Position Summary

A Physical Education and Heath teacher at Linwood School provides physical education and health instruction and support to students on the autism spectrum in a nurturing and caring environment.  A Physical Education and Health teacher at Linwood School has the unique skill set to be able to adapt the general education curriculum to meet the unique needs of students with autism and associating disabilities. Physical education and health lessons need to be tailored to meet their interests and abilities. Physical activities need to be modified to meet the gross motor needs and sensory needs of the students in each class.

The physical education teacher is a member of the IEP team and serve as a resource to the IEP team and to parents. The PE teacher must collaborate with multi-disciplinary professionals to adhere to best practices and demonstrate the ability to utilize its methods.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains a classroom environment that is conducive to learning opportunities, including a schedule and materials that match MSDE guidelines and curriculum components as outlined.
• Provides classroom instruction, differentiating to meet the needs of the students in the class.
• Adapts the general education curriculum to meet the unique needs of students with autism and associating disabilities.
• Develops suitable curricula and effective teaching methods based on assessment of students' needs.
• Conducts informal assessments through classroom instruction to assess student learning outcomes
• Adapts activities to accommodate sensory sensitivities (i.e. noise, lighting)
• Implements behavior plans with fidelity and manages student behavior to enable students to access instruction.
• Collaborates and consults with professional staff in order to develop and implement each child's individualized educational program.
• Ensures collaboration with classroom staff, IEP team members, supervisors, and outside providers as applicable to provide the best learning outcomes for students.
• Actively participates in classroom and school based meetings and professional developments.  
• Manages and supports classroom staff, including instructional assistants, teacher assistants, and other school providers to be effective team members within the class environment.
• Evaluates students' academic and behavioral progress and participates in review and revision of IEP, as appropriate.
• Provides direct instructional supervision to the aides assigned to their classroom during P.E. and health instruction
• Adheres to Linwood School policies and procedures
• May perform other duties as assigned.
   

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Hold a valid Maryland teaching license in Physical Education and Health.
• At least two years’ experience in special education is preferred
• Linwood provides CPR training. The employee must achieve and maintain certification.
• Linwood provides Professional Crisis Training (PCM) The employee must achieve and maintain certification at the Basic Practitioner level (or higher).

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate with and provide direct assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities who are having behavioral challenges ‘
• Must possess strong problem solving skills and be detail oriented.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills to effectively interact with all levels of management.
• Demonstrates a skill set that includes the ability to interface in a professional manner with Linwood staff, parents, school system personnel and other professionals.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, various forms of technology, or controls. 
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, run, or crawl. 
• Must be able to work under regular, moderate levels of stress.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 10 lbs. regularly and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

The current comprehensive company benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental coverage
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability
• 401K Retirement plan with company contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Annual Leave
• Paid Sick and Safe Leave
• Three Personal Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership, if desired

Eligibility to participate in Linwood’s Health, Vision, and Dental benefits program begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Per company policy, some other company-sponsored benefits may have various eligibility dates.

The company benefits offering and employee contributions are determined annually and are subject to change.

Salary : $64,000 - $100,000