Licensed: Special Education Teacher

JOB TITLE: Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: Alice Terry
WORK SCHEDULE: 187 days
WORK STATUS: Licensed, Exempt
REPORTS TO: School Principal

POSITION SUMMARY:
Special Education (SPED) Teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt to general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Licenses or Certifications

• Must hold a Current Colorado Professional Special Services License with appropriate endorsements
• Preferred First Aid/CPR/Universal Precautions certification
• Criminal Background check required for hire
• Prefer CPI trained

Education
Bachelor's degree.
Master's degree (preferred).

Experience

• Experience in the administration and interpretation of a variety of test instruments to evaluate academic skills and eligibility for special education.
• Experience using consultation techniques that allow for providing effective techniques that address problems in learning and behavior.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to speak both English and Spanish preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create a positive learning environment and effective management structures to purposefully promote and foster effective teaching, learning, and student achievement.
• Create an instructional learning environment that establishes routines and provides for student engagement through questioning, speculation, and originality.
• Collaborate with specialists and provide unique learning opportunities, such as inclusion and research-based effective practices for students with special needs.
• Promote a learning environment respecting the dignity of the child that students perceive as fair and consistent.
• Incorporate additional learning opportunities for advanced and non-proficient students.
• Ensure all classroom processes, procedures, and data collection are highly organized and effective with optimal use of instructional time.
• Motivate, engage, and empower learners to track and monitor their learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and executes individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing for direct instruction while maintaining a focus on District standards and benchmarks.
• Administers and interprets both formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
• Monitors, supervises, coordinates, and enforces the rules of conduct and behavior of assigned students; reinforces positive student behaviors in accordance with school and District policy.
• Prepares lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates to students clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
• Collaborate with educators from other grades or subject areas to establish links between disciplines and influence school-wide curriculum and teaching practice.
• Demonstrate mastery of content and can make the curriculum rigorous and relevant to all students.
• Deliver content that is relevant to students and applicable to the real world. Integrate and align Colorado Academic Standards, instructional objectives, instructional strategies, learning activities, materials, resources, and assessments, and differentiate lesson planning based on individual student needs.
• Use data management tools to analyze results and draw inferences from data to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform other reasonable duties as may be assigned by the building principal

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:
None

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Ability to be flexible and communicate effectively.
• Appreciation and acceptance of diversity.
• Maintains a positive attitude.
• Observes all district policies and procedures.
• Supports the Sheridan School District Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions required the following physical demands: some lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires sitting, walking, and standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

CLEARANCE:
Must clear online background check and FBI Fingerprint check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

SALARY:
Placement on Licensed Teacher salary schedule based upon previous teaching experience and highest degree and college credits earned after student teaching was completed. The current Board-approved Licensed Teacher Salary Schedule and Salary Placement Policy are available for review on our district website at www.ssd2.org.

The annual salary for this position will be determined by number of hours scheduled to work each day and number of days scheduled to work each year. The computed annual salary will be spread out in equal payments over 12 months. Sheridan School District employees are paid once a month on the 1st working day of the month that is not a weekend day or holiday.

BENEFITS:
Employees who are scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible to obtain district health benefits, which include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance and supplemental benefits. Positions that qualify for health benefits also qualify for leave, which could include vacation and daily leave to be determined by the position and number of days assigned. Sheridan School District No. 2 is a public employer and participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). All employees are required by statute to contribute 11% of their salary on a pre-tax basis to PERA. The District also contributes a 21.4% in addition to the employee contribution.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
All interested and qualified applicants must complete an online application at www.ssd2.org. Incomplete applications and resumes received in lieu of applications will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. This position will close once the vacancy has been filled.