Special Education Teacher

About the role

The special education teacher is a highly qualified educator responsible for individualized instruction of students with IEPs, conducting annual Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and managing a caseload of students. The role emphasizes collaboration with parents, students, paraprofessionals, and regular education teachers to promote student achievement and collect data to measure growth. The special education teacher works directly in classrooms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with regular education teachers and paraprofessionals to monitor student progress.
• Coordinate services and resources with external educational agencies, including school districts and special education services, for students transitioning in and out of the facility.
• Collect data and appropriate work samples; regularly review and monitor student progress toward IEP goals.
• Conduct ongoing assessments to identify student strengths and areas needing additional support.
• Facilitate IEP meetings, ensuring involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including parents/guardians and external agencies.
• Complete quarterly progress reports for assigned caseload.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to students' IEPs, progress reports, and stakeholder communications.
• Instruct students individually, in small groups, or as a whole class, providing specially designed instruction and consistency in support.
• Apply diverse intervention strategies to support student learning.
• Stay updated on laws, regulations, and best practices in special education to ensure compliance and quality service delivery.
• Attend professional development, team, department, and other school meetings.
• Communicate effectively with parents/guardians regarding their child’s educational progress and IEP involvement.
• Serve as a Case Manager, ensuring all IEPs are compliant under the supervision of the Education Director.
• Collaborate with General Education teachers and Clinical and Group Living Departments to ensure IEP goals and objectives are met.
• Provide IEP goal and objective progress updates to parents, school districts, placement agencies, and therapists.

Core Competencies

• Completes work thoroughly, promptly, and efficiently, managing multiple tasks as necessary.
• Analyzes successes and shortcomings, then problem-solves with determination and creativity.
• Supports approved decisions and responsibly completes tasks with minimal supervision.
• Holds self, staff, and students accountable for fulfilling commitments and doing what is required.
• Makes well-informed, data-driven decisions, consulting with others when necessary to implement practical solutions.
• Communicates collaboratively, acknowledging verbal requests, phone, text, and email messages promptly.
• Reads and adheres to updated policies and procedures, reporting violations to a supervisor.
• Maintains confidentiality and models professionalism as a representative of LRA in all locations.
• Follows all safety regulations and suggests improvements when needed.
• Completes necessary documentation within specified timelines.
• Greets visitors, parents, and reviewers with respect and professionalism.
• Models ethical behavior when resolving misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts.
• Responds positively to supervisor requests to perform other duties.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required.
• A special education license for the state of Utah is required.
• An endorsement in English is preferred but not required.
• A minimum of 1 to 2 years of special education experience is preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents.
• Knowledge of human behavior, social interactions, and psychology is beneficial.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in telephone, computer, and face-to-face communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with staff and students.

Physical Demands

• Physically able to bend, stand, stoop, or sit for long periods of time.
• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Push/pull up to 100 lbs.
• Possible restraining of escalated clients.