TEACHER-SPECIAL EDUCATION LIFE SKILLS

About the Role

Provide students receiving special education services with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials according to ability levels. May work in self-contained, general education, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas teacher certificate in Special Education and content assigned

Responsibilities

• Understands and supports the mission, vision and values of Harmony Public Schools
• Models and instills a love of learning
• Teaches multiple academic subjects in a resource room setting and/or provides in-class support through inclusion
• Plans, prepares, and delivers lesson plans and instructional materials that maximize student engagement and learning
• Utilizes a variety of teaching practices and methodologies that reflect diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds to meet the individual needs of students
• Implements a clear and consistent behavior management system while developing students’ character and sense of community in the classroom
• Uses relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction
• Implements instructional programs adopted by Harmony for assigned students
• Collects data to determine student’s strengths and weaknesses
• Collects data to develop student’s standards-based IEPs
• Collects data to measure student’s progress on IEPs
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, and other relevant staff members in developing and implementing IEPs
• Modifies the curriculum utilized by HPS based on the individual needs of each student
• Assists general education teachers in implementing a modified curriculum
• Provides case management duties for assigned students
• Attends ARD meetings for assigned students
• Prepares ARD paperwork for assigned students
• Attends department, school, district, and parent meetings
• Participates in district and campus staff development and serves on staff committees
• Maintains a professional relationship with colleagues
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations
• Prepares required reports on students and activities
• Establishes and communicates clear objectives for all learning activities
• Assigns and grades classwork, homework, tests, and assignments
• Takes daily attendance
• Communicates necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and parents regarding student progress and student needs
• Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with students, parents, and community members
• Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect the students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

• Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• Knowledge of special education laws and regulations
• Ability to lead a team for developing effective teaching strategies for students with disabilities
• Ability to teach several lesson plans simultaneously
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internal and external to the district
• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Proficiency in using computer software, databases, spreadsheets, word processing, calculators, copy machines, and telephones
• Ability to analyze data

Work Environment

• Light Work: may require the occasional light lifting
• Nights and weekend activities will be occasionally required
• Position is in a classroom setting with intermittent speaking, standing, walking, and writing
• Moderate travel is required