Job Goal: To help students with disabilities learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able and responsible men and women by Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Supervision: Reports to the Building Principal and the Director of Pupil Services
Education, Work Experience, and Licensure:
Required: DESE License as a Special Education Teacher
MA DESE Certified Acceptable C.O.R.I. and fingerprint report as determined by the Superintendent
Preferred: Prior work experience as a Special Education Teacher. Dual Licensure. Competency in the use of current related educational technology.
Performance Responsibilities:
- Champion the district’s effort to effectively and successfully serve all students.
- Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students.
- Analyze data, share and use data to inform instruction to support student needs, interests, and the abilities of the students.
- Knowledge of a variety of academic strategies and differentiating instruction.
- Commitment to curriculum, instruction, and assessment with fidelity of implementation.
- Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of student
- Provides specialized instruction for students with disabilities consistent with state and federal regulations.
- Coordinates and supervises work experience and job-training programs involving students with special needs.
- Works cooperatively with classroom teachers, interpreting the abilities and disabilities of students to the entire staff and assisting the student with modification of regular class assignments.
- Strong behavioral management skills.
- Supporting social/emotional and behavioral skills development.
- Confers frequently with caregivers and professional staff members regarding the educational, social, and personal problems of such students.
- Assists other professional staff members in resolving the unique psychological or disciplinary problems of each student.
- Assists in screening, evaluating, and recommending placements of students in the school’s Special Education programs.
- Counsels individuals and groups of students with educational, occupational, and personal problems.
- Assists students in making realistic assessments of their abilities and in establishing educational and occupational goals in keeping with these abilities.
- Provides motivation to all students.
- Oversees tutors and paraprofessionals as designated by the Principal or the Superintendent.
- Completes and maintains records and documentation pertinent to the Special Education program as required by state and federal special education regulations.
- Participates in transition planning and preparation for adult life experiences.
- Takes responsibility for professional growth and development.
- As part of the pre-referral process, provides specialized instruction to general education students.
- Adapts curriculum and teaching strategies and methods as appropriate to meet the individual social, emotional, and intellectual needs of assigned students in special and general education settings.
- Conducts educational evaluations and writes comprehensive reports on referred students.
- Interprets educational test results and makes recommendations on how best to meet the educational needs of a student to school personnel, other concerned professionals, parents, and, as appropriate, the students.
- Participates in case conferences, special education team meetings, and faculty meetings on a before or after school basis when assigned.
- Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment.
- Selects and requests books and instructional aides appropriate to the ability, interest, and maturity level of students; maintains required inventory records.
- Identifies student needs and works with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
- Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical capacity of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
- Communicates with parents and school personnel on student progress.
- Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports, updated IEP goals and objectives.
- Engages in ongoing curriculum development activities as part of the district’s goal of maintaining a contemporary instructional program.
- Develops lesson plans based on the state standards and the appropriate instruction methodology.
- Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Participates on faculty committees as assigned.
- Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the school and/or through self-selected professional growth activities.
- Compiles case history data on students for whom additional family history, health history, early developmental history, and environmental history are deemed appropriate per state regulations.
- Complies with a district, state, and federal policies and regulations, which includes meeting deadlines for written documents.
- Evaluates students’ academic and social progress, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports.
- Administers or monitors group tests.
- Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, school policy, and administrative procedures.
- Acts as a Mandated Reporter (Chapter 119, Section 51A).
- Complies with the Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Policy.
- Any other duties as may be assigned by the Superintendent.