope you’ll join us.
Deadline to apply: Until Filled
Start Date: July 1, 2025
The Foundation of How We Work Together
We want teammates who demonstrate a passion for and commitment to Rooted's mission
We want teammates who have an unwavering commitment to radical transparency and radical open-mindedness (that, regardless of how much you know about something, you could be wrong)
We want teammates who thrive in a startup environment (comfort with frequent, focused change and ambiguity + strong initiative)
We want teammates who have knowledge, skills, and abilities related to cultural competence and equity
We want teammates who have knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others
We want teammates who have the ability to recognize each person as a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage
We want teammates who have the ability and desire to establish positive relationships with persons regardless of race, gender, physical limitation, sexual orientation or religious belief, with an active commitment to equal opportunity for all persons
We want teammates who supports a positive school environment that celebrates, respects and values diversity, where learning is made relevant and meaningful to students of various cultures
We want teammates who exhibit an exceptional ability to execute at a high level in the classroom while concurrently building secure attachments with students
We want teammates who are deeply invested in trauma-sensitive and restorative practices and masters of classroom management
We want teammates who have experience in school(s) which rely heavily on project-based learning as a means to develop content knowledge and skills (preferred)
We want teammates who have experience in school(s) which rely heavily on digital curriculum as a means to develop basic content knowledge and skills (preferred)
We want teammates who are committed to researching and remaining abreast of best instructional practices that may advance our mission
Areas of Responsibility Include (but are not limited to):
Developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that reflect data-driven goals for student learning and behavior.
Providing targeted instruction in the classroom, small groups, and 1:1 settings to meet diverse student needs.
Conducting student assessments to determine eligibility for services and to monitor progress toward IEP goals.
Organizing and leading IEP meetings, collaborating with families, teachers, and support staff to ensure a comprehensive approach to student success.
Monitoring, documenting, and digitally tracking progress on IEP goals.
Facilitate the school’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive.
Partnering with community professionals to provide wraparound services for students and families.
Qualifications:
Experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
A completed post-baccalaureate secondary teacher certification and/or a Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field.
A valid Washington State Teaching Certificate or the ability to obtain one.
Proficiency in instructional strategies, curriculum adaptation, and differentiated teaching methods.
Experience with MTSS, Response to Intervention (RtI), and analyzing state and local assessment data.
Preferred: Bilingual and/or experience working in schools that emphasize project-based and digital learning.
Bilingual preferred
Compensation:
Half-time salary starting at $26,750 (0.5 FTE) and increasing based on certificated experience, with additional compensation for advanced degrees or specialized roles. Rooted School Vancouver offers the exact same comprehensive benefits package as other public school educators in Washington State, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave, prorated for part-time positions.
To Apply:
If you're as excited about this role as we are, please click on the following link and submit an application to our Application Review Committee. If you have any questions, please contact us at work@rootedschoolvancouver.org.
Rooted School Vancouver (RSV) values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Rooted School Vancouver is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Steven Carney, Founding Executive Director
Mailing Address: 2005 SE 192nd Avenue, Suite 200, Camas, WA 98607-7475
Email: steven@rootedschoolvancouver.org
