Teacher of Students with Disabilities

ARCHBISHOP DAMIANO SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Teacher of the Handicapped/Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Grades 3-5/Multi-Age)

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

To: Assistant Principals/Executive Director

Summary of Position:

Archbishop Damiano School (ADS) is seeking a passionate and dedicated Special Education Teacher to join our instructional team. This teacher will work with students in grades 3–5 (or a multi-age classroom), providing individualized instruction that supports academic growth, functional skills, and social-emotional development.

Qualifications for the Position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• NJ DOE Teacher of the Handicapped (TOH), Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD), Preschool–Grade 3 (P–3) certification, or K–6 certification required.
• Prior experience working with preschool-aged children, preferably in a special education setting.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to collaborative teamwork and continuous learning.
• Successful completion of the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) Criminal History Background Check required.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities of the Position:

• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with NJDOE standards and each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners with multiple disabilities.
• Foster a safe, structured, and supportive classroom environment that promotes independence, engagement, and positive behavior.
• Collaborate effectively with paraprofessionals, related service providers, and administrators to ensure a coordinated approach to student learning.
• Communicate regularly with families to share progress, strategies, and support for student success.
• Maintain accurate records, complete IEP documentation, and participate in IEP meetings.
• Participate in professional development, school events, Back-to-School Night, and other school activities.
• Engage in ongoing professional growth and contribute to the broader school community.
• Understand atypical variations in motor and communication development of students with disabilities and implement modifications to support daily activities.
• Ensure daily functional positioning, movement, and oral motor skills using appropriate assistive equipment and technology.
• Use communication aids and develop strategies for integrating augmentative communication into classroom activities.
• Encourage expansion of students’ adaptive skills to enhance social competence and community acceptance.
• Stay current on medical information concerning the etiologies of disabilities and the relationship between medical issues and classroom activities.
• Develop professional competencies, enhance technical skills, and demonstrate commitment to achieving Professional Development Plan (PDP) goals.
• Respond appropriately to interruptions, emergencies, and safety or evacuation drills.
• Follow Archbishop Damiano School and departmental policies and procedures, including student behavior management, child abuse and neglect reporting, infection control, safety, emergency procedures, attendance, and professional conduct.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• 48-week contract, full-time position aligned with the ADS school calendar.
• Salary range: Annually, based on experience and level of education.
• Benefits begin after 60 days of employment.
• Single health coverage fully covered by the school.
• PTO/Sick time bank.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option.
• Professional development opportunities.

The demands described herein below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Proficiency Ratings Legend: O = Occasionally – May be called upon to perform from time-to-time.

R = Regularly – Commonly called upon to perform.

F = Frequently – Repeatedly called upon to perform; cannot perform job without this.

• Lifting unassisted: Up to 30 pounds, from the any level. (F)
• Lifting assisted: Up to 100 pounds or more, from the any level. (F)
• Standing/Walking: Remaining on one’s feet in an upright position or moving about a work area. (F)
• Sitting: Remaining in a normal, seated position. (O)
• Bending/Stooping: Continual, intermittent flexing of the spine; bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. (F)
• Crouching/Kneeling: Bending legs at knees; coming to rest on knee(s). (F)
• Crawling: Moving about on a surface on hands and knees (O)
• Pushing/Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from or toward the force. (F)
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. (F)
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs, and hands and arms. (F)
• Repetitive finger/hand movements: Usage or other special equipment operated. (F)
• Precise finger/hand movements: Seizing, grasping, turning, or otherwise performing precision work with hand or hands. (F)
• Close vision: Clear vision at 20 in. or less. (R)
• Distance vision: Clear vision at 20 feet or more. (R)
• Color vision: The ability to identify and distinguish colors. (R)
• Peripheral vision: To observe an area that can be seen up/down or to the left/right, while the eyes are fixed on a given point. (F)
• Depth perception: The ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. (F)
• Focus adjustment/ability: To adjust eyes to bring an object into sharp focus. (F)
• Distinguish foreground/background sounds. (F)
• Hear high/low frequencies. (F)
• Hear/process for conversational speech. (F)
• Effective articulation. (F)
• Voice projection. (F)
• Shift from technical to social language. (F)
• Read and write at a college level. (F)
• Taste: The ability to distinguish different flavors. (R)
• Smell: The ability to distinguish scents. (R)
• Touch: The ability to distinguish tactually. (R)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Archbishop Damiano School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.