PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Provide special education students with appropriate distance, virtual, or face to face learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignments

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area

Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation

General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Experience

Highly qualified as per NCLB guidelines, if applicable to teaching assignment

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Instructional Strategies

• Develop and implement lesson plans and activities through distance, virtual, or face to face learning to fulfill the requirements of the district’s curriculum program and show written evidence of preparation as required.
• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop Individual Educational Plan (IEP) through the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process for each student assigned.
• Implement an instructional, and/or skill development program for assigned students and show written

evidence of preparation as required.

• Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, and resources for distance, virtual, or face to face learning that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned students according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, board policies, and administrative regulations.
• Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
• Present subject matter according to guidelines established by IEP.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Plan and supervise assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).
• Use technology in teaching/learning process and provide blended learning opportunities in the classroom environment.
• Conducts Pre/Post assessments.

Student Growth and Development

• Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
• Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned.
• Sponsor outside activities approved by campus Principal.
• Be a positive role model for students; support mission of school district and campus.
• Report progress to parents.

Classroom Management and Organization

• Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional

development of students.

• Manage student behavior and administer discipline. This includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
• Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Assist in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.

Communication

• Be available by phone, email, or video conferencing during a scheduled conference period and/or office hours to confer with district personnel, students, and/or parents. The rest of the workday is committed to the planning, preparing, online staff development, virtual campus/district meetings, ARD’s, implementing and evaluation lessons and activities.
• Communicate daily with all students or parents via Google Classroom, Google Meet, Microsoft Office 365 Email, or phone or video conference and maintain an ongoing contact log for your records.
• Prepares and conducts ARD meetings.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
• Provide ongoing feedback of student achievement through formal and informal methods on mastery of lessons as per established district grading procedures.
• Provides staff development to general staff.
• Provides parent training when necessary.
• Assures that ARD recommendations are followed.
• Assess student progress towards IEP goal through progress monitoring.

Other

• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
• Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Performs all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or to others.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise assigned teacher aide(s)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:]

• Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer, phone system, video/instruction equipment.
• Mental Demands/Physical Demand/ Environmental Facotrs: Work prolonged or irregular hours, prolonged sitting, repetitive computer work with frequent use of hands and wrists, work from home or location other than school building (unless asked to go on site).
• Maintain emotional control under stress; frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment; may be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non- ambulatory students; exposed to biological hazards.

The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, gender, age, national origin, disability, military status, or on any other basis prohibited by law.