Special Education Teacher

Title: Teacher, Special Education 

Department: Special Education

Group: P.A.T- Teacher

Reports to: Director of Special Service

Salary Range: $47,066 to $103,660

Prepared Date: November 2024

FTE: 1.0

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide academic and social skills instruction to children with Disabilities. To create an educational program and a classroom environment that is multicultural/gender and ability fair/developmentally appropriate, is favorable to learning and growth and is based on a commitment that all children can learn.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for case management and maintaining appropriate due process files.
• Work effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Acquires knowledge of the goals of the Public School District Agenda and site/school goals.
• Establishes developmentally appropriate instructional and behavioral expectations for students and communicates those to students and their families.
• Creates lessons and learning environments that are safe, respectful, and interesting as well as multicultural/gender and ability fair/developmentally appropriate. Selects, adapts and individualizes materials appropriate for diverse student populations and skills.
• Collaborates and communicates regularly with families in making educational decisions and uses family and community resources to support learning.
• Assesses students’ developmental, cognitive and social needs and provides developmentally appropriate instruction to meet those needs.
• Regularly assesses student learning by using multiple forms of assessment.
• Facilitates positive interactions between students and teacher, student and peers and student and other adults.
• Models learning and behavior consistent with the expectations for students.
• Assesses own instructional effectiveness through the Professional Development Process (PDP).
• Participates in ongoing and regular staff, team and individual professional development.
• Collaborates with peers to develop, plan and implement best practices based on the needs/abilities of the students.
• Always keeps the students’ needs and rights first and foremost in any educational decision making.
• Demonstrates competence in the Standards of Effective Instruction.
• Has a working knowledge of and implements the Minnesota State Standards and the Graduation Rule.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of teaching principles, practices, techniques and approaches.
• Knowledge of child development theories and development stages and needs.
• Knowledge of current trends, theories and technologies pertaining to learning and instruction.
• Knowledge of assessment procedures and techniques, test construction and evaluation methods.
• Knowledge of subject material, concepts and issues related to grade/subject of assignment.
• Understanding of basic office equipment and software used by the district in maintaining records and files (i.e. word processing software, student record databases). 
• Knowledge of instructional technologies and software, equipment, tools and devices used presenting instruction, documenting assessments, student progress or other classroom administrative requirements of the district.
• Skilled in planning and developing lesson plans consistent with approved program curriculum.
• Skilled in presenting complex materials and concepts in an understandable and grade appropriate manner.
• Skilled in developing assessment tools, assessing and evaluating student performance and needs.
• Skilled in leading group processes/discussions, utilizing a variety of instruction aids and technologies.
• Ability to write reports, lesson plans, learning objectives, tests, and assists in writing and reviewing curriculum using and applying professional/technical concepts, principles and terminology.
• Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with parents, students, staff and other educational professionals over instructional needs, concerns or problems of the student and district.
• Dealing with children, staff, parents, administrators and other educational professionals over parent and student issues and concerns. Interactions require persuasion, instruction and working with others to gain cooperation and understanding of educational issues/needs.  Advises and makes recommendations to district administrators or committees concerning needs in curriculum and learning approaches

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 sit; use hands to handle or feel; talk; and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Education, Training and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university.
• Working knowledge of the subject matter, classroom management techniques, current researched best practices and strategies, as well as students’ learning styles and needs, both academic and affective.
• Prior successful experience student teaching or teaching in urban, multicultural education setting.
• Demonstrates continued professional development through course work, research, peer collaboration and/or job-embedded staff development.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• A valid Minnesota teaching or proof of pending approved licensure in content area.  
• Multiple licensures preferred