Special Education Elementary Teacher

Job Description

Starting Date: Immediately

Classification: Certified

Location: Assigned School

Reports to: School Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Teacher (182 working days 6.5 hours per day)

The special education teacher is primarily responsible for effective teaching and learning of the assigned subject(s) following district approved curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices. As a special education teacher, teacher may teach in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational settings to include but not limited to Life Skills, Behavior Development, Structured Communications, and Learning Resource/Support. Primary responsibility shall include student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare.

The teacher works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator. Teacher may also receive direction and/or supervision from a district special education administrator. The teacher’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of Taos Municipal Schools district policies and procedures, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.

• The teacher plans for student success based on assessed needs of individuals students and the use of data and information to determine each student’s current knowledge of skill level, set student learning goals, and assess student progress. In assessing student needs, the teacher applies or uses district approved assessment tools and strategies. As part of the planning process, the teacher leads or assists in identifying and in complying with teaching and learning and student accommodation requirements under Individual Education Program (IEP) and 504 accommodation requirements.
• The teacher works collaboratively in a professional learning community with other teachers, support staff, multi-disciplinary teams, and others as appropriate, in addressing the needs of the students, developing effective teaching, and learning practices.
• The teacher regularly conducts planning for lessons using commonly accepted professional practice (content, goals, assessment, re-teaching, etc.) and consistent with school/district approved curriculum and instructional practice. The teacher uses research-based instructional strategies in planning lessons to make the teaching and learning more relevant to students (e.g., contextual learning opportunities).
• The teacher maintains and provides reasonable and meaningful student grading and evaluation consistent with school district policy and regularly and effectively communicates such information to students and parents. Reporting may include regular posting to and maintenance of electronic grade systems with parent and student access.
• The teacher integrates district approved and/or required technology into planning, learning, progress reporting, and required record-keeping activities including the preparation of IEPs in case of students with special needs.
• The teacher creates, communicates, and maintains classroom management practices that effectively engage students in the learning process. Acceptable student behavior and related discipline procedures are well understood by students and consistently enforced to maintain a positive learning environment.
• The teacher actively participates in faculty and grade level or department, and curriculum meetings; assists building efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate the school’s program and to do related work as required. In carrying out these responsibilities, the teacher applies school policy and procedures, standard practices, state requirements, and approved curriculum, and actively and positively supports the school vision.
• The teacher is constantly observant of the needs and challenges of students and promptly engages an administrator or appropriate educational staff associates when the…