Special Education Ed Tech III, Breathe Program - Longfellow Elementary

TrulyHired; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Portland Public Schools seeks a dedicated Educational Technician III to support students in the Breathe Program at Longfellow Elementary. The Breathe Program is a district-wide behavioral and social-emotional program designed for students with significant behavioral needs and provides a self-contained, flexible learning environment to support IEP goals.

Under supervision of the Director of Specialized Programs and the school principal, the Ed Tech assists the Special Education Teacher by

Qualifications

• Approval as an Educational Technician III by the Maine Department of Education; alternative Maine conditional or professional teacher certification
• CPI training certification (or ability to be certified) preferred
• Preference for candidates with a degree including nine credit hours in education/behavior management or classroom strategies and at least one year of structured work experience

Responsibilities

• Manage behavior in alignment with IEPs and behavior plans, including crisis intervention

Skills

Behavior management

De-escalation techniques

Data tracking

Collaboration with teachers

Communication with families

Education

Maine Ed Tech III approval

CPI training preferred

Education degree with behavior focus preferred

Tools

Mainecare billing documentation

Job description

Job Description

TITLE: Special Education Ed Tech III, Breathe Program - Longfellow Elementary

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Portland Public Schools seeks a dedicated Educational Technician III to support students in the Breathe Program at Longfellow. The Breathe Program is a specialized, district-wide behavioral and social-emotional program designed for students with significant behavioral needs. It offers a self-contained, flexible learning environment with dedicated staff aimed at supporting students' Individual Education Plans (IEPs) while striving to increase access to general education settings over time.

With the supervision of the Director of Specialized Programs and school principal, the Ed Tech assists the Special Education Teacher by performing a variety of tasks that promote student learning, positive behavioral interventions and safety. Responsibilities involve managing students with behavioral disabilities in alignment with behavior plans and IEP's, supporting student engagement in academics individually and in small groups, supporting instructional goals, motivating learning, assisting with classroom management, data tracking, Mainecare billing documentation, and non-instructional duties such as supervising lunch, recess, and non-academic time.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Managing Behavior

• Aligns with students IEPs and behavior plans to support, de-escalate, manage the behavior of students, including crisis intervention
• Utilizes de-escalation techniques and therapeutic interventions in crisis intervention as appropriate
• Implements Positive Support Plans (PSPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs)
• Supervises students between classrooms, during lunch period and recess, as well as during to and from transportation as needed
• May support preparing materials or reorganizing of classroom as needed

Supporting Instruction

• Provides specially designed instruction (defined as instructional activities designed to address deficits related to a student's disability) to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Implements lesson plans and follows schedules created by the special education teacher or appropriate related service provider
• Continues planned instructional activities during teacher's temporary absence from the classroom

Collaboration and Data Support

• Meets with the Special Education team weekly regarding educational needs, accommodations, and modifications
• Tracks data as requested, providing information to assist the team in the evaluation of the learning process, behavior management programs, and individual student needs and progress

Other

• Maintains FERPA and respects the confidentiality of all student and staff information
• Maintains ethical behavior
• Performs other duties, as assigned
• Specific student care and activities may be delegated to the special education staff by the school registered nurse in accordance with Maine state nursing scope of practice law. Training, oversight and documentation will be provided by the school nurse.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to calculate accurately
• Ability to interact with staff, students, parents, and others in a professional manner

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Approval as an Educational Technician III by the Maine Department of Education; in the alternative, Maine conditional or professional teacher certification
• CPI training certification (or ability to be certified) preferred
• Preference will be given to candidates with a college degree that includes nine credit hours related to an education field such as behavior management or classroom strategies, and to candidates who have at least one year of experience working with students in structured situations

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State Educational Technician III (023) authorization (more info)
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
  • if you already have an active Ed Tech certification, you do not need a separate CHRC as this clearance is tied to your Ed Tech certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with implementing PSPs and safety plans
• Frequent bending, walking, running, and lifting of objects/equipment up to 35 pounds may be required

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Permanent
• Contract: Part of Ed Tech union (see 2024-2027 CBA here)
• Hourly wage: Based on experience, per Ed Tech CBA
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

About Longfellow

Located in Deering Center on Stevens Avenue, between Deering High School and Lincoln Middle School, Longfellow Elementary School is a PK-5 school serving approximately 250 students. We are committed to academic excellence, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, while fostering a strong sense of belonging for every member of our community. Our Longfellow community is supportive and collaborative, with a shared goal of ensuring that every student feels included, valued, and empowered with the tools and strategies they need to be successful.

We prioritize explicit, systematic literacy instruction and data-driven practices in grades K-2, and implement EL Education across K-5 alongside Illustrative Mathematics to promote inquiry, engagement, and deep understanding. Professional collaboration and coaching are central to our work. Each staff member participates in multiple teams, including administration, special education, multilingual/intervention/RTI, and instructional coaching, to support continuous growth and student success.

Our school is grounded in a strong commitment to equity and anti-racist practices. We center restorative approaches, honor multilingual learners as assets, and engage in ongoing reflection and dialogue around identity and bias. As part of Portland Public Schools, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for both students and staff, with meaningful opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, leadership, and belonging.

Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.