Special Education - Early Childhood

Special Education Teacher QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
• Valid Alabama certification in the appropriate area.
• Must meet the No Child Left Behind Act regulations and requirements.
• Must meet background clearance requirements as specified by Alabama statutes and State Board of Education regulations.

Ability to develop and implement an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Ability to operate adaptive equipment required by handicapped students. Knowledge of the prescribed curriculum. Knowledge of child development and especially of characteristics of special education students in the age group assigned. Ability to plan and implement activities for maximum effectiveness. Ability to use varied teaching methods to address student learning styles.

Ability to use current technology. Ability to assess levels of student achievement effectively, analyze test results and prescribe actions for improvement. Ability to maintain appropriate student supervision so that students have a safe and orderly environment in which to learn. Knowledge of current educational research relating to the instruction of handicapped students. Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, policies and procedures relating to the education of handicapped students.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to work effectively with peers, administrators and others.

Principal

To provide an educational atmosphere in which special education students will move toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and psychological growth in accordance with system philosophy, goals and objectives.

Special Education Paraprofessional if assigned

• Facilitate mainstreaming and opportunities for inclusion.
• Develop behavior intervention plans as needed to help students develop socially accepted behavior and to achieve academically.
• Establish and use behavior management techniques which are appropriate, effective and consistent with the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Provide leadership for staffings and IEP meetings.
• Work with general education teachers to accommodate curriculum as needed when special needs students are assigned to their classes.
• Keep abreast of federal and state laws and regulations as they pertain to special education.
• Comply with policies, procedures, and programs relating to special education.
• Create or select long-range plans based on a review of system and state curriculum priorities, student profiles and instructional priorities.
• Define goals and objectives for unit and daily plans.
• Develop or select instructional activities which foster active involvement of students in the learning process.
• Identify specific intended learning outcomes which are challenging, meaningful and measurable.
• Plan and prepare a variety of learning activities considering individual student’s culture, learning styles, special needs and socio-economic background.
• Plan and prepare lessons and instructional strategies which support the school improvement plan and the system mission.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum content.
• Provide quality work for students which is focused on meaningful, relevant and engaging learning experiences.
• Select, develop, accommodate and/or adapt materials and resources which support learning objectives and address students’ varying learning styles, backgrounds and special needs.
• Sequence content and activities appropriately.
• Use appropriate material, technology and resources to help meet learning needs of all students.
• Create a learning climate that is challenging yet non-threatening.
• Establish and maintain a positive and safe learning environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process.
• Apply principles of learning and effective teaching in instructional delivery.
• Assist students in assessing, interpreting and evaluating information from multiple sources.
• Communicate high learning expectations for all students.
• Maintain academic focus by using a variety of motivational techniques.
• Maintain instructional momentum…