Special Education Teacher Elementary School (Jamaica)

Mission Statement: The Growing Up Green Charter School (GUGCS) supports children to be conscious, contributing members of their community through a rigorous, anti-racist, anti-bias, curriculum and an engaging green culture. Graduates of GUGCS will be prepared to attend high-performing schools where their interdisciplinary academic foundation, knowledge of sustainability, and strong sense of self sets them apart as leaders and social justice advocates of the future.

 Responsibilities:

• Instructional Responsibilities:

  • Provide literacy and math small group instruction to students mandated for Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS), as well as intervention support for students "at risk" 

  • Push-in to general education classroom to support students

  • Utilize a variety of specialized curricula to develop a long-term individualized scope & sequence for small group instruction 

  • Assess student progress with a variety of methods in order to ensure progression towards individualized goals

  • Collaborate with classroom teachers and related service providers in order to align and differentiate instruction

  • Participate in weekly RTI meetings to develop strategies and interventions for struggling students

  • Support classroom teachers to implement intervention plans, as well as monitoring student progress

  • Prepare documentation of student's current academic performance in preparation for attendance at IEP meetings

  • Administer regular assessment of student IEP goals and complete IEP goal progress reports on a quarterly basis

  • Develop individualized SMART goals for student IEPs

  
  

  IEP Coordination

  • Collaborate with Director of Support Services to coordinate all mandated special education services in accordance with student IEPs

  • Collaborate with Director of Support Services to coordinate and facilitate IEP meetings, including informing teachers, providers, and families in a timely manner and compiling all necessary paperwork and data

  • Collaborate with the Director of Support Services with submitting initial referrals or re-evaluation requests to CSE and ensuring CSE compliance with the referral timeline

  • Communicate regularly with teachers and service providers to discuss recommendations for appropriate levels of services in advance of IEP meetings

  • Ensure modifications made to student IEP services are implemented in a timely manner

  • Ensure high quality, detailed, and accurate student IEPs and and SMART goals 

  • Gather related service progress reports and summarize progress with families when providers are unable to attend IEP meetings

  • Collaborate with Assessment Coordinators to ensure students receive mandated testing accommodations

  • Provide families with information and guidance regarding evaluation procedures, timeline, and due process rights

  • Create and maintain up-to-date classroom service schedules

  • Facilitate IEP team meetings to discuss students of concern and plan next steps to support their learning 

  
  

  Response to Intervention 

  • In collaboration with the Director of Support Services, oversee and manage the RtI process by developing, refining, and implementing protocols for SSC (Successful Students Committee)

  • Conduct baseline assessments and/or classroom observations for students referred to SSC

  • Maintain detailed records by keeping SSC tracker up to date and ensuring that student cases are regularly reviewed through follow up meetings 

  • Facilitate weekly SSC meetings to develop individualized intervention plans and student goals

  • Provide support and feedback for classroom teachers and/or intervention teachers implementing intervention plans

  • Ensure consistent data collection and progress monitoring within each tiered level of intervention support

   

  Instructional Coaching 

  • Facilitate staff training to ensure that all members understand the requirements and responsibilities relating to the education of students with disabilities

  • Meet with classroom teachers to review individual student IEPs and accommodations as needed

  • Facilitate weekly coaching meetings for Learning Specialists to support their specialized instructional practices

  • Provide coaching and support to ICT teachers in meeting the needs of their students with IEPs 

  • Participate in Support Services department meetings to share best practices

  • Assist with 1:1 paraprofessional orientation, training, and ongoing feedback 

  
  

  Other Responsibilities

  • Maintain internal database containing student IEP information, as well as an internal database of IEPs accessible to select staff members 

  • Support Director of Support Services to update student service information for per pupil invoicing 

  • Support Director of Support Services in finalizing budgetary projections 

  • Coordinate the distribution of IEP goal progress reports on a quarterly basis 

  • Maintain an active lending library of instructional resources, sensory tools, and professional development books for students, classroom teachers, and support services staff members 

  
  

  School-Wide Responsibilities:

  • Utilize the Responsive Classroom approach to discipline and community-building

  • Establish and maintain ongoing positive relationships and communication with families

  •  Actively participate in school community through weekly staff meetings, PD opportunities, staff committees, and school events

  • Work with instructional coach on improving teaching practices throughout the year

  • Respond productively to ongoing, year-round professional feedback

  •  Use weekly lesson plans to help drive instruction in a clear manner

  • Demonstrate commitment to working with diverse populations of families and students