Special Education Teacher- WESTCHESTER

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The special education teacher will be responsible for the preparation, implementation and supervision involved in all instructional, organizational, behavioral and management aspects of the classroom assignment.  Provide SEIS or Parent Training as assigned.  Employ special education strategies and techniques to reinforce learning and meet needs and goals of individual students while preparing objectives and outlines aligned with NY State Preschool Core Standards utilizing thematic and standardized curriculums.  Evaluation and assessment of student performance, maintain accurate data to prepare quarterly report cards, annual review reports, and establish IEP goals, collaboration with other members of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate educational placement of students in both preschool and public school settings, and ongoing communication with parents. Present student profiles at CPSE/CSE meetings and attend professional meetings and educational conferences. This position involves direct guidance and planning of assignments for Teacher Assistants/Teacher Aides. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential:

• Employ special education strategies and techniques, including Applied Behavioral Analysis instruction,  to promote student development in all areas including cognitive, memory, literacy, communication, motor, perceptual-motor, social emotional and adaptive skills. 
• Plans and coordinates daily lesson plans in accordance with the program's curriculum and aligned to New York State Preschool Core Standards which are reviewed by the Principal on a weekly basis.
• Responsible for implementation of all aspects of a student’s program, including but not limited to educational instruction, behavior management, development of daily living skills (feeding, dressing, toileting), participating in special programs (music, adaptive physical education), mainstreaming, and transition to or from before/after care.
• Use computers, IPADS, audio-visual aides and other materials/equipment/teaching aids to supplement instructional delivery. 
• Administers educational evaluations as assigned for students in Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education or for students transitioning from Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education.  Attend IFSP/CPSE meetings as member of evaluation team as required.
• Develops IEPs/IFSPs a minimum of 2 times per year, per student.
• Acts as leader of the educational team and participates on transdisciplinary teams to implement IEP/IFSP goals with individual children.
• Presents student profile at IFSP, CPSE or CSE meetings and capably justifies educational/therapeutic recommendations using observational and objective evaluation data.
• Maintains accurate records of each student's progress on all required internal or municipality documents as well as daily data collection related to student specific progression toward IEP/IFSP goals through individualized instruction.
• Keeps parents continually informed of student progress by sending home daily notes, meeting with parents at parent-teacher conferences, responding to parent telephone calls and maintaining correspondence as needed.
• Maintains a professional relationship with parents at all times, respecting professional boundaries.
• Maintains accurate student records, including but not limited to; attendance, accident and injury reports, health forms, task sheets, behavioral data aligned with Behavioral Intervention Plans, annual review assessments/evaluations, quarterly report cards and home reports.
• Provides 1 to 1 special instruction to students receiving individual early intervention services; document daily notes on municipality mandated documentation sheet in each students' EI acco-grip books under "special instruction".
• Assists, plans and supervises all classroom activities for students receiving group Early Intervention services; document daily notes on municipality mandated documentation sheet in each students' EI acco-grip books under "group instruction.”
• Orders and maintains inventory of classroom supplies and materials by completing requisition forms, requests for typing/copying and maintaining classroom inventory list.
• Organizes classroom at start and end of school year.
• Keeps informed of latest trends, philosophies, theories and materials in early childhood education by reading literature in professional books/journals, internet or web-based resources, and attending and sharing information on a minimum of two pre-approved professional educational conferences a year.
• Integrates typically developing peers into group activities.
• Serve on committees or prepare professional presentations for educators and/or parents upon request.
• Meets with Principal or designee on a weekly basis to review significant instructional, evaluative or policy/procedural issues as well as attend regularly scheduled individual supervisory meetings.
• Attends scheduled meetings including All Staff Orientation, Back to School Night, staff meetings, professional development inservices, and daytime/evening parent/staff IEP/IFSP conferences as required.
• When requested by principal, mentor other teachers in school or educational setting.
• Develop constructive, respectful and cooperative working relationships with coworkers.
• Communicate with district, county, organizational agencies or others outside the school.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of student information according to FERPA and HIPAA regulations and agency and municipality policies concerning social networking, texting, and use of cell phones.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform all other job related duties as assigned by the Principal or designee or as mandated by NYS DOH, SED or municipality regulations.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Completion of a NYS Registered Bachelors/Masters Degree Program – Students with Disabilities (Birth- Grade 2).
• New York State Certification in Special Education/Students with Disabilities Birth –Grade 2; dual certification in Early Childhood Education Birth – Grade 2 preferred.
• CPR certification.