Special Education Teacher

Characteristics

The Special Education Teacher provides research-based specialized instruction to address instructional goals and objectives contained within each student's IEP. They develop and implement Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans, coordinate the delivery of special education services, and employ various teaching techniques to enable students to meet IEP goals.

• Develops and implements Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans for students to include present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.
• Personalizes instruction as necessary to account for individual student differences.
• Collaborates with paraeducators as directed.
• Communicates with and maintains a positive relationship with students, staff, and parents.
• Manages student behavior in the classroom through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, development of Behavior Intervention Plans, and following appropriate Response Sequences for students.
• Participates in professional growth and other professional activities.
• Follows the policies and procedures of the school and the district.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior; provides accurate data and reports when needed; meets deadlines; maintains confidentiality; dresses appropriately and presents a good role model.

Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities Required

• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of special education law and regulations.
• Ability to use time effectively.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain a positive relationship with other staff by collaborating and working cooperatively with them (including supervisors).
• Knowledge of physiological, psychological, emotional, and educational behavioral development of children and/or adolescents.
• Ability to build and maintain positive and productive relationships with others, including students.
• Ability to lead meetings collaboratively.
• Ability to help groups achieve consensus.

Entry Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree; certification from Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board with the appropriate endorsement in special education.
• Work Experience: Experience as a secondary special education teacher is preferred.

Physical Abilities And Working Conditions

• Vision: (which may be corrected) to read small print; view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: (which may be corrected) to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone.
• Upper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at the wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower the head.
• Strength: to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent basis.
• Environmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors and outdoors.
• Mental Requirements: read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile, and coordinate information and records.
• Additional Work Conditions and Physical Abilities: May require travel to multiple sites.