Teacher - Special Education, Deaf Hard of Hearing

Job Description Code: 2H.015

Division/Department: Academics and Accountability

Pay Grade: Certified Salary Schedule

Pay Type: Salaried; Exempt

Retirement: TRS

Contract Work Year: 188 Days

Reports To: Director, Special Education Instructional Services

Evaluation Instrument: PEI

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A valid Georgia Educator Certificate in assigned teaching field as required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission; Special Education General or Adapted Curriculum P-12 Consultative and/or Physical and Health Disabilities P-12 field. 

GOAL

Provide instruction for eligible students with disabilities; encourage and assess student achievement and progress; and, manage the learning environment effectively. 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate an understanding of the curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge and the needs of students by providing relevant learning experiences.
• Collaborate with, and serve as a resource for, the general education teacher, designated paraprofessional(s) and other school and District personnel to provide special education services that maximize student achievement according to the guidelines of the program through established delivery models.
• Provide consultation related to best practices for educating students with physical and health disabilities.
• Assist students with overcoming barriers to accessing the curriculum and the environment due to their physical and health disabilities.
• Demonstrate techniques for physical management of students with physical and health disabilities to ensure participation in academic and social environments.
• Demonstrate appropriate body mechanics to ensure student and teacher safety in transferring, lifting, positioning and seating.
• Provide consultation related to secondary health care issues and medical conditions of students with physical and health disabilities and the resulting impact on student performance.
• Assist school administration in creation and implementation of student specific emergency, evacuation and healthcare plans as needed for students with physical and health disabilities.
• Exhibit best practices based on current research to facilitate students’ use of higher-level thinking skills in instruction.
• Plan, using State and local school district curricula and standards, effective strategies, resources and data to address the differentiated needs of all students.
• Analyze and use student learning data to inform planning.
• Develop and implement carefully designed data-driven strategies to ensure full implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for caseload students, including but not limited to, implementation of accommodations, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and other related services based on student need.
• Develop, monitor and review the Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan of each caseload student, annually or more often as needed.
• Promote student learning by using research-based instructional strategies relevant to the content area to engage students in active learning and to promote key skills.
• Use assistive and instructional technology and a variety of research-based instructional strategies and resources, as directed by IEP, to enhance student learning; and provide technical assistance as needed to other professionals serving the student and/or family.
• Challenges and supports each student’s learning by providing appropriate content and developing skills which address individual learning differences.
• Use a variety of diagnostic, formative and summative assessment strategies and instruments that are valid and appropriate for the content and student population to inform instructional modifications for each student.
• Systematically gather, analyze and use relevant data to measure student progress; to inform instructional content and delivery methods; and to provide timely and constructive feedback to both students and parents/guardians.
• Provide a well-managed, safe, supportive and orderly environment that is conducive to learning; encourages respect for all; and promotes an understanding of students’ diversity.
• Follow established expectations for classroom rules, routines and procedures and enforce them consistently and appropriately; utilize positive behavior techniques to maintain appropriate student behavior.
• Implement appropriate school safety measures and crisis emergency plans to create and sustain a secure and healthy learning environment consistent with District rules, policies and procedures.
• Create a student-centered, academic environment in which teaching and learning occur at high levels and students are self-directed learners.
• Exhibit a commitment to professional ethics and the school’s mission; participate in professional growth opportunities and contribute to the profession.
• Compile, maintain and submit all required reports accurately and in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT NOTES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Job descriptions are designed and intended only to summarize the essential duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements for the purpose of clarifying the general nature and scope of a position’s role as part of the overall organization. Job descriptions do not list all tasks an employee might be expected to perform, and they do not limit the right of the employer/supervisor to assign additional tasks or otherwise to modify duties to be performed – even if seemingly unrelated to the basic job. Every employee has a duty to perform all assigned tasks. (An employee who is assigned a duty or task believed to be unlawful should report the assignment to the Chief Human Resources Officer.) It should also be noted the order of duties/ responsibilities as listed in the job description is not designed or intended to rank the duties in any order of importance relative to each other. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In filling a vacant position, preferred or required credentials regarding education, training, experience, and other bona fide occupational qualifications may be established. The credentials shown in this job description may be interpreted only as the minimum criteria existing at the time the description was developed. Other bona fide occupational qualifications and criteria may be utilized as needed in the selection process. 

Fringe Benefits

FICA is paid by the employee and matched by the School District. Temporary workers do not qualify for employee benefits.

Adopted: April 2000

Revised: March 2005, July 2008, April 2011, July 2013, February 2017, July 2019, July 2024, July 2025