Special Education Teacher- Washington Village School; Echo Valley SD

Special Education Teacher – Washington Village School (Echo Valley SD)

Central Vermont Supervisory Union – Washington Village School, Washington, Vermont

JOB SUMMARY: Working in collaboration with teachers, families, students, administrators, and other professional and paraprofessional personnel, and consistent with state and federal law, the Special Educator manages, coordinates, and oversees the implementation of effective interventions for students in the CVSU community (kindergarten–fifth grade) who have demonstrated behavior and/or learning barriers that require intervention and instruction. The position focuses on foundational learning skills, literacy, math, and behavior support services to enable assigned students to meet Vermont’s learning expectations in the least restrictive environment.

The Special Educator develops and evaluates Individual Educational Programs (IEP), specialized literacy and math instruction, and potentially behavior plans. The Special Educator provides comprehensive evaluation services with professional and technical assistance from the Director of Special Services, district-wide specialists, and other Special Educators within the building.

PLANNING AND PREPARATION:

• Develop standards-based individualized Educational Plans (IEP) for students who qualify for such services.
• Coordinate and implement community-based screenings to identify children who may need a comprehensive assessment.
• Administer and coordinate a thorough assessment of identified students using a variety of techniques including standardized tests, rubrics, checklists, curriculum-based measures, developmental scales, observation, and behavior objectives.
• Consult with parents, counselors, teachers, social workers, administrators, testing specialists, and other professionals to determine assessment tools and discuss evaluation results.
• Interpret educational and clinical findings to determine program eligibility and assess student progress.
• Apply best instructional practices and research to provide effective programs in compliance with federal and state laws.
• Communicate research findings related to reading and math instruction to colleagues and the wider community to improve classroom practice.
• Research, coordinate, and utilize available school and community resources, including para-support personnel and outside agencies, to ensure proper IEP delivery.
• Plan, develop, and monitor extended school-year programs and provide technical assistance to summer tutors; communicate summer programming to assignment teachers and the Special Educator.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

• Create and maintain an environment of respect and rapport.
• Provide a safe learning environment for all students in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Assist with integration of assigned students into regular classroom settings using inclusion and the least restrictive environment.
• Develop, implement, and monitor effective behavior management and crisis-prevention plans as needed.
• Identify and implement appropriate assistive technology devices and other adaptive or augmentative systems to enhance communication and accessibility.

INSTRUCTION:

• Communicate and support best-practice research in social skills, literacy, and math instruction and assessment; model or co-teach specific instructional approaches when appropriate.
• Select, design, or modify classroom instruction for assigned students to promote academic, vocational, physical, and social development.
• Implement activities and materials that engage students and maximize comprehension of lessons.
• Provide direct academic instruction, social skills training, and other services to develop readiness for future placements; adjust pace and amount of explicit instruction to meet individual needs.
• Use progress monitoring tools to evaluate progress and adjust interventions accordingly.
• Provide timely, effective feedback on progress to parents, students, and professionals.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior using behavior modification, positive reinforcement, and established curricula to promote prosocial behavior and de-escalation.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the school principal in…