Position title:
Special Education Teacher
Reports to:
Director of Specialized Services
Employment category:
Full-time/10-Month/Salaried
POSITION SUMMARY
The Special Education Teacher is responsible for supporting the Special Education Department in maintaining a compliant and high-quality special education program. Regular and predictable attendance are essential functions of this position.
SCHEDULE: 7:15 AM to 3:00 PM
GRADES/SUBJECT AREAS: Grades 6-8; Push in and small group instruction
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities include:
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Ensuring that assigned students meet academic success in their classrooms as measured by achievement on IEP goals, student grades, and standardized tests
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Creating, reviewing, modifying, and revising student IEP’s
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Ensuring that assigned special education students are receiving all required special education services according to their IEP or 504 plans
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Setting up and attending student IEP meetings as required
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Maintaining special education student files to meet compliance requirements
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Meeting with general education teachers regarding implementation of accommodations in regular education courses, as needed
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Providing daily engaging instruction to assigned students in large group settings, small group settings, and one-on-one, using a multitude of instructional strategies
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Reviewing and analyzing student data on a daily basis to inform instruction and planning and implementing strategies to achieve targets related to student learning outcomes
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Taking responsibility for student progress, constantly working to respond to students’ learning needs
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Preparing and submitting lesson plans on a weekly basis
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Maintaining a positive and respectful culture in the classroom
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Communicating and upholding school rules, values and expectations in a clear and consistent manner, in and out of the classroom
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Communicating with parents and students and responding to issues on a regular basis via phone, e-mail, and in-person, as needed
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Grading assessments, recording grades, and providing progress report comments
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Working collaboratively with the principal and other teachers to develop and revise curriculum based on assessment data
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Attending professional development activities
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Attending or sponsoring at least two school events throughout the year in order to ensure adequate staff attendance at weekend and evening functions
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Ensuring regular and predictable attendance on a daily basis
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Other duties as assigned
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
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Current PA Special Education K-12 Certification
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Additional PA teaching certifications preferred
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Commitment to urban education and a belief that all students should be held to high academic standards
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Unwavering commitment to improving the knowledge, skills, and lives of students with disabilities
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Strong knowledge of special education law and compliance
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Highly skilled at differentiating instruction in order to meet the needs of special education students
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Ability to deliver engaging lessons
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Experience in using data to drive instruction and inform decision making
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Strong work ethic, positive attitude, teamwork and leadership skills
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High physical and emotional energy
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Strong technology skills
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Excellent time management and multi-tasking skills with the ability to “wear many hats”
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Excellent communication skills
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Commitment to diversity and inclusion
WORKING CONDITIONS
The working conditions of a Special Education Teacher include:
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Very high levels of social interaction, with daily and consistent work with children, parents, and other teachers.
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Communicating with people face-to-face on a daily basis, as well as communication through phone, e-mail, letters, and memos.
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Working very near others, within a few feet or less, which may result in exposure to diseases and infections, such as colds and influenza.
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Exposure to loud sounds and high noise levels on a regular basis.
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Responsibility for the health and safety of the children in their school.
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Being placed in conflict situations where parents and students might become angry or unpleasant.
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Working as part of a team of educators.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Special Education Teachers are regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.