Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans comprehensive, educational courses of study for special education students as approved by the HCS Board of Education and correlating modified lesson plans, learning activities, educational materials, and supplemental resources to meet the individual needs, interests, and abilities of assigned students within the Special Education Services program.
• Teaches special education students in a manner that accommodates students’ individual skills and abilities, contributes to educational, social, and career development, and promotes independent learning and academic success.
• Provides a balanced and supportive program of individualized and group instruction, demonstration, activities, and work time in order to adapt the curriculum to meet the varying needs and learning styles of students within the Special Education Services program, to improve development skills and academic progress, and to provide opportunities for active and successful participation through observation, lecture, inquiry, group discussion, pull-out sessions, and investigation.
• Creates specialized lesson plans and courses of study that demonstrate an understanding and recognize the impact of a student’s special needs, individual learning style, and cultural, ethnic, and social background on his/her ability to learn and achieve academically.
• Attends Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings and collaborates with IEP team members for the purpose of evaluating, recommending, and implementing appropriate IEP goals, accommodations, treatments, and services for each student.
• Guides students in the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and establishes clear objectives for all lessons while striving to implement the school district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals.
• Establishes and enforces appropriate classroom rules and procedures in accordance with district policies and maintains clear standards of student behavior in order to achieve an orderly, functional environment conducive to learning.
• Prepares and maintains accurate, complete, and proper records, data, and documentation pertaining to special education students for the purpose of preparing reports, monitoring activities, and complying with applicable district policies and state/federal laws and regulations.
• Works with Special Education Services personnel and general education teachers as appropriate to evaluate and discuss students’ needs and progress, develop teaching strategies and instructional activities for integration into the district’s adopted curriculum, coordinate instructional efforts, identify academic and behavioral issues, and make referrals to HCS personnel or other professionals as needed.
• Communicates effectively with students’ parents to establish rapport, discuss academic progress, communicate expectations, develop plans for improvement, answer inquiries, and assist in resolving existing and potential issues for the purpose of providing a solid educational foundation in accordance with each student’s unique needs and abilities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assesses the advancement and accomplishments of special education students on an ongoing basis through the utilization of tests, assignments, observation, and other evaluation methods; prepares progress reports for distribution as required by school guidelines.
• Provides leadership to classroom assistants as applicable and communicates effectively to assign duties in order to meet classroom goals and develop effective instructional plans.
• Organizes and supervises class field trips and other approved educational activities as necessary to support curriculum and guides students in opportunities to best utilize and apply learning experiences.
• Operates responsibly and monitors students in the use and care of computers, assistive technology devices, and other district equipment and materials in compliance with established policies.
• Makes provisions to ensure availability to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Notifies appropriate personnel regarding evidence of child abuse/neglect (as required by state law), as well as severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide, or students appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
• Maintains familiarity with the school’s safety plan and actively contributes to a safe school environment by following applicable procedures and laws, reporting unsafe actions and/or conditions, and assisting with supervision as required.
• Participates in a variety of staff and IEP meetings as well as approved professional development programs, including in-service activities, educational conferences, teacher training workshops, etc., and serves on various teams and committees when appropriate.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree in Education from an accredited university and a valid Alabama teaching certificate endorsed in Special Education.

Physical Requirements

Exerts 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

Terms of Employment

Nine month year. Salary as recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.

To view the Huntsville City Schools Salary Schedule, right click on the link below and select Open Link in New Tab.

Huntsville City Schools Salary Schedule

This specification has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work found in this position. As such, it is not intended to contain all duties and qualifications of an employee in this position. Consequently, it is not intended to be perceived as an identification of essential job functions as required by ADA. Note: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to that position.

Revision Date: August 14, 2014