Job Title:  Teacher-Special Education

Department/Campus:  Special Education

Pay Grade:  Teacher/Professional

Primary Purpose:

Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.  Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels.  Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignments

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area
• Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Experience

At least one year of student teaching or approved internship

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required
• Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
• Present subject matter according to guidelines established by IEP.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Plan and supervise assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).
• Use technology in teaching/learning process.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
• Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by campus principal.
• Be a positive role model for students; support mission of school district.
• Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Manage student behavior and administer discipline. This includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
• Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Assist in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
• Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Dependable performance requires reliable and dependable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or other administrator that are consistent with the general requirements and qualifications for the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise assigned teacher aide(s).

Equipment used:

Personal or laptop computer, printer, copier, fax machine, shredder, calculator, telephone, electronic mobile devices, projector, video display monitor

Working Conditions

Physical Demands/Mental Demands/Environmental Factors:

The working conditions described 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 and expectations.

Regularly sit, talk or hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequent repetitive hand motions; prolonged use of computer; occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds; may be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist ambulatory students; move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment ; frequent, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. occasionally required to stand, walk reach with hands and arms; vision abilities include close vision; and color vision, regularly work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress; the noise level is usually moderate.  The employee may spend long hours in intense concentration which requires attention to detail.  There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.  The employee must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues.