Special Education Teacher

REETHS-PUFFER SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:              Special Education Teacher (Preference for endorsement for Cognitive Impairment)

REPORTS TO:        Principal

SUPERVISES:         Not applicable

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION:

The Special Education Teacher directs the learning process for special education students.  He/she provides direct instruction to students in specified content area, along with testing and evaluation to monitor progress.  Responsibilities also include activities associated with program design, implementation, and evaluation.  He/she must maintain a professional and friendly demeanor in working with children and staff.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

·         Bachelor degree from accredited college or university

·         Must be qualified and hold valid Michigan certification with appropriate endorsement(s)

QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Previous successful experience working with children at the appropriate grade level

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

·         Ability to demonstrate the:

-      strong desire and ability to build meaningful, caring relationships with students

-      skill and willingness to leverage the student support network to ensure that students’ social, emotional, nutritional and health needs are addressed

-      ability to collaboratively create and execute clear, logical instructional plans that produce strong results in student learning

-      commitment to coordinate instruction within and across grade levels

-      aptitude to discuss subject specific content instruction and the drive to try out new ideas to improve student learning

-      capacity to align curriculum, instruction and assessments while responding to the individual needs of students

-      competence to collect and analyze data to inform instructional decisions

-      ability and desire to design and utilize formative assessments to modify and adjust instruction on a daily basis

-      skill to implement a tiered system of instruction within the classroom to meet the needs of all students

-      ability to help create and thrive in a professional environment that is one of mutual respect, teamwork, and accountability

-      ability to seek out knowledgeable peers, coaches or administrators for instructional support in the never ending quest to deliver the vision of high quality subject-specific instruction in every class period every day

·         Prepare, adapt, and deliver instructional material

·         Manage special education student caseload

·         Complete IEP documentation

·         Coordinate with team members

·         Meet all compliance requirements as identified in IDEA

·         Develop suitable curricula and effective teaching methods based on assessment of students’ needs

·         Adapt different teaching methods and various instructional materials

·         Evaluate students’ academic and behavioral progress

·         Supervise eligible students in classrooms and school buildings

·         Create and maintain student records, and prepares reports relative to the work

·         Maintain order in a consistent, firm and friendly manner.  Apply school rules and procedures in disciplinary situations

·         Practice confidentiality and discretion on job related subjects and especially in regard to student records

·         In order to improve and maintain professional competence they participate in professional educational opportunities

·         Be regular in attendance

·         Other duties as assigned

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional light to moderate lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most work is done in a classroom environment.

EVALUATION:

The Special Education Teacher is evaluated by the principal.