Special Education Teacher (SY 26-27)

Primary Purpose

Provide special education students with appropriate educational activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Help students develop the skills necessary to be a productive member of society.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work in conjunction with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEPs through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Design, write and use instructional, therapeutic or skill development programs for assigned students and ensure written plans are available for review.
• Ensure comprehension of learning styles and student needs are met through creation and implementation of appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment.
• Collaborate with classroom teacher on student IEP to ensure all modifications are met and help special education students in regular class when appropriate.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on an ongoing basis.
• Design instructional activities by using data from students learning styles assessment.
• Ensure IEP guidelines are met when presenting subject matter.
• Use an assortment of media and techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Prepare classrooms to enhance learning and aid in the physical, social, and emotional development of the students.
• Control student behavior and implement discipline plan. This includes handling crisis and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Collaborate with the classroom teachers regarding student behavior management programs according to IEP.
• Collaborate with charter and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Ensure necessary and reasonable measures are taken to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Provide input on books, equipment, and material selection.
• Ensure good communication rapport with parents, students, principals, and teachers through conferences.
• Create and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Present information accurately through clear communication skills.
• Enrich job skills through professional development activities.
• Keep up to date and abide by federal, state and charter policies for special education teachers.
• Gather, manage, and file all reports, records and other documents required.
• Be active in faculty meetings and assist in staff committees as required.
• Maintain accurate Time & Effort records of program activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises and oversees Teacher's Aide. Fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Education Requirements: Bachelor's degree (B.A./ B.S.) from an accredited college or university required special education endorsements for assignments or be able to obtain such. Master's Degree is preferred but not required.
• Experience Requirements: Previous Teaching experience a plus
• Special Skills/Certifications: Must have valid Texas Teacher Certification required special education endorsements for assignments or be enrolled in an Uplift designated certification course.
• Required Skills/Abilities: Communication Skills, Bilingual Skills, Technology

Required Certification

As a condition of employment with Uplift Education, all instructional candidates who are not currently certified are required to apply and enroll in the Teach Us Certification Program (or an Uplift-approved alternative).

Safety Duties & Responsibilities

Every employee of the School has an obligation to know our safety rules and procedures; to teach what they know to others; to recognize unsafe actions and situations; to warn others of unsafe situations; to react to emergency situations and to report hazardous or unsafe practices to those in a position to correct them.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees must be able to maintain emotional control under stress. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours will be necessary.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level is low to high and may have frequent interruptions. There may be activity from other employees and students of a distracting nature.

Other Qualifications

Satisfactory criminal records check, pre-hire and annually thereafter, if applicable. Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization.