SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Description

Promotes and nurtures the education of students by working collaboratively with parents and fellow educators in planning and implementing an individualized instructional program for students with disabling conditions; assuring compliance with IDEA regulations and reports; using relevant data in monitoring, assisting with, and correcting, academic efforts; and providing a safe environment conducive to learning. 

Duties: 

• Works collaboratively with parents and fellow educators in nurturing the student to academic and behavioral excellence. 
• Develop IEP’s for students who qualify for SPED services and annually update them. 
• Design a program that meets the identified student needs as listed in IEP’s. 
• Consult with regular education teachers and other support personnel to ensure that the needs of the students with disabilities are being met in the inclusion classroom. 
• Coordinate required psychological services within the required deadlines. 
• Coordinate related services (speech, OT, etc.) as outlined in students’ IEP’s. 
• Schedule, attend and lead all IEP and SPED meetings. 
• Prepare required documents and notices for SPED meetings. 
• Continue professional growth through educational meetings, visiting related facilities, reading professional literature, and exchanging ideas among the teachers and staff. 
• Assist RTI staff in the pre-identification process. 
• Use appropriate formative assessment instruments pertinent to instructional areas to assess ongoing student progress and maintain required assessment documentation. 
• Maintain a positive environment conducive to effective learning. 
• Provide varied instructional techniques and technology through individual and/or group sessions designed to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of the students. 
• Assist in the selection of books, equipment and other materials for SPED students. 
• Effectively utilize interns and community partners to enhance instruction. 
• Coordinate with other support staff (Gifted, SEI, RtI, Tutors, and Mentors) to maximize student learning. 

Public Relations/Communication:

• Establish and maintaining cooperative relations with other employees. 
• Assist in providing information to community groups and parents concerning special education programs as requested. 
• Work to establish and maintain open lines of communication with students and their parents concerning the academic and behavioral progress of all assigned students. 

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Ensure that each student in the program has required evaluation records in his/her permanent SPED folder. 
• Maintain individual student special education files in compliance with federal and state regulations • Quarterly evaluate student progress on IEP goals and report to parents and teachers. 
• Assure that all students with disabling conditions receive the accommodations listed in IEP’s to successfully participate in classroom instruction and assessments. 
• Complete the Annual SPED Data Collection Report for students with disabilities. 
• Assist the Leadership Team in all activities that relate to SPED monitoring. 

Other Job-related Responsibilities:

• Complete all required surveys in a timely manner. 

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications:

Bachelor degree and certification in Special Education; Current Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

• Excellent experience in teaching and working with diverse students in the field of special education 
• Experience teaching struggling students of diversity 
• Working knowledge of Arizona state standards 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a high-stakes environment 
• Outstanding instructional skills, including the ability to motivate and challenge students and maintain an orderly classroom environment 
• Demonstrated expertise in special education processes and instruction 
• Strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement 
• Belief that all students should be held to high academic and content standards 
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members 
• Demonstrated professionalism, responsibility, and a strong work ethic 
• Positive attitude and a drive for personal excellence 
• Problem solving ability PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. In addition, some carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. 
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: requires sitting, walking, and standing.