0.4 FTE Special Education Teacher - OCEAN

PORT TOWNSEND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Human Resources-Job Posting

Position Opening Announcement: 0.4 FTE Special Education Teacher OCEAN

2026-27 School Year

Posting Date: September 11, 2026 Posting No: 2026-46

OCEAN School is a K-12 Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program within the Port Townsend School District that offers flexible pathways for student learning, including the Family Partnership Program, an Online Program, and the Open Doors re-engagement program. The Family Partnership Program blends part-time on-campus instruction with family-supported learning at home, enabling students to pursue personalized learning plans while staying connected to a vibrant, supportive learning community.

OCEAN champions experiential, project-based, and place-based learning, integrating community-connected experiences that make learning relevant and meaningful. Students thrive in multi-age classrooms where teachers, families, and peers collaborate closely to foster curiosity, independence, and real-world problem-solving skills. Through individualized learning plans, regular conferences, and hands-on community projects, OCEAN supports students in exploring their interests, taking ownership of their learning, and developing skills that extend beyond the classroom.

OCEAN School is seeking a 0.4 FTE Special Education Teacher to provide specially designed instruction, case management, and collaborative support for students across OCEAN''s Family Partnership Program, Online Program, and Open Doors Program.

The position will primarily serve high school students, with the flexibility to support students in grades K-12 based on student and program needs. The successful candidate will be comfortable working within OCEAN''s unique Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) model and will understand that special education services may look different in a family partnership, online, or other nontraditional learning environment.

This position requires a collaborative, flexible educator who can build strong relationships with students and families, work closely with general education teachers and support staff, and help students make meaningful progress toward their individual goals, graduation, and postsecondary plans.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Current Washington State Teaching Certificate with a Special Education endorsement.
• Experience working with students with disabilities and providing specially designed instruction.
• Knowledge of special education laws, regulations, evaluation processes, IEP development and implementation, progress monitoring, and documentation.
• Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and document IEP services and progress toward IEP goals.
• Ability to use student data to identify needs, monitor progress, and adjust instruction and supports.
• Knowledge of evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices for students with diverse learning needs.
• Ability to support students with academic, behavioral, social-emotional, executive functioning, and/or functional needs.
• Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Strong communication, organization, flexibility, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) environment.
• Ability to develop and manage a flexible instructional and service schedule within a nontraditional school setting.
• Demonstrated competence with educational technology and assistive technology.

Preferred

• Experience working in an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program.
• Experience working with Open Doors students.
• Experience supporting students in online or blended learning environments.
• Experience working with high school students with disabilities.
• Experience with transition planning, graduation planning, and postsecondary readiness.
• Experience supporting students with significant emotional or behavioral needs.
• Experience with Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Experience with project-based, community-connected, or place-based learning.
• Knowledge and experience with evidence-based literacy and mathematics interventions.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide specially designed instruction and other special education services as outlined in students'' IEPs across OCEAN''s Family Partnership, Online, and Open Doors programs.
• Primarily support high school students, with flexibility to serve students in grades K-12 based on program and student needs.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and document IEPs and provide progress reports in accordance with district and state requirements.
• Collect and use student data to monitor progress toward IEP goals and adjust instruction and supports as needed.
• Provide individual and small-group specially designed instruction and support in academic, behavioral, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills.
• Collaborate with general education teachers to provide accommodations, modifications, and access to grade-level curriculum.
• Partner with families to support student learning and implementation of IEP services within OCEAN''s Family Partnership model.
• Support students in making progress toward graduation and postsecondary goals, including transition planning and High School and Beyond Plan development.
• Collaborate with counselors, paraeducators, related service providers, and community partners to support student success.
• Support positive behavior, emotional self-regulation, and student independence using appropriate evidence-based strategies.
• Contribute to MTSS, PBIS, UDL, and other school-wide systems of student support.
• Participate in IEP meetings, evaluations, staff meetings, professional learning, and other school activities.
• Collaborate with OCEAN staff to provide meaningful project-based, community-connected, and place-based learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Internal applicants should write a letter of application to the Human Resources Director addressing the qualifications. The letter should reach the Human Resources Office on or before 4:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026.

External applications for this position will be accepted until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials are available online at https://www.ptschols.org/o/pts/page/employment

Bargaining Unit: Port Townsend Education Association

Salary Range: DOE, Salary for the 2026-27 year is $63,222 - 122,932 for a 1.0 FTE.

Salary will be pro-rated to reflect a .4 FTE teaching position.

BENEFITS:

Benefits include Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision, AD&D, and Basic Life insurance coverages. Retirement is through the WA State Department of Retirement, plans available: TERS Plan 2 or TERS Plan 3.

A COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS INCLUDES:

• Completed application form
• Current Resume
• Letter of Interest stating your qualifications
• Three letters of recommendation from current/previous supervisors
• Unofficial transcripts
• Photocopy of your Washington State Certificate(s) or equivalent from another state. (Obtaining and providing a Washington State Certificate would be a provision of employment.)

For application questions contact:

Kate Santerre, Administrative Assistant or

Carrie Ehrhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources

Port Townsend School District #50

Gael Stuart Building, 1610 Blaine St

Port Townsend WA 98368

(360) 680-5755

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Port Townsend School District No. 50 complies with all federal and state rules and regulations, and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Further, the district will provide equal access and opportunity to meet to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Compliance Coordinator for State Law (RCW 28A.640/28A.642) and Title IX Coordinator: Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine St. (360)680-5756. Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Shelby MacMeekin, 1610 Blaine St. (360)680-5762.

NOTE: New employees who will have unsupervised access to children must complete a satisfactory fingerprint check with the Washington State Patrol and the FBI. Employment will be considered temporary and conditional pending a satisfactory background check. There will be a $50.00 processing fee.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer