Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

·       Develop initial and annual IEPs for students on their caseload

·       Facilitate effective lessons

·       Provide support for academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive needs

·       Prepare lessons with the needs of the learners in mind

·       Design activities to achieve the learning objectives of the students

·       Respect students and treat them with compassion and understanding

·       Develop educational content, including notes, assessments, and assignments

·       Progress monitor goals and achievement, maintain data tracking, evaluate, and document progress

·       Supervise classes to ensure all students are learning in a safe and productive environment

·       Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents

·       Manage classroom crises and resolve conflict

·       Coach/mentor other professionals who work with children with disabilities

·       Collaborate with the support staff (e.g., school counselors and speech therapists) to create intervention plans

·       Organize supplies, resources, and equipment

·       Deliver individualized instruction to each student by encouraging interactive learning opportunities

·       Ensure classroom is clean and orderly

·       Plan and implement educational activities and events beyond the IEP when appropriate

·       Prepare and distribute progress reports, IEP updates, grade reports, and semester reports

·       Plan, prepare, and attend case conference meetings

·       Provide services to students based on their individual needs, either within the classroom setting or resource room

·       Show commitment and professionalism through attendance, punctuality, and standards within your professional responsibilities

·       Establishing and maintaining a positive line of communication with parents

·       Adhere to guidelines set forth in Article 7

·       Understands, upholds, and enforces school rules, administrative regulations, Board Policy, and federal, state, and local law.

·       Completes required reports or electronic information/data entry in a timely manner (e.g., assessments, report cards, grades, attendance, progress reports, etc.).

·       Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.

·       Maintains punctuality by arriving at school each day by the appointed time.

·       Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, speech, and dress.

·       Completes other tasks as assigned by the superintendent or principal.

Teachers with Instructional Assistants

In conjunction with the Instructional Assistant, the teacher(s) with whom the Instructional Assistant works, will develop a schedule describing the type of student-focused, educationally-related activities in which the Instructional Assistant will engage and the duration of the activities. By the end of the first week of school, the schedule will be presented to the principal for approval.

Reports to:                       Principal

Work Period:                   183 days/year

Qualifications:                 As set by state certification authorities.

                                            Respects student and colleague diversity.

Physical/Mental             Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held

Requirements:                 devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds