Special Education Teacher – Early Childhood Special Education, Grades K-1

Job Title: Special Education Teacher, Early Childhoon Special Education, Grades K-1
Department: District 
Supervisor: Academy Director 
FLSA Status: Exempt  1.0 FTE, 10 month position

This position is for the 2024-2025 school year

Summary

A Special Education Teacher at Duluth Edison Charter School is committed to academic and personal excellence for every student. Special Education Teachers will understand what it means to be a lifelong learner and participate in ongoing professional development, goal setting, learning, and reflection in each school year.  Special Education Teachers will work as a member of their assigned House Team.  

Standard Special Education Teacher Roles & Responsibilities:

• Provide research-based special education services identified on the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of students with disabilities

• Provide special education services in a variety of service delivery models such as pull-out, push-in, co-teaching, resource room, alternative instruction, level 3 specialized classrooms as assigned

• Comply with all state and federal special education rules and regulations

• Facilitate IEP meetings; schedule and hold IEP meetings within required timelines

• Collaborate with Special Education Lead and/or Special Education Coordinator and IEP members to develop IEPs.

• Complete IEPs and progress notes in a timely manner

• Participate in the special education evaluation process, including complying with all state and federal special education rules and regulations, as assigned

• Supervise the work of assigned paraprofessionals and assist with their performance evaluations (this position does not have authority to hire, terminate or discipline)

• Be knowledgeable in the state standards, skills and content of their assigned curriculum areas of teaching

• Participate in district-provided training related to crisis intervention skills and techniques. Utilize approved verbal de-escalation skills and behavior management techniques during crisis intervention, including physical restraint in emergency situation as prescribed by district procedures, provided training, and Minnesota statutes.

• Prepares course objectives and outline for course of study following curriculum guidelines and state or national standards; implement and teach the core values established by our school as the focus of instruction and discussion when appropriate

• Uses formative and summative assessment data to inform instruction

• Writes, implements and evaluates his or her own professional development plans

• Teaches rules of conduct; models the behavior expected of students; maintains order in the classroom and on the playground.

• Creates and manages a PBIS based learning environment that enables students to feel safe, be creative and develop excellence

• Keeps attendance and grade records as required by school. Utilize our Infinite Campus system and enter grades in a timely fashion

• Coordinates class field trips.

• Differentiates instruction to accommodate the needs of all students in the classroom

• Administers MAP, MCA and other assigned assessments as relevant to his or her area of teaching

• Analyzes classroom data to inform his or her teaching and small group instruction

• Integrates technology into their teaching and professional activities

• Collaborates with house teams on curriculum, planning and student needs, Attends house and staff meetings; attends and participates in professional development trainings

• Creates and works toward ongoing communication with parents in a variety of forms

• Implements school and district policies and procedures

• Participates in and contributes to student planning and problem solving conferences. 

• Collaborates with other professionals/stakeholders working with the student. Implements any planned and documented interventions.

• Participates in and contributes to student 504 Plan meetings and IEP meetings. Collaborates with other professionals/stakeholders working with the student. Implements any accommodations and makes any modifications for designated students as indicated in the students’ Section 504 and Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

• Maintains familiarity with and be prepared to implement current district and building Emergency Procedures.

• Complete assigned student learning conferences

• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations, (and HIPAA if this position requires).

• Demonstrates familiarity with policies of the Duluth Public Schools District and state and federal regulations pertaining to education.

• Participates on committees and special projects and performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Language / Communication Skills

  • Ability to read, write, speak, listen and understand the English language.
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common journals, reports, and education related documents.
  • Ability to respond to common inquiries or concerns from students, caregivers, regulatory agencies, or members of the school community.
  • Ability to effectively present and communicate information and respond to questions.
  • Ability to write lesson plans and other materials that conform to commonly accepted style and format.
  • Gets along well with others and effectively works with teams.

• Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Availability & Attendance

  • Work schedule may include hours up to eight hours in a day, or 40 hours in a week.
  • ?Follows all attendance policies and procedures, including punctuality and proper timeclock or timesheet reporting.

• Computer Skills

  • Computer proficiency with software programs and the ability to learn new computer technology and programs. 
  • Strong knowledge of instructional technology platforms and Google Workspace.

• Mathematical Skills

  • Ability to apply concepts of basic math.
  • The ability to analyze and understand data represented multiple ways (charts, graphs, etc.); identify trends or ‘root causes’ in data; and calculate with percentages.

• Psychology 

  • Basic knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.

• Social Perceptiveness

  • Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Education 

  • Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work in education or related area.

  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience permitting one to obtain licensure as a teacher by the Minnesota Department of Education.

• Certification or Licensure

  • Valid Minnesota Teacher’s License appropriate for the particular grades or subject matter area assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. In emergency situations, the employee may be required to use physical restraints as prescribed by district procedures, provided training and Minnesota statutes. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.