Teacher - Special Education

Job Description

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Position & Pay Type: Teacher: Refer to Compensation Manual at our Career Website

Position Hours: Full-time; Monday Friday; 40 Hours per Week

Reports to: Campus Principal

Length of Term/Employment: 190 workdays / At-will

Position Mission: Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

Position Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Certification:

• Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements
• Bachelor's degree from accredited university.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Must possess knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area.
• Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation.
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction.

Experience:

• At least one year of student teaching or approved internship.

Job Duties:
Instructional Strategies:

• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
• Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
• Present subject matter according to guidelines established by IEP.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Plan and supervise assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).
• Use technology in teaching/learning process.

Student Growth and Development:

• Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
• Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by campus principal.
• Be a positive role model for students; support mission of school district.

Classroom Management and Organization:

• Create classroom environment conductive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Manage student behavior and administer discipline. This includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Assist in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.

Communication:

• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

Other:

• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
• Keep in informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise assigned teacher aide(s).

Charter & Community Responsibilities:

• Convey the charter's mission to the public and encourage support in accomplishing the mission.
• Illustrate understanding of Charter and community needs and begin activities to meet those needs.
• Demonstrate use of productive and efficient skills to raise community and parent involvement.
• Actively participate in student recruitment efforts.

Charter Atmosphere:

• Encourage a constructive, thoughtful climate for learning.
• Promote fairness of students and staff from all cultural backgrounds.
• Communicate with students and staff in an effective manner that promotes and sustains the Jubilee culture.

Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment.
• May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities.
• Control behavior through physical restraint.
• Assist non-ambulatory students.
• Exposed to biological hazards.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.