Teacher - Special Education; MM

Teacher - Special Education

Under the direction of the Building Principal and Director of Special Education, the Licensed Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; evaluates and assesses student progress aligned to instructional objectives and IEP goals; follows State mandated due process procedures and functions as IEP Case Manager to assigned students.

Mild/Moderate:
If a student can be part of the general education classroom, their disability can range from mild to moderate. Students with more mild or moderate disabilities range from specific learning disabilities, like struggling in reading or math, to speech impairment where the student needs speech therapy for pronunciation issues. These students can normally function within a general classroom setting with accommodations or an inclusion teacher.

Even a physical disability, such as a hearing impairment or health impairment, can be mild. A student with a hearing impairment might just need a hearing device to hear in the classroom but may not need any other accommodations to succeed. Typically, a general education teacher will have students who fall in the mild/moderate special education disability category.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements annual and triennial Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plan for students to include present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.
• Develops individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensures each student's activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Ensures programs and services comply with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); ensures each applicable student is provided with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is properly modified for his/her individual needs.
• Administer, score, and record the results of criterion referenced, group standardized and specialized tests in evaluating pupil growth and progress.
• Counsel, confer, and communicate with parents, school and District personnel regarding pupil progress, and in the interpretation of the educational program.
• Identifies the students' needs and develops related lesson and teaching plans.
• Develops an integrated plan for the education of each child by collaborating with classroom teachers, parents, psychologists, related service providers, social workers, and other school staff.
• Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting required specifications of IEPs.
• Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, and continually tracks progress and makes modifications as necessary.
• Collaborates with general education teachers to ensure each students needs are met and plans are followed.
• Develops, completes, and maintains all paperwork mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.
• Maintains knowledge of special education teaching methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.
• Establishes and enforces classroom management structure and rules that ensure the academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.
• Celebrates the achievements and successes of students.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Education:
  
  Minimum
  
  B.A/B.S degree in teaching from an accredited institution in the appropriate special education area.
• Certification Requirement:
  Possession of a licensure from the Colorado Department of Education authorizing service as a teacher of special needs pupils.
• Experience:
  
  Successful completion of student teaching at a recognized college or university and/or two years of full-time classroom teaching experience with the special needs child.

Knowledge of and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  Thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty areas.
• Thorough understanding of and the ability to implement a variety of effective teaching methods.
• Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education including IDEA and IEPs.
• Educational curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, and the educational trends and research findings pertaining to the special needs child.
• Behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques and methods, and conflict resolution procedures.
• Socio-economic and cultural background differences of the school population.
• Ability to:
  Direct, monitor and collaborate with certified and classified staff working with students who have disabilities. Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. To deliver and articulate oral presentations and written reports. To effectively…