Special Education Teacher (STARS)

Reports To: School Principal

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid CT State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement for Special Education
• Master's Degree Preferred
• Successful experience as a classroom teacher preferred

General Description: Creates and delivers engaging and rigorous lessons to diverse groups of students at all levels. Promotes enthusiasm for learning. Adheres to district curriculum, state and national standards. Collects and reports detailed student data and performance. Maintains classroom order. The Special Education STARS program is for elementary students with challenging behaviors and social emotional needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides a safe, positive learning environment for students
• Communicates with any and all staff who work with students
• Communicates with parents as per school guidelines on a regular basis
• Identifies and provides long term and short term objectives for the academic, physical, social and emotional needs of children in planning their educational needs
• Effectively meets the objectives of the Norwich Board of Education Curriculum, District Strategic Plan, and School Improvement Plan
• Prepares well-planned lessons consistent with goals and objectives of school and district Adapts and revises lesson plans to meet specific student needs, complies with relevant information supports for each student.
• Effectively delivers lessons in a comprehensive way
• Manages the diverse ability levels of all students and assists students with extra help and seeks out those who need it
• Maintains order and discipline among students while promoting safety and compliance with school rules and guidelines in a positive and responsive manner
• Keeps current and relevant in curriculum, assessment, and teaching and learning.
• Selects and employs a variety of teaching techniques in presenting materials to students, providing individualized instruction to each student by promoting interactive learning
• Demonstrates a high degree of academic competence in certification area
• Maintains a growth mindset toward student learning, teaching practice, and personal/collective professional development
• Demonstrates a high degree of self-efficacy, holds himself/herself accountable for learner outcomes
• Facilitates problem-solving, with a curious mind and critical thinking skills, showing a high degree of creative application in the implementation of data driven curriculum and practice
• Uses data and assessment information for diagnostic and modification purposes and to inform instruction
• Cooperates and maintains harmonious relationships with co-workers and administrators by sharing ideas and instructional methods
• Contributes to committees and faculty meetings
• Facilitates the development the self-worth and dignity of students
• Recognizes the relationship between social-emotional learning and academic performance
• Maintains accurate records and submits required reports within designated time limits
• Takes care of classroom materials, displays, and equipment
• Kind, patient, fair, and maintains self-control 
• Possesses working familiarity with technology, internet, email, and relative software.

Our diverse student population benefits from teachers who have a strong background in the differentiation of instructional practice resulting in high levels of achievement for all students. Our teachers are essential in creating a learning community that respects all students.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to effectively communicate with parents, co-workers and students
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique needs and characteristics of all students particularly those who are differently abled (i.e. Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impaired, Emotional Disability)
• Knowledge of principles of classroom and behavior management
• Knowledge of principles of child development stages and developmental delays
• Ability to exercise flexibility, common sense and good judgment
• Skill in following oral and written directions
• Ability to identify, prevent and deescalate negative behaviors
• Skill in assisting students in progressing on Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals
• Must be punctual and reliable

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching, some lifting, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment
• Occasional exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather

Terms of Employment:  Salary and work year to be determined by the contract between the Norwich Board of Education and the Norwich Teachers League.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of support services.

Created: 4/5/2024