Adapted Special Education Teacher

Summary

The special education teacher provides direct instruction and support to students with disabilities under the direction of the school principal, special education director, and supervisors. They serve as the lead facilitator in the development of Individual Education Programs (IEP) and all documentation required in its implementation. They also communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and the community.

Performance Responsibilities

• (*) Prepares for IEP/RTI team meetings and provides case management for assigned students with disabilities.
• Serves as a member of the SST/IEP team as appropriate.
• (*) Interprets both formal and informal classroom based assessments for students in order to make instructional decisions.
• Collections data on student performance in order to improve student outcomes and direct instruction.
• (*) Administers and interprets formal assessments as appropriate and maintains student portfolios with current educational data.
• Selects and adapts materials to assist students with disabilities to access the general education curriculum.
• (*) Participates in professional development activities designed to advance teacher knowledge in the areas of instruction, best practices, and differentiated instruction.
• Changes in educational policy and other information as may be necessary to improve classroom instruction and programming for students with disabilities.
• (*) Supervises and plans for the continuing professional development of paraprofessionals assigned to the classroom.
• Provides an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities.
• Affords assistance, when necessary, to students with learning disabilities on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of central office staff as required.
• Assists in the review of students with learning disabilities on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of central office staff as required.
• Takes all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, RCSS policy and administrative regulation.
• (*) Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community that reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for (Instructional assistants, paraprofessionals) and volunteers.
• May evaluate paraprofessional’s job performance with department heads and/or administrators.
• Appraises his/her own effectiveness and demonstrates successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Participates in school management and shares responsibility for the total school program.
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.
• Mets required deadlines for annual reviews and eligibility redetermination.
• (*) Assists students with other needs as appropriate; such as toileting, feeding and etc.
• Provides health services necessary to enable students to benefit from educational services.
• The health services include intermittent catheterization, tracheotomy care, tube feeding, changing of dressings or colostomy collection bags and any other service deemed appropriate.
• Completes all required paperwork according to compliance and within the given timeframe.
• Maintains fair and accurate grading policies and procedures, attendance, email and web pages as required through the technology system provided by the RCSS.
• (*) The employee shall carry out such other and further duties, whether specifically listed above or not, as are assigned or required by such employee’s supervisor, other appropriate school personnel, law, board policy, administrative regulation, department handbook, and/or as are reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of the school system and its mission.

Educational Requirements

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in special education and/or pursuing special education certification in a content area is desirable.
• Possess knowledge of learning theory, differentiated instruction, developmental reading, child development, behavior management, and assessment.
• Must be knowledgeable in methods of teaching elementary reading and math if seeking an elementary position.
• Student teaching in the specific area of exceptionality or two years teaching experience in the specific area of exceptionality(learning disabilities, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional disabilities) preferable at level appropriate to assignment (elementary or secondary).