Developmental Adapted Physical Education

Date Posted: August 25, 2023

Position Title: Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) Teacher, Special Education Programs

Positions Location: Multiple Locations Throughout Dakota County supporting the Dakota Alternative for the Severely Handicapped (DASH) Program and Students with Unique Needs (SUN) program

Hours per Day: 8.0

Schedule:7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, following the assigned school calendar

Anticipated Start Date: August 19, 2025

Assignment Length: 2025-2026 school year, continuing contract

Salary: Per the teacher contract


POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director/Principal, the developmental adapted physical education (DAPE) teacher for Intermediate School District 917’s Special Education programs will play a vital role in providing a consistent, safe environment conducive to learning by providing physical education and adapted physical education services and assisting students in the development of skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed as a foundation for future learning in accordance with each student's ability through the use of a variety of teaching and learning methods at various levels. In this role, one helps model and encourage respect, communication, and competency during student work tasks and during socialization. Professionalism, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach are essential when working with students receiving special education services to ensure their safety and growth and in order to help them understand and exhibit appropriate behaviors at school and in the community. The developmental adapted physical education teacher will be stepping into a team environment daily, where collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to the success of the individual, the team, and the success of the students. The teacher role is performed following District policy and State/Federal Laws.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, participation, and/or sports and motor achievement.
• Develop lesson plans and instructional materials providing effective teaching strategies while adhering to the District philosophy and vision.
• Create a classroom environment that responds to the needs of individual learners; Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate techniques; Translate lesson plans into learning experiences in a classroom environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies; Maximize time on task.
• Plans and implements a program of study designed to meet individual student needs including adhering to state and federal requirements for due process; Evaluate accomplishments of students on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods; Provide progress and interim reports for feedback.
• Encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process; Encourage and facilitates the work of other staff members in a collaborative, supportive environment.
• Communicate with parents in a timely manner; Maintain positive and constructive communication with students, staff, parents, and community.
• Work collaboratively with parents and other staff members to reinforce the educational program for each student; Communicate effectively to meet the needs of students and maintain a positive work environment for all.
• Share responsibility during the school day for the supervision of students in areas of the school.
• Protect students, equipment, materials and facilities by taking necessary and reasonable precautions.
• Uphold and enforce board policy, district goals, administrative procedures, school rules and regulations; Adhere to health and safety policies.
• Maintains appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Attend workshops, seminars and conferences as well as staff, department, curricular development and committee meetings and staff-development session, as required.
• Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics and state and federal laws.
• Keep current in subject matter knowledge and learning theory and is share this knowledge for continual improvement of the school's curriculum.
• Utilize proactive behavior management techniques, reinforcing positive behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques, and redirecting inappropriate behaviors. May be required to use restrictive procedures.
• Uses flexible thinking and adaptability to address student needs and responds calmly during crisis situations, when necessary.
• Other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:



PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:



DISTRICT PROFILE:

Intermediate School District 917 serves the low incidence needs of students receiving special education services from our member school districts in the southeastern metropolitan area. Students are referred to us by member school districts. Our programs and services include comprehensive options and efficient special education services that expand on what member districts may be able to offer students in their own schools. Programs provide special education and related service support to students from early childhood through age 21 in a variety of different, specialized settings for students with emotional/behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental and cognitive disabilities, mental health needs, those who are deaf and hard of hearing, and learning disabilities.

In our highly-structured and specialized educational environments, you will encounter:

• Classrooms of 4-8 students supported by a teacher and 3-6 trained paraprofessionals.
• Behavior support teams, including board certified behavior analysts.
• Lead teachers to support due process and curriculum development.
• Collaborative teams, which can include: audiologists, interveners, interpreters, teachers, paraprofessionals, developmental adaptive physical education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, school nurses, health associates, school social workers, and speech language pathologists.
• Functional spaces, which can include: individualized work spaces for each student, group instruction areas, sensory spaces, break spaces, playground/gym/area for gross motor movement, and safety features for staff and students.

District 917 also provides students from member districts a secondary education program, including Dakota County Area Learning Schools, which provide alternative learning programming both in-person and online to students in need of a positive, safe, and structured learning environment outside their resident high school, and Dakota County Secondary Technical Center, which provides technical education for high school students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

Application Procedure: Can be completed at https://www.applitrack.com/isd917/onlineapp/

District 917’s Website: http://www.isd917.org/