Education: Special Education

Position Definition:  The Special Education Teacher is responsible for planning and preparation, classroom environment, and implementation of instruction in the Special Education classroom.
 
Relationship:  The Special Education Teacher shall be directly responsible to the Supervisor of Special Programs and Services assigned to his/her program.
 
Skills/Knowledge:  

• Demonstrates a proficient understanding and utilization of Microsoft Office Suite and other software packages for use in the Special Program and Services Department. 
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated by patience, understanding, and congeniality.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates organizational skills and time management skills, providing for productivity, accuracy, and attention to detail in the carrying out of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to implement and comply with PA Individual Education Program process.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize assigned tasks.
• Completes tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and maintain departmental deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to make professional decisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Demonstrates the ability to lead and mentor all staff working with special needs students.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide training on the equipment/materials, as needed, to the student/staff involved.
• Demonstrates accurate knowledge of state standards, as it relates to special needs students.
• Demonstrates a philosophy of lifelong learning.
• Proficient in the use of technology to communicate with students, parents, staff, administrators, and community members.
• Possesses the skills to provide the highest level of customer service, with patience and knowledge of the department’s services.
• Ability to attend work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities.

Physical:

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate (vision, hearing, and speech) to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities. 
• Ability to independently ambulate in and around work areas.
• Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support.
• Ability to exhibit appropriate manual dexterity to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol which requires:
  • a normal degree of flexibility;
  • the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes;
  • the ability to kneel on one and two knees and then stand up;
  • the ability to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side;
  • the ability to grasp firmly and raise hands above the head;
  • the ability to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills

 Authority: The Special Education Teacher will have the authority to perform all functions listed below in accordance with established policies and procedures.
 
Functions/Duties/Responsibilities:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function/duty/responsibility at acceptable standards. In accordance with both state and/or federal law, reasonable accommodations will be considered upon employee request.
 
 

Qualifications:
Education/Experience:  

• PDE certification in Special Education.

Essential:

• Provides an appropriate Individualized Educational Program for each student, including the development and implementation of an IEP that demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy, students, and resources.
• Selects instructional outcomes and designs coherent instruction for high level learning.
• Plans and incorporates related services into instructional programs.
• Designs and conducts ongoing formative and summative assessment to monitor student progress and guide instruction.
• Plans for the use of technology and other supplemental and supportive materials and resources appropriately in daily lessons.
• Knowledge of the content and pedagogy is extensive, showing evidence of a continuing search for improved practice.
• Outcomes reflect high level learning relating to curriculum frameworks and standards, are adapted, where necessary, to the needs of individual students, and permit viable methods of assessment.
• Creates an environment of respect and rapport and establishes a culture for learning, where learning is valued by all.
• Sets high expectations for learning for all students.
• Manages effective classroom procedures and routines to ensure minimal loss of instructional time.
• Organizes physical space to ensure the classroom is safe and students have equal access to learning activities.
• Demonstrates skills of effectively managing student behavior that are preventative and respectful to individual students.
• Coordinates the daily work of and solicits input from paraprofessional staff to ensure consistency within the classroom environment.
• Provides instruction via clear and accurate oral and written communication.
• Provides clear, accurate, and scaffolded explanation of the purpose and content of a lesson that connects with students’ knowledge and experiences.
• Provides timely, quality feedback to students during instructional time.
• Engages students in learning while making lesson adjustments as necessary.
• Integrates related services into the instructional program.
• Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness to students’ interests and needs in planning and implementing instruction.
• Uses effective questioning and discussion techniques to promote thinking and understanding by students in their learning and to assess student knowledge.
• Incorporates technology and other resources into daily lessons to engage students in learning.
• Maintains student records, including all required paperwork and IEP’s, adhering to required timelines.
• Maintains accurate records, including data and progress monitoring to design future instruction.
• Communicates regularly with families about the instructional program and student progress and attempts to engage families in the instructional program.
• Works collaboratively with other CLIU #21 and district general education staff and students to integrate students into building level activities and classes.
• Participates in district and CLIU #21 activities.
• Maintains positive relationships with staff, students, and families by demonstrating mutual respect and cooperation.
• Seeks out and participates actively in professional development activities that contribute to the profession for growth.
• Seeks feedback on practice from supervisor and colleagues.
• Reflects on lesson effectiveness, the extent to which it meets instructional outcomes, and adjusts lessons accordingly.
• Demonstrates professionalism by holding high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality and taking a leadership role with colleagues.
• Complies fully with all federal, state, CLIU #21, and school district policies, procedures, and regulations.

 Secondary:

• This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.