Special Education Teacher

Position Title: Special Education Teacher                                 

Reports to: Principal

Department: Special Services

Position Category: 10 month contract, exempt, full-time

Position Summary: The Special Education Teacher Lead provides physical and instructional support to students with disabilities. S/he implements classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, instructional programs, and additional duties focused on student success. The Special Education Teacher Lead works under general supervision of the Principal and immediate direction of the Special Education Coordinator.

Essential Job Function:

• Serve as case manager and be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of student IEPs; complete and maintain all assigned students’ records (i.e. IEP, ESYP, documentation, progress report, behavior plan, etc.)
• Actively participates in the RtI process and assists with making recommendations, planning, and implementation of RtI Tiers as needed
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, emotional, and communicative needs
• Provide necessary information to the classroom teacher prior to the child entering the general education classroom regarding the student’s disability, medical concerns, and/or equipment operation (ways to meet unique needs)
• Maintain collaborative relationship and goodwill with general educators; and with general education teacher, develop and supervise plans for paraprofessional duties
• Maintain a neat, orderly classroom; inventory, care for, and maintain educational materials equipment
• Provide orientation for, develop schedules, and supervise plans for aides
• Assist students with physical needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning, feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
• Manage behavior of students, including intervention during crisis situations and protecting students during disruptive or dangerous student behavior; maintain emotional control in stressful situations
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, emotional, and communicative needs
• Work with students individually or in small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises; may team teach lessons, either small group or whole class; teach resource classes if needed
• Supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus/van for fieldtrips, and recess duty
• Collaborate with general education teacher in adapting the curriculum, providing appropriate modifications, ensuring the implementation of modifications, and assessing overall progress of the child
• Confer with parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, testing specialists, social workers, and other professionals as needed to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students' social, educational, and physical development and to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems
• Adhere to inclusive special education program requirements
• Teach personal development skills such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence
• Attend and participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned; and, serve on committees as required

Essential Job Requirements:

• Education – Bachelor’s degree in education or a degree that allows for teacher certification; Special Education certification required; Master’s degree preferred
• Experience – Five years minimum teaching experience (three of those years in Special Education)
• Must have or be willing to receive training in CPI, Autism, and Behavior Intervention

Physical Requirements – ability to carry up to 25 lbs. and lift up to 50 lbs.; valid driver license