Special Education Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Education Teacher is responsible for supporting the Special Education Department in maintaining a compliant and high-quality special education program.  Regular and predictable attendance are essential functions of this position.

SCHEDULE: 7:15 AM to 3:00 PM

GRADES/SUBJECT AREAS: We have several vacancies for the 2023-24 school year in a all grade levels (K-12).  Please let us know your preferences in your application/cover letter.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that assigned students meet academic success in their classrooms as measured by achievement on IEP goals, student grades, and standardized tests
• Creating, reviewing, modifying, and revising student IEP’s
• Ensuring that assigned special education students are receiving all required special education services according to their IEP or 504 plans
• Setting up and attending student IEP meetings as required
• Maintaining special education student files to meet compliance requirements
• Meeting with general education teachers regarding implementation of accommodations in regular education courses, as needed
• Providing daily engaging instruction to assigned students in large group settings, small group settings, and one-on-one, using a multitude of instructional strategies
• Reviewing and analyzing student data on a daily basis to inform instruction and planning and implementing strategies to achieve targets related to student learning outcomes
• Taking responsibility for student progress, constantly working to respond to students’ learning needs
• Preparing and submitting lesson plans on a weekly basis
• Maintaining a positive and respectful culture in the classroom
• Communicating and upholding school rules, values and expectations in a clear and consistent manner, in and out of the classroom
• Communicating with parents and students and responding to issues on a regular basis via phone, e-mail, and in-person, as needed
• Grading assessments, recording grades, and providing progress report comments
• Working collaboratively with the principal and other teachers to develop and revise curriculum based on assessment data
• Attending professional development activities
• Attending or sponsoring at least two school events throughout the year in order to ensure adequate staff attendance at weekend and evening functions
• Ensuring regular and predictable attendance on a daily basis
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Current PA Special Education K-12 Certification
• Additional PA teaching certifications preferred
• Commitment to urban education and a belief that all students should be held to high academic standards
• Unwavering commitment to improving the knowledge, skills, and lives of students with disabilities
• Strong knowledge of special education law and compliance
• Highly skilled at differentiating instruction in order to meet the needs of special education students
• Ability to deliver engaging lessons
• Experience in using data to drive instruction and inform decision making
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, teamwork and leadership skills
• High physical and emotional energy
• Strong technology skills
• Excellent time management and multi-tasking skills with the ability to “wear many hats”
• Excellent communication skills
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

WORKING CONDITIONS

The working conditions of a Special Education Teacher include:

• Very high levels of social interaction, with daily and consistent work with children, parents, and other teachers.
• Communicating with people face-to-face on a daily basis, as well as communication through phone, e-mail, letters, and memos.
• Working very near others, within a few feet or less, which may result in exposure to diseases and infections, such as colds and influenza.
• Exposure to loud sounds and high noise levels on a regular basis.
• Responsibility for the health and safety of the children in their school.
• Being placed in conflict situations where parents and students might become angry or unpleasant.
• Working as part of a team of educators.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Special Education Teachers are regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.