Instructional Support Teacher, Special Needs Preschool/SNK

Summary

Assists school/cluster-based personnel in improving the quality of teaching and student learning for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities; Assumes responsibility for the knowledge and application of the appropriate curriculum and the instructional programs for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities in compliance with all State and Federal laws, State Department of Education, and Fulton County Board of Education policies, rules, and regulations, including the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).

Essential Duties

• Models and supports preschool and kindergarten special education instructional staff in organizing, identifying, and implementing curriculum including Georgia Prekindergarten Performance Standards (GPS) and the adapted curriculum
• Participates in professional learning activities and plans/delivers professional learning activities to staff, parents, and others to increase achievement for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Collaborates with parents and local school staff regarding instructional decision-making for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Affords assistance to school staff in organizing curriculum and utilizing effective teaching strategies for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Affords assistance to teachers in improving classroom management and climate through the implementation of effective instructional methods

Due Process

• Maintains communication with special education staff, local school personnel, and parents regarding the referral, evaluation, identification, and effective programming for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Consults with local instructional staff regarding Individual Education Program (IEP) development, extended school year, behavioral interventions for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Collaborates with appropriate school-based personnel to assure timely data input/submission for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities (eSchool Plus, Encore)
• Completes educational assessments for preschool and kindergarten students referred for testing/evaluation
• Maintains assessment timelines to ensure adherence to State regulations
• Assigns and/or conducts staffings to develop IEPs, as required within assigned school(s)/cluster
• Collaborates with appropriate school-based personnel to assure accurate FTE reporting for preschool and kindergarten students with disabilities
• Collaborates with Babies Can’t Wait and Georgia Pre-K Staff
• Attends District and Cluster IST meetings and shares information with appropriate local building personnel
• Contributes to, but does not bear final responsibility for annual evaluations of staff
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator

Required Education

Master’s Degree

Certification/Licensure

Must hold or be eligible to hold Georgia certification in one or more areas of Special Education

Experience Qualifications

Minimum of 3 years teaching experience or related educational experience providing services to students with disabilities required

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

- Ability to apply critical thinking skills in rendering solutions to various issues - Ability to plan and implement short and long-range goals and objectives - Ability to work with collaborative teams - Ability to use Microsoft Office and other system software programs - Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with students, parents, administrators and staff - Excellent organizational skills - Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing

Working Conditions

- Normal office environment - Requires travel to multiple schools within the District

Physical Demands

- Routine physical activity associated with normal office environment - Ability to lift and carry 30-50 pounds with assistance - Ability to push or pull a maximum of 50 pounds - Ability to restrain students with disabilities, if necessary, using proper restraint techniques