Special Education Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) Teacher

Special Education Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) Teacher 

FTE:  1.0 FTE
Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is an award-winning language immersion public charter school in Forest Lake, Minnesota. LILA prepares tomorrow’s critical thinkers and global citizens through language acquisition and inquiry-driven study. Convenient to both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, LILA is located close to the North Metro 35W-35E split.

Job Summary:  

The position will be in a co-taught setting within the Physical Education Class. The teacher for DAPE services will  work closely with the PE teacher to integrate students who meet criteria for DAPE services into their PE class. This person will assess students for DAPE criteria; complete due process paperwork such as progress reports, data collection, and attend IEP meetings; and teach adaptive physical education to students with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities. 

As a teacher in an IB school, the DAPE teacher will strive to infuse internationally minded concepts into the curriculum on a continual basis; maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends, procedures and evaluation processes in physical and health education; participate in regular planning and staff development activities; participate in all training programs required for subject area, Responsive Classroom, and the International Baccalaureate Programmes.  

The Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) Teacher will work under the guidance of the Director of Special Education.
Essential Functions:   

• Lead a specially designed physical education program for students with disabilities and/or a substantial delay or disorder in physical development.

• Assess students’ developmental, cognitive and social needs and provide developmentally appropriate instruction to meet those needs.

• Provide individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt physical education curriculum to the needs of each student, to the extent feasible. 

• Help students discover their talents in physical achievement and understand the relationship of good body function and exercise.

• Work cooperatively with other physical education teachers in planning a balanced physical education program. 

• Willing to assist PE teachers with workload,  including planning, contacting home, correcting, and teaching.

• Able to perceive and address individual and small group behavioral concerns.

• Identify student’s needs and cooperate with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems. 

• Motivate pupils to cultivate physical fitness, hygienic habits, and good social and emotional adjustment.

• Effectively manage caseload and maintain appropriate due process files.

• Perform related work as apparent or assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university

• A valid Minnesota teaching license in Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE), or proof of pending licensure

Preferences:

• Experience working with students with significant disabilities preferred.

• International Baccalaureate experience helpful.

• Language Immersion experience preferred.

• Spanish or Mandarin Chinese language proficiency helpful, but not a must.

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.