Special Education Teacher-High Support Autism, Self Contained - District Placement (25-26 school year)

JOB SUMMARY:

Teachers are directly responsible to Mary Smith in the Student Services Department or designee for classroom instruction and supervision of students.  The teachers’ main responsibility is to lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, physical, social and career development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Additional duties may be assigned.

1. Manage and maintain confidentiality of information about students on caseload.
2. Collaborate with all stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
3. Act as special education case manager for students on caseload.
4. Observe students for signs of disruptive or inappropriate behavior, analyze behaviors, and develop appropriate plans for positive behavior change.
5. Implement appropriate instructional techniques to achieve IEP and curriculum goals.
6. Collaborate with parents and professionals from within and outside the school to promote the educational and social development of students.
7. Create an environment conducive to student learning and appropriate to the interests and needs of students.
8. Guide students in the learning process toward achievement of IEP and curriculum goals and establish clear short-term objectives or benchmarks for student projects, activities, and assignments.
9. Maintain ongoing two-way communication with parents, students, school administration, and fellow professionals within and outside of the school regarding student performance and progress.
10. Adequately prepare for student instruction.
11. Complete all necessary paperwork for the school and for students.
12. Supervise and support paraprofessionals assigned to students or the classroom.
13. Assist in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and Board policies.
14. Attend and participate in faculty meetings, professional development activities, workshops, grade-level and departmental meetings, and other activities to promote professional growth.
15. Provide assistance and support to students and the school in transportation-related issues.
16. Perform school duties as assigned by administration.
17. Other tasks as assigned by administrative personnel.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1. Appropriate state certification 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, and interact effectively with all aspects of the school community is required.
2. Ability to solve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and remain open to various ideas and viewpoints.

MATHMATICAL SKILLS:

1. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
2. Ability to use and teach mathematics commensurate with assigned position.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines while complying with established policies and procedures of the building and district.
2. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
3. Ability to concentrate, think, read and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of behavior management, behavior analysis and supports, and group dynamics. 
2. Knowledge of key factors of emotional disturbance.
3. Knowledge of appropriate grade level curricula and characteristics of student learning.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with parents, students, and other professionals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly sit, talk, listen, and respond.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee will regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.  Occasionally, the employee may lift up to 50 pounds, such as, to lift files, papers, and equipment.  The foregoing is not an exclusive list and the employee may be required to exceed the minimum physical demand specifications should the safety and security of students and staff be compromised.  Staff member must be Handle With Care Trained.  

The above physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job.  The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate to loud level with frequent interruptions.  The employee continuously interacts with students, staff and the public.  Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or other sites.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.