POSITION:Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
LOCATION:Pell Elementary
REPORTS TO:Principal and/or Director of Student Services
SCHOOL YEAR:2025/2026
JOB DESCRIPTION: To devise and implement programs for students who have identified disabilities which prevent them from learning through traditional methods.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
Must hold a valid RI Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education, grades PK-2.
Evidence of teaching strategies that will address the unique needs of identified Special Education students.
Ability to know and utilize technology in the teaching and learning process.
Demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities below as evidenced by course work, educational experience, teaching experience, and the interview process.
Bilingual Preferred
Successful completion of the Science of Reading Training
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Identifies specific learning problems, skill deficiencies, behavioral and/or social-emotional challenges of students and develops specific goals and objectives to address these needs.
Evaluates each student in order to identify the student's current level of functioning and develop goals and objectives, which address the academic, behavioral and social needs of the student.
Develops Individual Education Plans, progress reports, pre- and post-tests for year-end evaluation of student's academic and social progress and conducts functional behavioral assessments to develop standards-based individual education plans.
Makes available a wide range of teaching materials, equipment, reading materials at a variety of academic levels, instructional materials that include career exploration. Has a demonstrated ability to use technology in the teaching and learning process.
Identifies specific learning problems, skill deficiencies, or social adjustment difficulties of students and initiates remediation programs in these areas.
Prepares progress reports and year-end evaluations, administering pre-tests and post-tests as appropriate and necessary.
Knowledgeable of a variety of reading strategies to accommodate students with special needs in the area of reading.
Establishes and maintains standards of individual student behavior and implements positive behavioral supports.
Works as a team member of the special education department to help the students' progress satisfactorily academically and socially.
Collaborates with administrators, therapists, social workers, psychologists, teachers, families and other community agency personnel.
Participates in case conferences regarding students with behavioral challenges.
Performs data collection and record keeping functions pertinent to students at the elementary level.
Keeps abreast of federal and state regulations and new developments in the field of elementary special education by reading journals and publications, attending professional meetings, seminars and workshops.
Helps parents to understand the specific problems of educationally disabled students and the goals and operation of the program, apprising them of problems and progress.
Performs such other duties as assigned by the Principal, Director of Student Services or designee.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Ten-month position; appropriate salary/benefits in accordance with the Teachers’ Contract. Evaluation in accordance with the process as established by the Rhode Island Department of Education for certified educators.
Applicants are not to approach members of the Newport School Committee. Individual contact between applicants and School Committee members may constitute grounds for disqualifying an application.
Providing Students Opportunities and Access to the World Through Quality Education
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Newport School Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status.