Middle School Special Education Teacher

Under the supervision of the Principal and the Campus Director of Special Education, the Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives; follows mandated due process procedures; and functions as IEP manager to assigned students.

Background

Two Rivers Public Charter School serves a diverse group of learners across three locations in Wards 5 and 6. Staff at Two Rivers create an exciting educational environment in which students and staff become a community of learners on a journey of discovery. Two Rivers uses the EL Education model, which emphasizes interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. The school focuses on the whole child, recognizing the importance of character education and social-emotional needs of children while helping them achieve academic excellence.

The Two Rivers staff shares a strong belief that all children can learn and be high achievers. The curriculum at Two Rivers is rigorous, standards-based, and provides opportunities for students to excel in all areas. An integrated arts program and a content-based Spanish program augment the school’s demanding academic program. These elements come together through learning expeditions that allow students to incorporate and apply their classroom learning through real-world experiences. The mission of Two Rivers is to nurture a diverse group of students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community, and become responsible and compassionate members of society.

Responsibilities

Planning, Instruction, and Assessment

• Provide research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP
• Develop differentiated lesson plans based on the student’s IEP goals and use instructional tools to meet the needs of students
• Collaborate with general education teachers and other service providers to ensure the academic and social growth of students
• Assess student progress and determine the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques
• Employ various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals
• Guide students to achieve high academic expectations
• Establish an effective and efficient classroom culture
• Track data of student progress to determine growth and mastery of goals
• Complete required assessments, perform observations, collect data, and complete the necessary paperwork to support students in the special education eligibility process
• Document student data and progress through OSSE’s special education data system (formerly known as SEDS)
• Apply research-based strategies to meet the needs of students
• Implement the principles and components of Expeditionary Learning. Teachers are expected to commit to learning and implementing this model
• Work with your teaching team to plan and implement learning expeditions ensuring that content, fieldwork and projects are accessible to all students
• Develop and revise clear criteria and standards for quality work and regularly examine student work to ensure that it meets increasingly higher standards of quality
• Work with your teaching team to plan exhibitions of student work at least two times per year and provide necessary accommodations to give students the opportunity to successfully share their learning with an audience of parents, caregivers, other students, and community members

Delivery of Services

• Develop annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include but not limited to: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, accommodations and modifications, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals
• Coordinate the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP
• Conduct special education evaluations and reevaluations
• Comply with all state and federal rules and regulations and state reporting requirements
• Work with the Campus Director of Special Education to ensure that identified students receive necessary accommodations and modifications in the classroom and for standardized assessments and other school administered assessments
• Complete duties as Case manager, including but not limited to manage IEP paperwork, communication with parents, co-facilitate IEP meetings, and collaboration with the Director of Special Education to ensure all services are provided

Communication

• Capability to nurture students and work collaboratively with families
• Ensure your teaching team is knowledgeable about the needs of students. Develop and disseminate “IEPs at a glance” to teaching teams, by the end of October.
• Schedule team meetings and work cooperatively with colleagues in developing instructional goals and strategies
• Attend and participate in Collaborative Planning Time meetings
• Serve as the primary contact for families on your caseload
• Collaborate and consult with general education teachers and service providers regarding the needs of students
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom accommodations, adaptations, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans, and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Professional Development

• Participate in weekly Professional Development Time (currently scheduled for Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00 p.m) and contribute to sessions by sharing ideas and student work, offering feedback, and facilitating some sessions or discussions.
• Participate in peer observation using protocols established and agreed upon by staff.
• Participate in a Summer Professional Development Institute. The Institute will be two weeks in August before students return.
• Seek additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and school-wide professional development goals.

Family Communication and Involvement

• Meet with parents as requested to share information about student progress.
• Contact parents/guardians immediately when concerns arise about student performance or work completion.
• Involve parent/family volunteers in the classroom in ways that meet the needs of the class and utilize the strengths, talents, and interests of volunteers.
• Keep parents/guardians informed about classroom activities and units of study through ongoing communication and regular updates.
• Support parents/guardians in understanding the instructional approach at Two Rivers through regular communication.
• Assist with planning and facilitating at least one family event per year.

Other Professional Responsibilities

• Be on time for classes, duties, planning sessions, team meetings, and professional development activities.
• Attend and participate in school events.
• Check voicemail and email daily and respond promptly to requests from parents, administrators, and colleagues.
• Assist with the monitoring of arrival, dismissal, and recess/lunch according to an agreed-upon schedule.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Master’s degree in Special Education
• Bachelor’s degree and two years of satisfactory lead teacher experience including supporting students with IEPs or in an inclusion setting
• Bachelor’s degree and two years of satisfactory special education teacher experience
• Bachelor’s degree and active OSSE certification or active certification from another state
• Bachelor’s degree and a passing score of 151 on the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications PRAXIS exam.

All employees of the District of Columbia working in a school or child care center must be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a religious or medical exemption.

Two Rivers is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.