What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Teacher (Severe Disabilities) position at John F. Kennedy Elementary School?
Reports to:John F. Kennedy Elementary School Principal
Job Goal:
Provides students with severe disabilities with appropriate learning activities designed to address intellectual, academic, social/emotional and physical growth within the context of a self-contained program. Develops and modifies curricula and prepares lessons and instructional materials according to ability levels and in alignment with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Develops inclusion opportunities for students.
Qualifications:
1) Must meet all licensure and highly qualified requirements as set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Education (Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities).
2) Prior successful classroom work experience as a special education teacher.
Performance Responsibilities:
1) Creates and maintains appropriate standards of behavior, mutual respect and safety to provide a collaborative learning environment for all students.
2) Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected.
3) Demonstrates knowledge of state and federal regulations for special education.
4) Develops Individualized Educational Plans for students within one’s caseload.
5) Maintains data-based records and anecdotal records on each student’s progress as required. Writes progress reports.
6) Participates in the evaluations of students placed in the program.
7) Schedules and participates in team meetings.
8) Implements MCAS alternate assessment as indicated by the students’ IEPs.
9) Monitors and initiates revisions of IEPs to ensure the relevance of activities to each student’s current needs, and to ensure his/her full educational benefit.
10) Supervises and trains paraprofessionals and other staff to provide the maximum utilization of their time and skill. Provides clear and concise directions, instruction, and evaluation to all classroom staff.
11) Coordinates with specialists (PT, OT, Speech, BCBA) to facilitate therapeutic strategies across all content areas.
12) Designs effective and rigorous standards-based units of instruction consisting of well-structured lessons with measurable outcomes, and appropriate engagement strategies, activities, materials and technologies (i.e assistive technology) coordinated with students’ IEP goals/objectives.
13) Plans and implements lessons with daily routines, functional life routines, choice making and community outreach.
14) Develops instructional practices and strategies for teaching the acquisition of new behaviors and skills (i.e. prompting, reinforcement schedules, materials adaptations).
15) Provides tiered instruction and scaffolds; uses positive behavioral support procedures.
16) Participates in the selection and requisition of books, instructional aids, and instructional supplies; and monitors inventory.
17) Uses different forms and types of data collection including direct measures of behavior, anecdotal records, portfolio development and informal and formal methods of assessment to measure student learning, growth and understanding.
18) Analyzes data from assessments and draws conclusions to improve student learning; provides feedback to students.
19) Collaborates and engages with families regularly about student learning, performance and strategies for supporting student learning and development both at home and at school.
20) Demonstrates the capacity to reflect on and improve the educator’s own practice, using informal means as well as collaboratively with staff.
21) Maintains professional competence through in-service days and learning opportunities by the district, and/or in self-selected professional growth activities to improve quality of practice.
22) Collaborates and shares responsibility with colleagues to implement goals and initiatives of the school and district, including examining student work, analyzing student performance, and planning appropriate interventions.
23) Meets professional obligations with respect to punctuality, attendance and routine duties.
24) Provides additional assistance to the Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and their designees as directed.
Evaluation:
Performance of this job will be evaluated annually, in accordance with accepted district guidelines/procedures in alignment with state mandates and expectations.
Terms Of Employment: 182 days per year