Mercer Int'l Middle - Special Education Teacher (Resource - Math & Study Skills) - 1.0 FTE

About the role

This position is assigned to the Resource service pathway. To learn more about our special education service pathways, please follow this link to the SPS Special Education Department website: SPS Special Education Department. A Special Education endorsement is required and a Math endorsement is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Fosters an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned special education students;
• Plans an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs;
• Prepares individual student lesson plans;
• Adapts and modifies programs and plans as necessary;
• Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the students and to the nature of the learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved;
• Attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for special education instruction;
• Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct;
• Provides guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct;
• Makes referrals for assistance where appropriate;
• Confers with students, parents or guardians, specialists and other staff: maintaining an open positive relationship as appropriate to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage student achievement;
• Establishes classroom goals and objectives appropriate to the special education student population and their individual education programs, following the rules and regulations governing special education, and in conformance with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines;
• Evaluates and records student progress;
• Prepares reports for parents or guardians;
• Directs the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel;
• Attends to or directs staff to attend to the physical, emotional, behavioral, medical, or hygienic needs of students as appropriate;
• Makes observations and notes regarding student behavior;
• Makes observations and notes regarding student progress;
• Attends or participates in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the District and/or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement;
• Serves on staff committees as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree;
• Academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population in an urban school system, and teaching reading and adapting instructional techniques and practices for special education students.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of: Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques; rules and procedures for student safety; rules and regulations governing special education.
• Skills in: Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications; effective communication with parents or guardians in a culturally, racially and economically diverse community; designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement; adapting curricula and programs to meet the intellectual, social, physical and emotional needs of a population of special education students.
• Ability to: Deal with students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population; adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment; provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software; direct assistants; in some positions, administer first aid and CPR; in some positions, use non-a mal or non-verbal means of communication such as sign language; in some positions, use non-visual instructional techniques such as Braille; in some positions, deal with specific physical or emotional disabilities and associated conditions, such as, severe behavior disorder; attend to various physical and hygienic needs; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, specialists, staff and administrators.