Department: School of Education
Reports to: Dean in the School of Education
Status: Ongoing
Start date: Each semester
Background
The Division of Special Education at Fresno Pacific University offers preliminary education specialist credentials in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, and Early Childhood Special Education. The division also offers the Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization and Master’s degree in Special Education. The program completers and graduates are well prepared and highly desired in the educational community in California’s Central Valley and beyond.
Role
Mentors must have extensive, articulable experience in a range of classrooms and demonstrate a willingness to serve in a variety of educational settings as a mentor. Mentors must have demonstrated success serving in a special education setting which matches the credential held. Must be able to provide quantifiable and insightful feedback to candidates in a timely manner to support the candidate’s development as a teacher. Must be able to exhibit sensitivity to a wide variety of teaching experiences.
Candidates range from seasoned teachers who are supplementing general education credentials to beginning teachers who have not maintained a classroom of their own for a year.
- Demonstrates ethical standards, teaching and evidence-based educational practices in relation to theories, research and regulations
- Understands and accepts differences in culture, cultural heritage, ethnicity, language, age, religion, social economic status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation and abilities and disabilities of individuals served
- Are knowledgeable of and able to apply pedagogical theories, development of academic language and principles/practices for English language learners
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills needed to assess students from diverse backgrounds and varying language, communication and cognitive abilities
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills in both formal and informal assessments to evaluate students' needs and strengths
- Demonstrates knowledge of the purposes, goals and content of the adopted instructional program for the effective teaching and support of English learners
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of typical and atypical human development from the prenatal stage through adulthood, including knowledge of developmental stages and their implications for learning
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of atypical development associated with various disabilities and risk conditions, resilience and protective factors and their implications for learning
- Demonstrates knowledge and the ability to implement systems that assess, plan and provide academic and social skill instruction to support positive behavior in all students
- Demonstrates the ability to develop, implement, adapt, modify and evaluate a variety of pedagogical approaches to instruction, including instructional sequences, unit and lesson plans
- Demonstrates understanding and application of strategies and best practices to develop differentiated lessons and instructional sequences that are appropriate for individuals with diverse strengths and needs in a variety of educational environments
- Demonstrates the ability to co-teach, collaborate, consult and work in instructional teams to enhance curriculum and instruction of students with disabilities
- Demonstrates the knowledge of how decisions and common behaviors of children and adolescents can enhance or compromise their health and safety
- Demonstrates professionalism in attitude and behaviors
- Demonstrates effective coaching techniques
- Demonstrates the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and/or assistance
- Ability and desire to provide outstanding coaching
- Ability to work effectively under time constraints
- Must demonstrate an extremely high regard for confidential and sensitive information
Qualifications
Required
- California special education teaching credential
- Level II or Clear Education Specialist Credential from an accredited institution
- Earned Master’s or Doctorate degree in special education or closely-related field
- Commitment to the Christian faith and the university’s mission of Christ-centered teaching and learning and involvement in a local church
Experience
- Special education classroom: 0–22 years of age
- Special education program leadership
- Computer skills
- Expertise in working with mild/moderate, moderate/severe, adapted physical education, and/or early childhood special education
Preferred
- Ability to work with students, staff and faculty in a college environment
- Ability to teach and work with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds
- Familiarity with contemporary trends and policies in special education
- Reliable transportation
Compensation
Dependent upon qualifications and experience per the university's remuneration scale
Application
Send a letter of application, a completed faculty application form (with related documents), three letters of reference and transcripts or placement file to:
School of Education Dean's Office
1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
or email soe.applications@fresno.edu
University description
Fresno Pacific University is the only accredited Christian university founded in the Central Valley. FPU connects every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. FPU offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs that stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation to more than 3,500 traditional and adult students on the main campus in southeast Fresno and regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online. The university also reaches about 8,000 students through professional development studies. FPU has the highest four-year graduation rate of any Central Valley college or university, and is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with a Hispanic student population of 47 percent. FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and ranked in the top tier among western universities—master’s category by U.S. News & World Report. Both U.S. News and Washington Monthly include FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists, U.S. News places it at number 13 in its category for student social mobility and Money has ranked it at number 11 among 50 Best Colleges for Transfer Students. FPU is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, and all employees express a personal Christian commitment and support the Christian mission of the university. A description of the unique quality of FPU as an academic community can be found in the Fresno Pacific Idea here.
Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.