Special Education Teacher

Job Title: Special Education Teacher

Department: Instruction

Reports to: Building Principal

Classification: Certified / Exempt

Summary

To create a flexible class environment favorable to learning and personal growth for students with a disability; to establish effective rapport with pupils; to motivate pupils to develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed for life, in accordance with each pupil's ability; to establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

1. Instructs a pupil in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
2. Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each pupil.
3. Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
4. Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
5. Evaluates pupils' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports.
6. Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to discuss pupil's progress and interpret the school program.
7. Creates an effective and organized environment that is conducive to learning, through print rich displays, bulletin boards, and interest centers.
8. Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities.
9. Selects and requisitions books and instructional aides; maintains required inventory records.
10. Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day.
11. Administers a group-standardized test in accordance with district testing program.
12. Participates in curriculum development programs as required.
13. Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of pupil activities.
14. Provide specially designed instruction, as needed according to each child's needs and as per each student's IEP.
15. Participates as a member of multidisciplinary teams, eligibility staffing teams, IEP teams, transition teams, and other teams as needed.
16. Maintains and submits all required records, forms, notices, etc. pertaining to caseload management in a timely, accurate manner, as required by the administration and/or DESE.
17. Other duties as may be assigned by the administrator.

Supervisory Duties

Supervises students at all times.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Certificates

Bachelors Degree and valid Missouri teaching certificate required; or such alternative to these qualifications that the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Skills and Abilities  

Language

Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, board policy, administrative procedures/forms, and government regulations and guidelines. Must be able to complete forms, write reports, and engage in written correspondence with parents. Must have the ability to write clearly and complete lesson plans.

Computation

The individual must have the ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning

Must have the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be able to apply knowledge of current educational theory and instructional techniques while presenting subject matter to students.

Technology

The individual must understand basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use. Will be using district software for recording grades and finding student information.

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 essential functions.

The individual who holds this position must have the ability to speak and hear in an environment where numerous conversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously; must be able to move around the classroom; must be able to read handwritten and printed materials.

Attendance

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential job function of this position.

Conditions and Environment

The work conditions and the environment described here are representative of those that an individual will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform tasks, such as loading and unloading buses.

Terms of Employment

183 Contract Days.  Salary and work year to be established by the Board.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board

Policy on Evaluation of Certified Staff.