Special Education Teacher

About the role

The Special Education Teacher plans and provides educational instruction to young children with disabilities in a pre-school classroom. They create and maintain a structured and effective program and safe environment that provides for the individual development needs of the children. The Special Education teacher works collaboratively with all members of the classroom, therapists, and psychologists.

Responsibilities

• Imparts agency philosophy of Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential to children, families, program staff and community resources.
• Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy and FERPA regulations.
• Administers standardized assessment tools to obtain data necessary for the development of the identified special needs students Individual Education Program (IEP) following all NYS learning standards set forth for the Preschool student.
• Develops Individual Education Program (IEP) goals for each child identified during annual review time. Documents progress through quarterly goal updates and amends goals as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge of technology and literacy devices which enhance the instructional opportunities for individual children.
• Organizes a structured instructional program providing for the individual developmental needs of special needs children in collaboration with Teachers Assistant or classroom aides and other support personnel.
• Maintains all required paperwork, including daily/monthly attendance records.
• Adapts and modifies the early childhood curriculum/lesson plans to meet the needs of the children with special needs.
• Demonstrates the ability to incorporate individual student, family, socioeconomic backgrounds to enhance learning and communication.
• Participates in all parent-teacher conferences for special needs children.
• Attends all staff and discipline meetings.
• Completes annual performance appraisals for teacher aides, teaching assistants, paraprofessionals and 1:1 aides with input from the Early Childhood Education Teacher and other relevant staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Education with NYS Certification for Students with Disabilities (Birth Grade 2).
• Experience with young children with developmental delays.
• Knowledge of child development, developmental disabilities and student learning.
• Knowledge of content and instructional planning and implementation.
• Proficient computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to modify classroom activities to accommodate the individual needs of the children.
• Demonstrated commitment to performing job duties and tasks at a high level of performance.
• Competency Requirements: Strong Leadership Skills, Effective Communication Skills, Effective Classroom Management Skills, Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment, Ability to facilitate group meetings, Ability to set priorities and adapt to change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education with NYS Certification for Students with Disabilities (Birth Grade 2).
• Experience with young children with developmental delays.

Skills

• Knowledge of child development, developmental disabilities and student learning.
• Knowledge of content and instructional planning and implementation.
• Proficient computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to modify classroom activities to accommodate the individual needs of the children.

Benefits

• Paid school breaks.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Paid personal leave.
• Paid sick leave.
• Matching 403b.
• Health, dental, vision insurance.

Pay

$50,000 - $65,000 per year

Schedule

Full Time/School Year (37.5 hours per week) - Monday through Friday during program hours. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Includes 6-week Summer program. School Year position follows the school calendar with vacations coinciding with school breaks.