LPMS-Special Education Math Teacher

Position:                     Special Education Teacher

Supervisor:                 Principal/Special Education Director

General Job Description:

1. Provide special education students with, learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.
2. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to match student ability levels.
3. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.
4. Develop goals and objectives for self, grade level/content group and student academic achievement.
5. Facilitate IEP meetings and ensure that IEPs are implemented as specified in the written document.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate with other classroom teachers, school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, speech/hearing specialists, and school social workers to provide an integrated plan for developing the capacities of their students.
2. Maintain current IEPs on students.
3. Monitor the implementation of the IEP in the general education setting as well as the special education setting.
4. Monitor student progress on IEP goals and keep written records of progress.
5. Maintain consistent and positive communications with parents and teachers.
6. Set learning goals for each student, assess their progress, and record their evaluations.
7. Update parents on the progress of their students and enlist parental support with behavior control and home activities designed to supplement their classroom lessons.
8. Supervise and train teaching assistants.  
9. Help plan for the transition of students in accordance with both federal and state laws.
10. Ensure that a transition plan is written and implemented to ensure students are either college or career ready after high school.
11. Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
12. Manage student behavior and administer discipline including intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
13. Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
14. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
15. Plan and assign the work of teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and oversee completion.
16. Maintains documentation to assure accountability.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievements through formal and informal testing.
2. Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
3. Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by campus principal.
4. Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
5. Possess efficient organizational skills.
6. Maintain professional written and oral communication skills.
7. Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students, staff, parents, and school matters.
8. Assure that goals and objectives in Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) are completed.
9. Good knowledge of current special education topics and methodologies.
10. Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
11. Keep informed of, and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.

Qualifications:

• Education/Certification:
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university
• Valid New Mexico teaching certificate(s) with required special education endorsements for assignments

Physical Requirements:

1. Maintain emotional control under stress.
2. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment.
3. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students.

Equipment/Material Handled:

The specific equipment and materials will vary according to the school and student to which assigned.

Work Environment:

Special Education is a service for students with IEPS. Their success is dependent upon close collaboration among education teachers, general education teachers, parents, educational assistants, related service providers, administrators, and other personnel.  The special education environment is highly collaborative and requires ongoing communication among all support personnel.

Terms of Employment:

• Contract Days
• Salary
• Benefits Available