BCSS - Behavior and Social Skills Teacher

Behavior Communication And Social Skills Teacher

A bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average Completion of a student-teaching program Passing a background check

Assess students' skills and determine their educational needs

Adapt general lessons to meet students' needs

Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student

Plan activities that are specific to each student's abilities

Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one

Implement IEPs, assess students' performance, and track their progress

Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students' progress and goals

Discuss students' progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators

Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities

Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and from school to life outside of school

Communication skills. Special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand. They also must write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and share students' progress with general education teachers, counselors and other specialists, administrators, and parents.

Critical-thinking skills. Special education teachers must be able to assess students' progress and use the information to adapt lessons.

Interpersonal skills. Special education teachers work regularly with a team of educators and the student's parents to develop IEPs. As a result, they need to be able to build positive working relationships.

Patience. Special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material.

Resourcefulness. Special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students' needs. They also help general education teachers adapt their lessons to the needs of students with disabilities.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, stand, move, and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and arms to handle and feel and reach. The position requires the ability to accompany students anywhere on school premises. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel and occasionally lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The employee must be physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain student safety.