Teacher Special Education, Secondary SY 24-25

Plans, develops, implements, and monitors individualized education programs, provides appropriate specialized educational instruction and works closely with general educators to ensure continuity of services for meeting the specific needs of students with disabilities. Manages student behavior, assesses and evaluates student achievement, and modifies instructional activities as required.

Essential Functions

• Assesses student abilities as related to desired educational goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Plans and implements appropriate instructional/learning strategies and activities, including determination of appropriate kind and level or materials. Utilizes a variety of instructional materials and available multimedia and computer technology to enhance learning.
• Develops, adapts, modifies, and individualizes educational materials, resources, techniques, methods, and strategies to meet the needs of students within the City Schools curriculum framework.
• Assumes direct responsibility for the development of appropriate behavior of students within the school setting by establishing and maintaining effective discipline and management procedures.
• Manages the behavior of learners in instructional settings to ensure environment is conducive to the learning process and assists and participates in management of student behavior in other parts of the school, center, school grounds, or work site.
• Coordinates instructional activities and collaborates with others professional staff, both school and non-school-based, as required to maximize learning opportunities.
• Requests assistance of and works with resource personnel, as needed.
• Works in a self-contained, team, departmental, itinerant capacity, or at field work site as assigned.
• Participates in in-service and staff development activities and staff meetings as required or assigned.
• Continually assesses student achievement and maintains appropriate assessment and evaluation documentation for institutional and individual reporting purposes.
• Ensures continuous communication with parents, both written and oral, to keep them informed of a student(s) progress.
• Continually communicates with students on instructional expectations and keeps them informed of their progress in meeting those expectations.
• Manages allotted learning time to maximize student achievement.
• Assigns work to and oversees paraprofessionals, parents, and student volunteers as required.
• Ensures classroom and/or instructional environment is attractive, healthful, safe, and conducive to learning and that materials are in good condition and accessible to students.
• Serves at two or more schools on a regular basis if itinerant.
• Makes off school site visits to monitor students or confers with employers or site instructors as required.
• Supports or participates in school-wide student activities and social events and approved fundraising activities.
• Monitors student behavior in non-instructional areas as assigned or required and intervenes to control and modify disruptive behavior, reporting to administrator as appropriate.
• Collaborates with other professionals (guidance counselors, librarians, etc.) to carry out school wide instructional or related activities.
• May sponsor or coordinate extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
• Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and non-discrimination policies; follows federal laws, state laws, school board policies and the professional standards

Desired Qualifications

Bachelors degree in special education or eligible for a conditional certification in special education (major in any field and no previous conditional certificate held)

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Valid standard professional teaching certificate in special education appropriate for grade level to be taught

Knowledge of federal laws protecting the educational services for students with disabilities

Knowledge of content, curriculum, methods, materials, and equipment of instructional specialty to which assigned

Knowledge of school's program of studies related to assignments and mission, goals, and organization is preferred

Skill in oral and written communications

Excellent human relations skills

Ability to select instructional planning, management, and evaluation procedures that relate to student needs and the demands of the instructional environment

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional programs

Ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents