Special Education Teacher
General Purpose: The Special Education Teacher provides quality services to special education students grades kindergarten through twelfth through a commitment to team participation in planning and implementation of student programs (including special instruction), tutorial assistance, and consultation with general education staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Prepare student education plans in consultation with parents and IEP team members.
- Design instruction, both individual and small group, which parallels the general education curriculum.
- Act as coordinator of IEP implementation with general education staff.
- Monitor student progress, participate in review and revision of IEPs as appropriate.
- Assist other professional staff in diagnosis of learning disorders, development of planned remediation , and evaluation of student progress.
- Maintain appropriate student data and other records and submit reports as required.
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- Manage classroom organization.
- Perform annual case reviews for each student.
- Maintain communication with parents.
- Maintain communication with general education teachers.
- Make program recommendations based on individual student educational needs.
- Provide a classroom environment that enables students with disabilities to make educational progress:
- Work with students according to specific Individual Education Plan services.
- Provide one on one and group instruction to students in the special education resource setting and general education classroom.
- Provide clear and consistent behavior strategies to assist students with emotional disabilities reach their individual behavior goals.
- Provide instructional assistants with proper materials and resources needed to assist students in both the general and special education setting.
- Work in conjunction with building principals and deans to provide appropriate structure and consequences for students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior:
- Implement Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior plans for individual students.
- Participate in teacher training as required.
- Select appropriate texts, learning aids, materials, and supplies.
- Create and maintains student records, and prepares reports relative to the work.
- Perform related work as assigned.
- Maintain records and prepares reports and correspondence related to the work.
- Plan and participate in extra-curricular student and staff activities.
- Teach desirable study, work, and recreational habits .
- Develop suitable curricula and effective teaching methods based on assessment of students' needs.
- Prepare, adapt, and deliver instructional material.
- Teach classes at the preschool, primary, elementary or secondary level, in academic, elective or special subjects, within a specific area of special education.
- Develop educational plans for the individual student.
- Supervise students in classrooms, school buildings, and at social-curricular activities.
- Evaluate students' academic and behavioral progress.
- Positively represent the school and its mission to the students, parents, colleagues, and general public
- Work cooperatively with school staff and administration
Minimum Requirements:
- Ability to maintain discipline and to get along well and develop rapport with special- needs children.
- Ability to interpret the results of assessments and evaluations.
- Ability to prepare assessments to determine student achievement and growth.
- Ability to maintain favorable public relations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with others.
- Ability to maintain records, and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
- Ability to prepare lesson plans and organize a meaningful instructional program.
- Possess a Master's Degree from accredited college or university with an emphasis in the appropriate field.
- PRAXIS/PLACE
Desirable qualifications:
- Considerable knowledge of instructional methods applicable to the field of specialization.
- Considerable knowledge of subjects and activities required in the field of specialization.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of teaching.
- Ability to evaluate critically the educational achievements of students and to give assignments according
- to their interests and ability.
- Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends, and sources of information in the field of education.
- Considerable knowledge of the texts, materials, supplies and equipment necessary in carrying out
- educational or recreational programs.
- Possession of or ability to obtain current Colorado teaching license (or equivalent) with a special education endorsement in autism, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, learning disabilities, physical
- education for students with disabilities, physical or other health impairment, speech and language
- impairment, and/or visual impairment.