JOB TITLE: Special Education Teacher

DUTY DAYS: 187 Days

PAY GRADE: T07-T08

SALARY SCHEDULE: Click for Salary Schedule

Primary Purpose:

Provide instruction in accordance with the Individual Education Plan to students identified under IDEA. Participate in the Child Centered Process as a member of the Multidisciplinary Team. Participate in the ARD/IEP process as the representative or committee member from special education instruction.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree from accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements for subject and level assigned

Special Knowledge/Skills:  

• Understanding of disabilities and instructional requirements specific to various disabilities

• Understanding of medical conditions and safety precautions specific to the condition

• Ability to create a classroom environment that is attractive and conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students

• Ability to guide students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior that conform to district policy and that encourage self-discipline and safety

• Knowledge of the learning styles of students and teaching to all modalities

• Knowledge of evaluation procedures to determine students' academic and social growth with a fair and impartial attitude, and keep appropriate records and prepare progress reports

• Willingness to be available to students, parents and staff for education-related purposes outside the instructional day

• Understand and support administrative decisions, guidelines, and instructions and assist in formulating campus and district policies when requested

• Reasoning ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and TEA policies

• Ability to read, analyze, interpret instructional materials

• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program, ability to plan and implement lessons based on objectives, needs and abilities of students to whom assigned

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

• Skill in oral and written communication

• Organizational and time management skills to manage classroom behavior, routines, and procedures

• Ability to use technology such as computer, calculator, typewriter

  In some settings the teacher may be required to:

• Provide care of students with physical disabilities including feeding of specialized food or tube feeding, toiling, including diapering and catheterization, and specialized care needs such as suctioning and CPR

• Attend staff development designed for specific areas of instructional specialty

• This training may include but not be limited to: CPR, sign-language, catheterization, tube feeding, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Level System Training, In-Home and/or Parent Training, and Content Areas skills such as reading instruction

• Consult with related service and/or other support personnel such as Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Assistive Technology Teacher, Teacher of students with Visual or Auditory Impairments and incorporate activities as per the IEP into daily instruction. Lift or otherwise move students

• Physically restrain students using Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Techniques. Perform duties of in Home Trainer after school hours

• Position students using special equipment

• Ability to drive a motor vehicle helpful but not required

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

1. Plan and provide instruction to students identified as disabled under IDEA in accordance with the Individual Education Plan

2. Interface with other service providers such as Speech Language Pathologists, counselors, and occupational and physical therapist to coordinate educational efforts

3. Maintain accurate records and report data as requested including, but not limited to, assignment sheets, grade books, attendance records, report cards, and daily tracking charts

4. Attend Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee meetings and prepare draft copies of goals and objectives and Behavior Management plans for presentation during the meeting

5. Participate in the Child Centered Process as a member of the Multidisciplinary Team

6. Complete Individual Educational Plan Assessments as a part of the Child Centered Process

7. Evaluate student progress in accordance with guidelines established in the IEP

8. Monitor special education students' progress in general education settings

9. Maintain physical environment of the classroom for organizational and instructional purposes

10. Develop and implement Behavior Management Plans

11. Provide instructional and curricular modifications to meet academic, behavioral and physical needs of students with disabilities

12. Teach TEA/district/Campus approved curriculum in accordance with IEP

13. Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated. Plan and implement a program of study that meets the individual needs, (as outlined by the ARD Committee in the Individual Education Plan), interests, and abilities of the students using challenging and varied interactive strategies

14. Provide support to promote success for students assigned to and returning from alternative settings and include parents in planning

15. Steer the learning process toward the achievement of individual goals and establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, etc. and communicate these objectives to students

16. Maintain inventory of instructional aides, materials and textbooks in accordance with campus guidelines

17. Maintain inventory of instructional aides, materials and textbooks from SERS and return in good condition upon request

18. Initiate and encourage communication between the home and the school and interpret the school program and district policy to the community

19. Assist in establishing a budget and ordering supplies in accordance with campus/district policy

20. Assist in ordering supplies for SERS

21. Follow district guidelines in collecting/receiving/and depositing funds

22. Create a learner centered community by collaboratively identifying needs; plan and assess instruction using technology and other resources

23. Assume responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output of students and others under his/her supervision

24. Help students with personal as well as academic problems

25. Pursue personal and professional growth opportunities through staff development and/or institutions of higher learning and model professional standards and teaching excellence

26. Administer Alternative Assessments as specified in ARD/IEP Report

27. Interface with general education teachers to maintain student progress and knowledge of current curriculum

28. Perform other duties as assigned by the principal or Director of Special Education

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands:

Ability to communicate effectively (verbal); maintain emotional control under stress; interpret policy, procedures, and data; coordinate district functions

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Lifting and carrying more than 50 pounds. Moving and positioning students with severe physical disabilities. Sitting on floor to provide instruction and stimulation. Bending, climbing stairs, crouching, seeing, talking, reading, hearing, writing, and crawling. While performing the duties of job, the employee is constantly required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. Occasionally the employee must bend or twist at the neck more than the average person, push or lift more than 50 lb. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. Occasionally the employee will repeat the same hand, arm, or finger motion many times. Working in area with limited lighting/heat/air conditioning. The noise in the work environment is moderate to loud. The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. The employee must be able to meet multiple demands from several people. The employee is frequently required to interact with other staff members and the public. Working in a nontraditional educational environment including homes. Working in potentially unsafe areas of town. Working in homes which may be clean and well maintained or oppressively filthy and infested with insects and rodents. Potential exposure to second hand smoke, domestic violence and infectious diseases through insects and rodents.