Special Education Teacher, The Gengras Center School

Discipline Based Goals

• Demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:

• Various disabilities and the impact of disabilities on classroom performance.
• Implementation of strategies to facilitate student learning and behavior management.
• Appropriate use of formal and informal assessment strategies and instruments; legal provisions, regulations and guidelines regarding student assessment.
• Individualized Education Plans.
• Planning and Placement Team process.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Data collection and interpretation to program effectively for students.
• Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Demonstrate understanding of state curriculum standards.
• How students learn to read and respond to text; understanding of reading and writing as interactive process.
• How students learn mathematical concepts, procedures and tasks.
• Occupational/life skills curriculum and relevance to independent living and employment.
• Plan and implement instructional strategies and activities that reflect knowledge of students’ intellectual, physical, and social/emotional development.
• Create, select and adapt a variety of instructional activities, utilizing adaptive equipment, technology, and other resources to support student learning.
• Create a classroom environment that encourages positive behaviors.
• Coordinate with Gengras transdisciplinary team to facilitate integration of functional/academic skills throughout the curriculum.
• Collaborate and help facilitate development of community-wide special projects, and activities that enhance learning.
• Communicate effectively with students, staff, families, community members, administration, and sending district personnel.
• Provide Director/Associate/ Assistant Directors with lesson plans, quarterly goals, and progress updates during scheduled times as well as upon request.

Program Organization/Management

• Establish and maintain policies and procedures for program operation.
• Assist in the identification and implementation of program goals and objectives.
• Coordinate the planning and design of Special Education program including classroom instruction utilizing quarterly instructional goals and daily lesson plans.
• Provide instruction of students in Special Education program that promotes skill acquisition based on IEP goals/objectives and fosters independence.
• Design and facilitate meaningful integration activities for students with non-disabled peers.
• Assess performance of individual students and maintain data about student progress.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Participate weekly in unit transdisciplinary child study meetings with the goal of providing a comprehensive instruction program to the students.
• Assume the responsibilities of state-wide testing examiner as assigned by state-wide testing supervisor in conjunction with Assistant Director(s)/Director.
• Provide for effective utilization of staff.

Foundational Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how students learn and develop and how they differ in their approach to learning.
• Design and deliver instruction and vary instructional methods based on learner needs.
• Plan relevant instruction that promotes learning, gives the subject meaning and fosters independence.
• Create instructional opportunities that support students’ academic, social, and personal development.
• Assess student learning, collect and analyze data, and modify instruction as appropriate, to meet IEP goals and objectives.
• Establish and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and create a positive learning environment that shows a commitment to students and their success.
• Share responsibility for student achievement and well-being.
• Engage in self-evaluation of the effect of choices and actions on students and the school community.
• Practice professional conduct in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers (Section 10-145d-400a of the Connecticut Certification Regulations).

• Other Responsibilities

• Perform other duties assigned by the Director or Assistant Directors or indicated within the Center’s program developmental plan.
• Continue to grow professionally by attending pertinent in-service and professional development workshops. Meet the standards as detailed in the CCT Rubric for Effective Teaching 2017 and participate in CSDE Teacher Evaluation System.

Education & Experience

• Certified in Special Education; Master’s Degree in Special Education preferred.
• At least 2 years experience working with special needs students.
• Knowledge and experience in Special Education instruction.
• Knowledge of teaching skills and competencies.
• Proficient in reading, writing and mathematics.

Other Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph.
• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, as noted below, with or without reasonable accommodation.