Job Details

Job Title: Special Education Teacher - Interrelated Secondary Middle School

Position Function: This position plans, leads, facilitates and provides instruction for maximum student learning in the Interrelated Classroom providing appropriate curriculum to identified special education students. Meets established outcomes based on student's individual education plan (IEP) and capacity to master learning objectives. Provides activities designed to create interest and enthusiasm for personal grasp of knowledge.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Participates on pre-assessment teams to determine necessity for comprehensive student evaluation; initiates, schedules and attends IEP meetings' works with multi-disciplinary team to diagnose need; structures/implements IEP for each student identified
• Defines, structures, and communicates daily expectations according to IEP including but not limited to course goals, objectives, learning methods and activities
• Communicates with regular education staff members on course instructional and meditative strategies and objectives, students' grasp of material and their outcomes and perspectives for applications of materials learned
• Receives and reports grades, in-puts student data via computer, negotiates schedules and communicates with all pertinent participants- administration, parents, staff and students, etc.
• Controls classroom and individual behavior; adapts and adjusts course content and reading levels to specify skills to be taught; discerns means of building memory and study skills; and assists individual students in achieving academic, daily living and social skills, learning objectives by working with them individually and in small groups
• Presents various listening and learning opportunities appropriate to each student's IEP including by not limited to lecture, VCR, TV, support of regular classroom teachers and other presentations and/or opportunities inside or outside
• Prepares, displays events and reinforcement activities which encourage participation
• Evaluates and Communicates
• Plans assessments for evaluation to include but not limited to various diagnostic techniques: standardized survey and criterion-referenced test; teacher developed oral and written tests; student personal indices (effort, potential, interests, memory)
• Designs subject-based reinforcement to follow assessments and student's learning objectives (computer, lab activities, working independently or on group projects, field/community reinforcement.)
• Designs a grading system which encourages motivation and participation; collects and enters student data in computer from charts and observations and reports progress in growth and development regularly as required
• Designs classroom rules for student interaction (courtesy and respect for belongings, space and ideas), self control, working independently, appropriately gaining the floor, and accepting reminders from teacher; designs systems for handling all behavior (from simple infractions to severe behavior)
• Prepares physical condition of classroom to reflect seasons and subject matter to facilitate student learning
• Keeps daily records on but not limited to student attendance, learning and social needs, assignments, assessments and discipline; supervises paraprofessional(s)
• Manages all job duties with the mobility, agility, dexterity and focused observation necessary to adequately perform the essential duties, as described above

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with WPS guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs.
• Occasional carrying up to 20 lbs.
• Pushing/pulling up to 20 lbs. for distances of up to more than 100 feet
• Frequent reaching below waist, occasional reaching waist to shoulder, and limited overhead reaching
• Frequent sitting
• Frequent standing/walking

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• Kansas Teaching License, core content license and working towards or have a Master's degree in Special Education
• Master's in special education or Enrolled in a Special Ed Degree program with plan of study on file with District and Special Ed Waiver obtained
• Prior teaching experience preferred

FLSA Status: