Special Educator - Therapeutic Academic Program (TAP)

JOB TITLE: Therapeutic Academic Program Special Education Teacher REPORTS TO: Building Administrator POSITION SUMMARY: The position of the Therapeutic Academic Program (TAP) Special Educator works to support our students who need SEL support beyond tier 2, to access the general education setting. The special educator plans and provides individualized and specialized instruction that is an appropriate and rigorous learning experience for students with SEL needs as outlined in an IEP or RTI plan, in the school setting. The Therapeutic Academic Program emphasizes collaboration with families, engaging students in their learning, and supporting colleagues with strategies that allow students to access their education successfully. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Adheres to the policies and related directives of the Portsmouth School Department 2. Promotes the attainment of the District’s Mission Vision, and Strategic Plan 3. Provides direct academic and social/emotional instruction 4. Coordinates paraprofessionals working with students throughout the school setting 5. Collaborates with general education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, direct providers, and other special educators 6. Designs and implements Individual Educational Programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities and completes IEP progress reporting in a timely fashion 7. Follows the student IEP and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, including the delivery of high-quality services, and the provision of accommodations/modifications for instruction and assessment 8. Develops/modifies social, emotional, academic curriculum, and behavioral programs for a wide variety of learning profiles 9. Supports the development of and implements Behavior Intervention Plans 10. Manages and de-escalates challenging behaviors 11. Collects data using progress monitoring tools and reports student progress to service providers and family 12. Provides inclusion support 13. Communicates effectively with parent/guardian to support a positive home-school relationship 14. Demonstrates the ability to work with students with autism, social/emotional diagnoses, and behavioral challenges 15. Implements a social-emotional curriculum 16. Performance of other job-related duties as assigned by the building Principal or Director of Student Services 17. Member of the building safety care team EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED: Must be currently certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as an Elementary Special Education Teacher in Grades K - 8; Safety Care Certified; Restorative Practices Training preferred In accordance with Rhode Island’s Right to Read Act, all educators must demonstrate awareness of and/or proficiency in the Science of Reading. All qualified candidates will have completed an approved Right to Read training program or possess current certification of proficiency or awareness (out-of-state teachers may be granted one year from their date of hire to complete the required training). Awareness Certification requries 10-hours of training, which can be completed online, and free-of-charge on BRIDGE-RI. For positions requiring Proficiency, more intensive coursework is required. Educators can achieve this by completing state-approved certificate/degree programs (e.g., reading specialist certification or a related Master's degree). Upon successful completion of approved proficiency training, educators can apply for a free Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement to add to their teaching certificate. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 1. Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone 2. Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand 3. Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper 4. Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and to observe students 5. Able to meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints 6. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, in both indoor and outdoor environments, and possible move and traverse in order to maintain a safe learning environment 7. Stamina to work irregular or extended hours to include a full day and then attending meetings or supervising evening events 8. Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations 9. Position self to be able to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally 10. Move and transport moderately heavy objects TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 181 day school year plus additional days per NEA Portsmouth contract. EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the RI Model for Educator Evaluation Support Professionals.