Friendship Special Education and Social Studies Teachers

Certified Social Studies Teacher and Special Education Teacher

• Must be a current certificate holder or able to obtain certification. Fingerprint clearance required.
• Teaches courses in social studies, history, geography, American government, political science, or humanities to secondary pupils, utilizing the course of study adopted by the Board of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
• Instructs pupils in citizenship, basic communication skills, and other general elements of the course of study common to all teachers, as specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
• Develops a balanced social studies program involving factual background material, material on current events, discussion time, and other appropriate activities designed to encourage pupils to develop skills and attitudes, draw conclusions, achieve improved interpersonal relationships, and make value judgments based on scientific methods of inquiry.
• Provides individual and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils with varying intellectual abilities, attitudes, and cultural backgrounds.
• Develops knowledge of the purpose, structure, and operation of the American governmental and economic system, and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.
• Makes material from current magazines, newspapers, television programs, etc., available to pupils; plans and guides discussions of current social, political, and economic problems against the background of geographical environment and history of the area being studied.
• Develops knowledge of political and economic systems of other nations and their influence on personal freedom, education, and living standards of the people in those nations.
• Encourages pupils to become aware of the complexity and interrelations of local, state, national, and world problems.
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment.
• Evaluates each pupil's development in the course being taught, and prepares progress reports.
• Maintains professional competence through participation in in-service education activities provided by the district, and/or in self-selected professional growth activities.
• Participates in the selection and requisitioning of books, instructional aids, and instructional supplies, and maintains required inventory records; may request resource speakers and field trips.
• Communicates with parents and school counselors to discuss the individual pupil's progress.
• Identifies pupil needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping pupils solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day.
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
• Performs basic attendance accounting and business services as required.
• Serves as special education case manager for students as assigned.
• Develops effective instructional programs to accommodate individual needs and varying disabilities using a continuum of service delivery models.
• Facilitates the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and reflective development of children.
• Plans and implements individual education plans (IEPs) for children with varying disabilities that are consistent with developmentally appropriate educational practices, local procedure guidance, State and Federal IDEA regulations, the New York State Department of Education Learning Standards, and the Friendship Central School mission and philosophy.
• Documents IEPs, including measurable goals and objectives, as required under IDEA regulations.
• Works collaboratively with other teachers, special educators, families, community members, and administrators to implement each student's IEP.
• Uses ongoing assessment to monitor children's growth, development, strengths, and needs.
• Is accountable for fostering students' academic progress.
• Develops long-term relationships with children and their families by serving as the primary mentor for each child in their group.
• Attends IEP meetings as required.
• Formally and informally interacts with parents on a frequent and regular basis to provide information on their child's progress and to provide support as needed.
• Integrates parents' contributions to the curriculum as appropriate.
• Serves as a resource person to parents.
• Conducts periodic parent/teacher conferences to share information about children.
• Shares information with lead teachers for inclusion in their written narrative reports.
• Attends Open Houses and other family functions.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings to discuss various aspects of the curriculum.
• Contributes to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of Friendship Central School.
• Administers state-mandated assessments.
• Maintains records of IEP-mandated service delivery.
• Maintains confidentiality of special education records.
• Assists in training temporary and support staff such as assistants, aides, volunteers, and substitutes.
• Gives input to the Special Education Director in the development of policies and procedures and assists in their implementation.
• Maintains records of child attendance, health, and accidents, and reports to the Director as necessary.
• Show flexibility in meeting the Friendship Central School's scheduling and emergency needs.
• Is responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the classroom/special education areas.
• Communicates maintenance and repair needs to the appropriate parties.
• Conducts ongoing self-evaluation to identify areas for continual improvement.
• Participates in annual personal and professional review to set goals for the next year.
• Participates in professional development activities.
• Any additional responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent and/or Administration.