Special Education Teacher Grades 6-8 Behavior Focused (Sign on Bonus $5,000)

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Principal, facilitate student success and growth in academic and interpersonal skills by implementing district approved curriculum, documenting student progress and outcomes, addressing specific educational needs of individual students and creating a flexible, safe and optimal learning environment. Provide feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations and goals.

Essential Functions

• Leads the development of Individual Educational Plans for students.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and district policy for the identification, progress-monitoring and IEP development and implementation.
• Affords students and teaching staff in implementing students' IEP's and behavior management plans.
• Collaborates with outside agencies, organizations and institutions.
• Coordinates with administrators and teaching staff to ascertain individual student's abilities and needs.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to make accommodations to instruction, curriculum and the learning environment to meet the learning needs of students.
• Schedules and provides feedback to paraeducators.
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective and timely communication with parents.
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe, engaging and conducive to individualized and small group instruction and student learning.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs; conducts individual and small group instruction as needed.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by actively taking part in professional learning communities and other opportunities.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by district procedures and laws.
• Selects and requisitions appropriate instructional materials and supplies and maintains inventory.
• Supervises students in activities that take place out of the classroom during the school day, including activities involving school transportation, lunch and recess.
• Administers standardized tests in accordance with district testing programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field applicable to special education teaching.
• Licence issued by Iowa BoEE for special education teaching.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy enabling differentiation.
• Knowledge of special education law, Department of Education requirements, and best practice.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Ability to use computer network system, technology devices, and software applications.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, coworkers and the greater community.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Travel Requirements

Trips to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical Requirements

• Amount of Time Physical Activity: Occasionally (1%-32%)
• Mobility: X
• Talk: X
• Hear: X
• Operate Computer: X
• Stationary Position: X
• Sitting: X
• Carrying (25 feet): X

Working Conditions

• Amount of Time Working Conditions: Occasionally (1%-32%)
• Indoors: X
• Weekends/Off Schedule: X

Additional Information

• Reliable work attendance is required.
• The District's Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-576-1161, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The Deputy Coordinator is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The District's Coordinator for Harassment Complaints and Allegations is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The District's Coordinator for Sex Discrimination and Harassment is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The Affirmative Action Compliance Coordinator is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-576-1161, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The school district will respond promptly to allegations of abuse of students by school district employees by timely reporting to all relevant agencies as required by law.
• The District's coordinator for abuse reporting is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The District's Officer for Harassment Complaints and Allegations is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The District's Coordinator for Sex Discrimination and Harassment is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The Deputy Coordinator is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
• The school district is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.