Teacher - Special Education

About the role

Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university and valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignments. Knowledge of different disabilities and the special needs associated with those, as well as knowledge of station teaching and other co-teach models. Minimum of one year student teaching or approved internship.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop the IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings and monitor the implementation and the effectiveness of the IEP.
• Create and implement an instructional and/or skill development program for assigned students to show growth in reading and thinking.
• Implement station teaching in partnership with general education staff to create differentiated learning experiences for special education students.
• Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Develop lesson plans and work cooperatively with classroom teachers to differentiate regular curricula.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Assist with coordinating, administering and documenting state assessments.
• Consult with district and outside resources regarding education, social-emotional, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Participate in the transition process in conjunction with the Campus Transition Coordinator.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills and stay abreast of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.

Skills

• Knowledge of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) development and implementation.
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction.
• Ability to use technology in teaching/learning process.
• Effective expressive and written communication skills.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students. Exposure to biological hazards.