Special Education Autism Teacher

About the role

This position is responsible for providing direct and indirect services and instruction to students with disabilities by working in collaboration with the general education teacher and facilitating in the evaluation of the Individual Education Program (IEP) process.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Provide an atmosphere and environment conductive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of individuals to ensure success for every student.
• Provide an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities.
• Collect data on student performance in order to improve student outcomes and direct instruction.
• Develop, select, and modify instructional plans that meets the needs, interests, and abilities of individuals to ensure success for every student.
• Provide input, when necessary, to students IEPs including use of diagnostic programs (Ed Performance, Riverdeep, and Compass Learning).
• Aid in the screening and evaluation of students with learning disabilities on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of central office staff as required.
• Prepare for IEP/RTI team meetings and provide case management for assigned students with disabilities.
• Select and adapt materials to assist students with disabilities to access the general education curriculum.
• Serve as a member of the SST/IEP team as appropriate.
• Complete all required paperwork according to compliance and within the given timeframe.
• Meet required deadlines for annual reviews and eligibility redetermination.
• Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Assist students with other needs as appropriate such as toileting, feeding, positioning, lifting, dressing, and other self-help skill areas as needed.
• Provide health services necessary to enable students to benefit from educational services which may include intermittent catheterization, tracheotomy care, tube feeding, changing of dressings or colostomy collection bags, and any other service deemed appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Be available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and the community.
• Establish relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and the community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
• Aid in the planning and supervision of assignments for instructional assistants, teacher assistants, substitutes, and/or volunteers.
• Participate in department, school, district, and parent meetings.
• Participate in professional development activities designed to advance teacher knowledge in the areas of instruction, best practices, and differentiated instruction.
• Participate in extracurricular activities such as social activities, sporting activities, clubs, and student organizations as assigned.
• Provide feedback on paraprofessional’s job performance with department heads and/or administrators as required.
• Maintain fair and accurate grading policies and procedures, attendance, e-mail, and web pages as required through the technology system provided by the school district.
• Foster a school climate that supports both student and staff success and promotes respect and appreciation for all students, teachers, staff, and families.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in the area of special education or a related field required.

Certification or Licensure: Meets Georgia state certification requirements in the appropriate field of education.

Skills

• Knowledge of the instructional curriculum for the grade/content range of the position and special education programs.
• Knowledge of the Individualized Education Program (IEP), learning theory, differentiated instruction, data collection, research-based reading instruction, multicultural education, assessments, Individuals with Disabilities IDEIA Act (IDEA 2004), No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB 2001), and state and federal policies and procedures related to special education.
• Knowledge of learning theory, differentiated instruction, developmental reading, child development, behavior management, and assessment.
• Ability to work well with students with disabilities, teachers, and parents of students with disabilities.
• Ability to adapt instruction, programs, and materials.
• Ability to collect instructional data for the decision-making process.
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to model professional, moral, and ethical standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and various integrated applications.