At Salt Lake City School District educating children is our primary business. Salt Lake City School District proudly employs four of the past seven Utah Teachers of the Year and the 2021 Utah School Nurse of the Year, and many of our schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools. At Salt Lake City School District, our strength is in our diversity. Our 20,000 students include students from across the globe who speak over 80 different languages. Most of our students come to our District from historically underserved populations. We invite you to join our world-class learning organization as we prepare our students for life, learning and citizenship.

As a certified teacher, you will work with students in the Salt Lake City School District to personalize learning, strengthen critical thinking, and foster creativity. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues to ensure every student receives the necessary skills to prepare for life, learning, and citizenship beyond high school. Teachers generally work standard work hours that coincide with the school calendar, including breaks during holidays, school recesses, and weekends. 

SPED TEACHER

Contract: 185 Day Calendar (reflects full year)
FTE: 1.0
Start Date: November 2021
Priority Screen Date: End of day on November 7, 2021

This position is benefits eligible
Starting wage: Certified Schedule

SUMMARY: This position plans and provides instruction to students based on state, District, and school curricula and requirements and based on the students' social and other formative skills.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching In General

Demonstrates Effective Planning and Preparation

• Demonstrates knowledge of content pedagogy and knowledge of students and their developmental needs.
• Develops clear and relevant instructional goals based on important content area concepts and suitability for students.
• Uses a wide variety of resources appropriate for diverse learning styles.
• Designs coherent instruction for flexible groupings that includes, clear and focused lesson structure and appropriate timing according to student needs.
• Plans lessons with assessment in mind.

Establishes a Classroom Environment Conducive to Learning

• Creates a respectful classroom environment by establishing positive and respectful teacher-student interactions that are appropriate to developmental and cultural norms.
• Establishes a culture for learning by setting an expectation for learning and achievement, conveying the importance of the content, and displaying knowledge of students' skills.
• Manages classroom procedures and protocols, including those regarding instructional groups, transitions, handling materials and supplies, and performing non-instructional duties.
• Manages student behavior by establishing clear expectations, monitoring and dealing with students throughout class time, and following through appropriately to correct misbehavior while respecting student dignity.
• Organizes classroom space for safety and for effective learning. 

Provides Effective Instruction

• Communicates clearly and accurately, using appropriate vocabulary for age and interests.
• Uses questioning and discussion techniques effectively to engage students.
• Engages students in learning through use of content activities and assignments, student groupings, a wide variety of instructional materials, and the structure and pacing of the lessons.
• Provides specific and timely feedback to students.
• Is flexible and responsive to student learning by adjusting lessons, responding to student questions and interests, and persisting in providing a variety of approaches when students have difficulties.

Demonstrates professional responsibility

• Reflects on own teaching by assessing a lesson's effectiveness and drawing on a repertoire of alternative approaches.
• Maintains accurate records of students' completion of assignments, student progress, and other non-instructional records.
• Communicates to engage families in the instructional program by providing information about the instructional programs and individual student progress.
• Contributes to the school and the District by establishing and maintaining professional relationships with colleagues and participating in District and school projects/extracurricular activities.
• Grows and develops professionally by seeking out opportunities for professional development and by participating in professional service activities.
• Shows professionalism by seeking out resources to proactively serve students, advocating for students, and actively participates in team or departmental decision making.
• Maintain regular and predicable attendance.
• Programs for and instructs students with disabilities, such as learning disabilities, behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, orthopedic impairments, traumatic brain injury, visual and hearing impairments, other health impairments, and autism.
• Monitors and reports progress om IEP goals
• Maintains special education files, student funding reports and other paperwork as required by District, State and Federal requirements.
• Manages student behaviors in special education classroom. Follows all FBA/BIP plans for behavior with fidelity and follows recommendations of the district mental health provider.
• Participates in individual education plan (IEP) meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, and other meetings as needed.
• Works effectively with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, district psychologists, and community agencies to develop, maintain, and evaluate student performance and IEP goals.
• Effectively manages crisis intervention for students during episodes of extreme behavior such as elopement, physical aggression, destruction of property, etc.
• Conferences with educational staff, parents, students, and outside agencies. Serves as a consultant to the general education staff, administrators, and parents.
• Works closely with the bus driver and assistant for students riding the bus; communicates student information, if applicable, according to District procedures.
• Trains and over sees paraprofessionals assigned to the classroom.

Additional:

• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential:

• Has valid State of Utah Special Education Teacher License and Mild/Moderate endorsement for subject(s) taught; or is participating in the alternate pathway to professional educator licensure (APPEL) for special education through USBE and has obtained an associate educator license. 
• Has ESL endorsement or will attain one within 3 years of initial employment with the District.
• Has the ability to operate standard office and classroom equipment, including computer, printer, smartboard, copier, phone, and fax.
• Communication, Oral: Expresses self clearly and effectively when talking with individuals and groups.
• Comprehension, Oral: Listens to and understands information and ideas presented.
• Communication, Written: Expresses ideas clearly in writing.
• Comprehension, Written: Reads and understands information and ideas presented in writing.
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides numbers quickly and correctly.
• Multi-Tasks: Is able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously using appropriate priorities for completing the tasks.
• Planning: Establishes courses of action for self or for students. Allocates resources effectively. Uses time efficiently. Is well-organized.
• Interpersonal Skills: Maintains effective relationships with others. 
• Attendance: Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined in the employer's sole discretion.
• Interpersonal Skills: Maintains effective relationships with others.
• Student Development: Uses available training and development resources to improve students' skills and abilities. Helps students achieve skills, knowledge and abilities required for advancement to next grade level or for graduation.
• Classroom Management Skills: Establishes techniques to effectively monitor and supervise student work and student learning.
• Communicates with students in a multi-media environment.
• Has the ability to move around a classroom to assist students.
• Performs essential duties and responsibilities efficiently, accurately and safely, with or without reasonable accommodation, and without posing a threat of harm to self or others.

Added Essential Qualifications for Content Area Mild/Moderate:

• Understands and applies legal concepts in Special Education timely and adequately.
• Understands and implements District adopted Special Education techniques, instruments, processes, and procedures timely and adequately.

Preferred:

• Is bilingual: Is able to speak, read, and write Spanish or other language representative of student population fluently.