Certificated Teacher (1.0 FTE)

Pioneer Elementary School

Special Education Teacher-Options

2025-2026 School Year

Our District:

Pioneer School District serves approximately 750 P-8 students and encompasses a rural area east of Shelton in the South Puget Sound region. The district is mainly forested, accented by lakes and waterways with multiple recreational opportunities. The district's newer schools (remodeled and rebuilt in 2017) and its quality education coupled with its beautiful setting is attracting young families to the area. Our community is known for having a strong commitment to supporting our schools and our students. Our district is committed to ensuring that every student achieves high levels of learning every day.

Our Community:

Pioneer School District is in a beautiful, rural community in the South Puget Sound region of Washington state – one of the most beautiful and livable areas of the state with numerous recreational opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing in beautiful Mason County. The Pioneer community offers a balanced lifestyle in a beautiful, family-oriented rural community with easy access to urban areas of the South Puget Sound area and the amenities of the West Coast.

Job Description:

The job of a special education options teacher is done for the purpose(s) of facilitating Special Education student success in pre-academics /academics, interpersonal skills and activities of functional daily living through implementing District approved curriculum; documenting teaching as well as student progress / activities, outcomes; addressing specific needs of student; providing a safe and optimal learning environment and providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

Essential Responsibilities:

Adapts lesson(s) for the purpose of implementing the IEP goals and meeting the special needs of students.
Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher’s expectations, developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the school environment.
Assesses student’s functional life and daily living skills (behavioral, motor development, communication, personal care, safety, etc.) and cognitive needs (e.g. developmental level, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating students and family requirements, placement and success of the student’s program.
Collaborates with school personnel, agencies and community agencies (e.g. social service agencies, caretakers, etc.) for the purpose of developing and modifying the program to maximize the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
Develops, monitors and evaluates specially designed instructional programs for the students on his/her caseload.
Directs instructional assistants, volunteers, and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.
Instructs students with individualized special needs for the purpose of developing appropriate functional daily living skills, personal care, safety and cognitive needs using research based instructional techniques and strategies.
Manages individual students’ schedules and needs for the purpose of providing a safe and an optimal learning environment.
Prepares teaching materials and reports (e.g. attendance, anecdotal records, performance data, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher instruction and student progress.
Provides a program for special education students which meet applicable district, state and federal requirements as they apply to the specific student
Reports incidents (i.e. suspected child abuse, neglect, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.

Performance Responsibilities:

Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations at the time designated
Develops and maintains a classroom environment conducive to effective learning within the limits of the resources provided by the district
Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor
Insist that students maintain high standards of behavior and exemplifies proper behavior through appropriate modeling
Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities
Evaluates and monitors student progress on a regular basis
Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations
Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations and board policy
Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms
Must attend and participate in all faculty and staff meetings except when excused by the principal
Participates and cooperates with other members of the staff in planning instructional goals, objectives and methods

Required Qualifications:

A Washington teaching certificate and endorsement/credential for the instruction level of this position
Job related experience along with knowledge of age appropriate teaching methods and Washington state learning standards
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks, maintain records, establish and maintain cooperative relationships with students, parents, other school personnel, and meet schedules and deadlines
Effective verbal and written communication skills including the ability to professionally and respectfully engage in conversations with students, parents, and staff
Experience successfully using assessment data for instructional decision-making to improve student learning.

Pay/Benefits

Salary schedule is starting rate BA0/0-$63,842 to MA90/16-$120,331 depending on experience and transcripts.

Insurance BenefitsEmployees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits. Pioneer School District benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation-Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allow you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Click on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/ for information on the 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems. To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-The Pioneer School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Jeff Davis, 360-426-9115, jdavis@psd402.org, Address: 112 E. Spencer Lake Road, Shelton, WA 98584. Section 504 Compliance Coordinator: Amy Dahlberg, 360-427-2737, adahlberg@psd402.org. Address: 112 E. Spencer Lake Road, Shelton, WA 98584. Title IX Coordinator: Amy Koster, 360-426-9115, akoster@psd402.org. Address: 112 E. Spencer Lake Road, Shelton, WA 98584.

Complaint procedures can be found on website under Board Policy #3210 (students) and #5010 (employees).

The Pioneer School District will provide reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities the opportunity to apply for open positions and to participate in District interview procedures. Persons with disabilities or who need translation services are asked to notify the Human Resources Office at 360-426-9115 at least three days prior to the date on which the requested accommodation is needed.