Special Education Teacher, Secondary

Qualifications:

• Achieved, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree
• Hold a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsements in area(s) of teaching assignment(s)
• Successful teaching experience preferred; not required
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills with colleagues
• Willingness to learn, acquire, and apply new skills and knowledge
• Evidence of adaptability and problem-solving skills

Essential Functions and Duties:

Ability to Plan and Prepare Instructional Tasks 

• Utilize a variety of assessment tools
• Administer, record and track data of student assessment with the counselor and building administrator
• Maintain records of student progress, growth and development 
• Participate in child study meetings when necessary
• Regularly report student progress, concerns, changes to the building principal
• Maintain accurate attendance records as directed
• Plan instructional tasks that are meaningful and related to learning goals

Provide Instruction to Students

• Implement district curriculum
• Maintain a strong instructional focus utilizing the elements of effective instruction
• Communicate a high level of expectation to students
• Communicate clear learning goals to students

• Adapt instruction to meet the needs of all students 
• Interact positively with student groups
• Integrate thinking processes into real-life applications
• Address various learning styles
• Sequence content at an appropriate pace
• Use appropriate level questioning to promote understanding
• Relate lesson content to prior and future learning
• Require students to summarize information in written and/or verbal form
• Appropriately recognize and reinforce individual student effort
• Represent knowledge/information non-linguistically through a variety of methods
• Require students to analyze and apply knowledge
• Create meaningful cooperative classroom team building activities
• Display passion and optimism; inspire, respect, and express enthusiasm, enjoyment, and humor for teaching; expect students to enjoy learning

Provide Effective Classroom Environment

• Establish appropriate classroom rules and procedures that are clearly understood by all students
• Effectively and consistently enforce rules and follow procedures
• Redirect students naturally and immediately without disrupting others
• Be well-organized and have all materials, equipment, etc., ready for immediate use
• Carry out smooth and effective transitions from one activity to another
• Maximize time on purposeful instructional tasks
• Begin and end class periods with focus on learning
• Establish a positive learning environment
• Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrate presentation skills

Participate in Professional Growth Opportunities

• Participate in ongoing professional growth provided by the district
• Participate in school/professional and /or community organizations or events
• Seek professional development outside the organization for continued growth
• Maintain certification and endorsement renewals timely
• Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals
• Set and achieve challenging goals; try new things; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others
• Prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently; plan for additional resources; set goals and objectives; organize and schedule other people and their tasks; develop realistic action plans 
• Adapt to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support organizational goals and values; benefit the organization through outside activities

Demonstrate Professionalism

• Is consistently at work and on time; 
• Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; 
• Arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Treats people with respect; keep commitments; work with integrity; behave ethically; upholds organizational values
• Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions, with research/proof to back-up those decisions; includes appropriate people in decision making process; make timely decisions
• Approach others in a tactful manner; 
• React well under pressure; 
• Treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; 
• Accept responsibility for own actions; 
• Follow through on commitments
• Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspire and motivate others to perform well; effectively and positively influence actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, parents, and students
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences in accordance with district policies
• Use of electronic communication such as Twitter, Facebook, or other forms of social media will be conducted professionally and respectfully to self and others

1. Follow the district and building policies and procedures
2. Know and understand your contract
3. Support the district goals
4. Perform other duties as assigned by district or building administrators

Work Provisions

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.