Summary

Special Education | Special Education | Lower School

Description

FTE:  1.0 FTE
 

Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is an award-winning language immersion school, conveniently located in Forest Lake, Minnesota near the North Metro 35W-35E split. LILA delivers a high-caliber education from a global perspective that combines second-language acquisition with a proven inquiry-based learning approach.

Job Summary:  The Special Education Social Skills Teacher will focus on determining the students’ baseline of current functioning and next steps in social skill development, and setting goals for the student on an attainable social skill improvement. Work involves teaching students with educational, behavioral, hard of hearing, and/or physical impairments. The Special Education Social Skills Teacher will work under the guidance of the Director of Special Education and Student Services.

Essential Functions:   

  • Directly teach lessons on specific social skills.

  • Develop appropriate methods for meeting and documenting objectives for each child. 

  • Complete Special Education Due Process Paperwork, such as but not limited to IEP’s, PWN’s and Progress Reports.

  • Develop curriculum materials using engaging and age-appropriate instructional strategies.

  • Create a safe and welcoming classroom environment.

  • Incorporate hands-on learning activities into daily instruction.

  • Oversee paraprofessionals.

  • Evaluate student performance through data collection. 

  • Communicate closely and encourage parental involvement regarding program goals, classroom activities, homework, school functions and student progress.

  • Infuse international-mindedness into the curriculum on a continual basis.

  • Participate in regular planning and staff development activities.

  • Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends, procedures and evaluation processes in special education.

  • Participate in professional development for language immersion, Responsive Classroom, and the International Baccalaureate Program.

Required Qualifications:

  • Must have a valid Minnesota Special Education teaching license; or the ability to earn permission to teach within the field; or willing to obtain a Special Education license, in Minnesota. 

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education or related field.

Preferences:

  • International Baccalaureate experience preferred.

  • Spanish and/or Mandarin Chinese language proficiency preferred, but not a must.

  • Experience teaching in Special Education preferred.

Opportunities:

  • Travel: Teachers are provided opportunities to participate in training provided in the Twin Cities, across the U.S., and sometimes internationally in the areas of Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and Responsive Classroom or Developmental Designs. Occasional travel may be required.

  • Work in a diverse culture: Many of our teachers were born in Mandarin and Spanish speaking countries.  Nearly all have traveled extensively, with the large majority having lived in a Mandarin or Spanish speaking country for at least a semester.

  • Social functions: We usually start the school year with a staff retreat in August, and have a January staff party with guests as well.  Each Friday, various staff members offer well-attended gatherings around sports or exercise, including volleyball, football (soccer), kettlebells, or Zumba.  Other social activities abound.

  • Professional Development: Lakes International provides professional development for new staff depending on needs and interest, but always including best practices of teachers in the International Baccalaureate programs and building a safe and inviting classroom climate for learning.

  • Career Track and Advancement: Many leadership positions are available to Lakes International teachers, depending on their interests, efforts, and expertise.

  • Grants to Teachers: The LILA Foundation frequently offers “Inquiry 360” grants to teachers to pursue enriching experiences that they can bring back to share in the classroom.  Teachers are encouraged to pursue these experiences abroad.  Inquiry 360 grants are competitive and are awarded in April for use the following summer.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires vocal communication, hearing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, use of hands to grasp and feel, and vision abilities including close, distance, and adjusting focus.  Lifting/moving required frequently up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds or more.  Work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and is generally in a moderately noisy location.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Â