SECONDARY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER(S) 2026-27

Bellevue School District; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 73,990 - 138,754; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A public school district in Bellevue, Washington, is seeking a dedicated special education teacher to develop and implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities. The successful candidate will create a positive classroom environment and collaborate with other staff, parents, and the community, ensuring a culturally responsive teaching approach. This role requires a valid Washington teaching certificate with a special education endorsement. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Teach students with disabilities ranging from mild to severe/profound.
• Ability and willingness to assist with personal care for students.
• Experience in a multi-cultural environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Monitor student progress with ongoing data collection.
• Foster a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participate in all required staff meetings.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Organizational skills

Ability to work with others

Culturally relevant teaching practices

Differentiated instructional practices

Technology literacy

Teamwork ability

Positive communication with students and parents

Education

Valid Washington State teaching certificate with a special education endorsement

Job description

Position Objective

The District’s special education service delivery model is a continuum, including in‑class support, co‑teaching, resource rooms, replacement classes, self‑contained classrooms, and one‑on‑one in the home.

Commitment to Equity

The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency in an international community.

Duties & Responsibilities

Depending on the instructional setting and grade level in which you work, duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop comprehensive and compliant Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Plan and provide specially designed instruction in accordance with students’ IEP goals, and monitor progress with ongoing data collection.
• Develop and implement individual behavior plans informed by functional behavioral assessment data.
• Work cooperatively with regular education teachers, paraeducators, and other student services staff; including consulting, providing services in general education classrooms, and co‑teaching.
• Center instruction on high expectations for student achievement by establishing a culture for learning, providing clear communication with students and engaging students in learning.
• Demonstrate effective teaching practices through use of questioning and discussion techniques and reflection on teaching.
• Identify individual student learning needs and develop strategies to address those needs; demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness.
• Provide clear and intentional focus on subject matter content and curriculum through knowledge of content and pedagogy, setting instructional outcomes, and designing coherent instruction.
• Foster and manage a safe, positive learning environment through creating a respectful and rapport‑building environment, managing classroom procedures, student behavior, and organizing a safe physical space for learning.
• Use multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning; design assessments, use assessment in instruction, and maintain accurate student records.
• Communicate and collaborate with parents and the school community through effective and ongoing communication.
• Exhibit collaborative and collegial practices focused on improving instructional practice and student learning.
• Participate in a professional community, grow and develop professionally and demonstrate professionalism.
• Establish student growth goals to ensure student growth over time.
• Direct the activities of assigned non‑certificated personnel.
• Attend or participate in all required staff meetings and other activities required by the District and/or building principal.
• Participate in site‑based decision‑making processes.

Depending on Specific Position Vacancy

• Education and/or experience teaching students preschool to grade 5, as well as disabilities ranging from mild to severe/profound.
• Ability and willingness to transfer, toilet, and feed students.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to and is supervised by the Building Administrator.

Education & Experience

• Possess or qualify for immediate issuance of a valid Washington State teaching certificate with a special education endorsement.

Preferred

• Ability to instruct in multiple languages.
• Experience working in a multi‑cultural environment.
• Experience working with medically complex students.

Licensing Requirements

• Possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be willing to drive and transport students in District van or District car for community work experience programs.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of behavior management strategies.
• Knowledge of IEP process and the writing of goals/objectives and behavior intervention plans.

Skills

• Skills in oral and written communication.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work with other members of a school or department to accomplish common goals.
• Ability to perform in accordance with applicable board policies and district and legal requirements.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity through culturally relevant teaching practices.
• Provides high quality instruction through knowledge of differentiated instructional practices and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Ability to individualize instruction for gifted, mainstreamed, English‑language learners, and students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
• Ability to develop students’ technology literacy.
• Ability to work in a collaborative or team approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, collaboratively and positively with students, parents, and colleagues, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with students in multi‑aged groups.
• Ability to use varied assessments, including performance tasks, portfolios, and student self‑assessment.
• Attends ongoing professional development activities, such as college coursework, professional associations, workshops, and in‑service opportunities.
• Exhibits a strong and positive attitude with the belief that each student can be taught and has the right and capacity to achieve personal academic excellence.
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.

Physical Requirements

Positions require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force may be required, and/or up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Conditions of Employment

Salary: $73,990 to $138,754 annual salary based on the negotiated collective bargaining agreement salary schedule. Certificated staff work the school year contract with placement on the District and BEA bargaining agreement schedule. Medical, dental, vision, long‑term disability, and life‑insurance eligibility are based on .45 FTE. Retirement provided through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

Verification & Eligibility

Verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States must be completed. The District does not currently provide visa sponsorship. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory background checks, criminal history checks with fingerprinting, sexual misconduct checks, and approval by the Bellevue School Board.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator: Nancy Pham, (425) 456‑4040, [e-mail]
• Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456‑4010, [e-mail]
• Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Kerince Bowen, (425) 456‑4168, [e-mail]

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.