1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher – ASD Preferred

1.0  FTE Special Education Teacher
 
Special Education Teacher
As a special education teacher, your role is to provide specialized instruction and support to students with disabilities in their academic, social, and emotional development. Here’s a description of your responsibilities and the skills required for the position:

1. Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Development: Collaborate with the IEP team, including parents, administrators, and other educators, to develop and implement individualized education plans for each student. Assess students’ needs, set goals, and determine appropriate accommodations and modifications to ensure their educational success.
2. Differentiated Instruction: Adapt and modify instructional materials and methods to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students with disabilities. Utilize various teaching strategies, resources, and assistive technologies to engage students and promote their learning and independence.
3. Specialized Instruction: Provide direct instruction in core academic subjects, such as math, language arts, science, and social studies. Break down complex concepts into manageable parts, use multi-sensory approaches, and provide additional support to help students grasp the content. Teach study skills, organization techniques, and self-advocacy skills.
4. Individual and Small Group Instruction: Deliver instruction in one-on-one or small group settings to provide intensive support and address specific learning objectives. Tailor lessons to the unique needs and abilities of each student, monitor progress, and provide immediate feedback and reinforcement.
5. Behavior Management: Implement positive behavior support strategies and techniques to create a structured and supportive classroom environment. Establish clear expectations, reinforce appropriate behavior, and implement interventions to address challenging behaviors. Collaborate with support staff, such as behavior specialists or counselors, to develop behavior intervention plans if necessary.
6. Collaboration and Co-teaching: Collaborate with general education teachers to support inclusive practices and provide necessary accommodations and modifications in the general education classroom. Co-teach and co-plan lessons to ensure the inclusion and active participation of students with disabilities.
7. Progress Monitoring and Assessment: Assess students’ progress and track their performance through ongoing formative assessments and standardized testing when required. Maintain accurate records of student data, develop progress reports, and communicate student achievements and areas of growth to parents and other stakeholders.
8. Individualized Support Services: Coordinate and facilitate related services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling, as outlined in students’ IEPs. Collaborate with related service providers to ensure alignment between classroom instruction and therapeutic interventions.
9. Collaboration with Parents and Guardians: Maintain regular communication with parents and guardians, providing updates on student progress, discussing strategies for supporting learning at home, and addressing any concerns or questions. Foster a positive and collaborative partnership with families to promote student success.

 Skills required for this role:
Knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and best practices

• Understanding of various disabilities and their impact on learning
• Ability to create and implement effective instructional strategies and accommodations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Patience, empathy, and a nurturing approach to support students with special needs
• Strong organizational skills to manage IEPs, student data, and instructional materials
• Problem-solving skills to address individual challenges and adapt teaching methods as needed
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the changing needs of students
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, including co-teaching and collaboration with other educators and support staff