Long Term Substitute: Special Education Resource Teacher

Job Summary
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Special Education Resource Teacher to join our team for the approximate time period noted above. As a Special Education Resource Teacher, you will play a crucial role in providing individualized support and resources to students with diverse learning needs. You will collaborate with classroom teachers, administrators, and parents to develop and implement effective strategies that promote academic and social-emotional growth for students with disabilities. This role requires excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of special education principles, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Job Functions

1. Individualized Instruction: Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities, evaluation reports, behavior support plans, and other due process documents to ensure that instructional strategies and accommodations are tailored to meet the student’s unique learning needs.
2. Resource Development: Create and adapt instructional materials, resources, and assistive technologies to support students with disabilities in accessing the curriculum and achieving academic goals.
3. Collaborative Planning: Collaborate with classroom teachers, special education staff, and other professionals to design and implement inclusive instructional practices that promote student success in the general education setting.
4. Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Conduct ongoing assessments to evaluate student progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student performance and participation in accordance with state and federal regulations.
5. Behavioral Support: Provide positive behavior support and intervention strategies to address challenging behaviors and promote social-emotional development among students with disabilities.
6. Parent and Community Engagement: Communicate regularly with parents and guardians to provide updates on student progress, discuss concerns, and solicit input for IEP development and implementation. Collaborate with community agencies and support services to coordinate additional resources and support for students with disabilities and their families.
7. Professional Development: Stay current with best practices, research-based interventions, and legal requirements related to special education. Participate in professional development activities and collaborate with colleagues to enhance knowledge and skills in supporting students with diverse learning needs.
8. Other Duties As Assigned: Adhere to staff and program guidelines and district procedures and policies. Demonstrate prompt, regular and reliable attendance. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Current Minnesota Teacher licensure in Special Education; or
  • Authorization for the district to complete an Out of Field Permission (OFP) request; or 
  • Ability to meet the Tier 1 or Tier 2 PELSB license guidelines. 
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills with families, students and staff.
• Strong understanding of special education laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Sensitivity and compassion for the needs and issues for families and students with disabilities.
• Desire to provide assistance and advocacy to families and children with disabilities.
• Willing to learn the specifics of South St. Paul educational philosophy and goals for students.
• Excellent teaching skills.
• Excellent technology skills.
• Commitment to working effectively with culturally, economically and socially diverse students and families.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands and working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is frequently required to kneel, reach, stand, walk and climb stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.