Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Specialist

Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Specialist

General

Summary:

The early childhood intervention specialist/itinerant teacher will consult with and coach P-CCS regular early childhood teachers and staff to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities who participate in a P-CCS regular early childhood preschool class. The Early Childhood Itinerant teacher will work directly with the child's primary caregivers (teachers, teaching assistant, and families to find ways to embed IEP based instruction into the child's daily routine, provide information to their adult partners, teach adults how to use research-based instructional strategies, and provide emotional support to adults to effectively work with children who have special needs.

The intervention specialist will model instructional strategies for classroom staff to use in learning opportunities that are distributed across the day and integrated into daily routines and activities. The early childhood intervention specialist/itinerant teacher provides inclusionary instruction, with a focus on assisting the student, when age-eligible, to successfully transition to school-age programming, while functioning independently across school environments.

Requirements:
Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Early Childhood Special Education endorsement or Early Childhood Endorsement with another area of special education. Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development. Experience working with a culturally diverse student population is preferred. Recent teaching experience in a special education classroom or inclusionary setting. Preschool experience preferred. Ability and willingness to provide services to special education students in multiple settings (Regular EC program, GSRP, Headstart, remote, home, etc.)

Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with students, staff members, parents and community. Knowledge of an effective, early childhood instructional program, aligned with the Michigan Department of Education's Early Learning Content Standards. Knowledge of the updated Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education. Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices; community agencies that can support students with disabilities; and effective classroom management techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(Other duties may be assigned.) Provides Early Childhood Special Education services utilizing a consulting / coaching model. Serves as the case manager for children on their caseload. Works collaboratively with parents and the child's primary care providers utilizing a transdisciplinary approach to gain an understanding of their development and needs. Observes and assesses preschoolers in the regular early childhood setting to gain information about children.

Works collaboratively with parents and classroom staff in developing Individual Education Plans and goals. Coordinates, facilitates and conducts annual Individualized Education Plan Meetings. Works collaboratively with parents and staff in adapting learning activities and tasks to meet each child's individual needs. Provide individual and group intervention to eligible preschoolers. Maintains accurate case records and documentation meeting the requirements of MARSE.

Connects families and providers to recommended services. Documents, on a regular basis, children's progress using assessment tools; monitoring through observations/evaluation and/or data collection. Uses student progress data to improve instruction and service provision. Collaborates with other preschool special education staff for the purpose of providing information for ancillary services and interventions. Understands and intentionally uses formative assessment to guide intervention.

Collects, analyzes, and interprets various formal and informal assessments and evaluation strategies to evaluate and modify interventions to support the educational program. Provides services to students in ways that build upon individual strengths and offers students maximum opportunities to participate in the planning and direction of their own learning experience. Research resources and…