Teacher - Special Education (26-27)

Reports to: Building Principal and Special Education Director. Department: Special Education. FLSA Status: Exempt.

Position Overview

Responsible for planning instruction and/or adaptation of the educational program to enable students with special educational services to benefit from educational experiences.

Employment Terms

184 contract days. Salary dependent on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field
• Valid Missouri certificate in Special Education/Cross-Categorical
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Skills

• Human relations, leadership, and conflict management
• Knowledge of the special education process and teaching techniques that meet the diverse needs of students
• Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
• Formative assessments, cooperative learning techniques, and data analysis

Responsibilities

• Participates in the IEP process by attending IEP meetings, collaborating with IEP team members, preparing IEP paperwork, and delivering instruction to enable students to make IEP goal progress
• Designs a classroom schedule to meet individual student needs within the overall school master schedule
• Meets with and instructs assigned students in the designated locations and times
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the ability, maturity, and interests of the students
• Plans curriculum, lessons, special education programs, and teaching methods based on the individual needs of students
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques, technology, and instructional media consistent with the needs and capabilities of students
• Assists in transitioning children into the appropriate school setting
• Monitors evaluation and timelines to ensure appropriate placement and programming
• Monitors student progress in and outside of the special education room
• Maintains confidentiality and non-judgmental views of children and families served
• Diagnoses the instructional needs of students on a regular basis, seeking assistance from district specialists as required
• Takes all necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Knowledgeable of District-approved de-escalation, restraint, and seclusion procedures
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative procedures
• Communicates with parents regarding evaluation, programming, placement, services, and rights of students with disabilities
• Functions as a team member of the school staff and communicates effectively with all members, including school, family, physicians, and other agencies
• Attends meetings at the grade, department, school, and district levels, along with related professional development opportunities
• Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and maintains order in a fair and just manner
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for educational assistants
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Building Principal, Director of Special Services, or Superintendent

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a climate-controlled building and in inclement weather
• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for long periods of time
• Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed matter, with or without vision aids, and to distinguish colors
• Sufficient hearing to understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone
• Manual dexterity to operate a telephone and enter data into a computer using both hands
• Ability to communicate effectively with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and addressing groups
• Ability to exert up to 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• Ability to lift, bend, stoop, pull, grasp, and carry a variety of objects of different shapes and sizes