Adams Elementary - Special Education Teacher; Resource - FTE

Special Education Classroom Teacher

This position is assigned to the Resource service pathway. A special education classroom teacher performs under the general direction of the building principal or program manager and with assistance from appropriate staff personnel. A classroom teacher fosters and enhances an effective learning environment; establishes and adapts learning objectives and standards for special education students based upon general District guidelines and the rules and regulations governing special education;

provides instruction, counsels, disciplines, and supervises to meet the individual needs of assigned students; and, to evaluate student performance and progress.

Essential functions include fostering an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned special education students; planning an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs; preparing individual student lesson plans; adapting and modifying programs and plans as necessary. Other functions include using necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, implementing established program or curriculum objectives, establishing and implementing classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct, conferring with students, parents or guardians, specialists and other staff, establishing classroom goals and objectives, directing the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel, collecting and interpreting a variety of data, developing, implementing and evaluating individual education plans (IEP's), attending or participating in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the District and/or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement.

Reporting relationships include reporting to the building Principal. Required knowledge, skills and abilities include knowledge of subject areas appropriate to assignment, effective behavior management techniques, effective instructional techniques, rules and procedures for student safety, rules and regulations governing special education; skill in proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications, effective communication with parents or guardians in a culturally, racially and economically diverse community, designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement;

ability to deal with students in a positive and confident manner, be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population, adapt to change and remain flexible, organize activities, manage student behavior, use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment, provide instruction and demonstrate techniques, use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software, direct assistants, in some positions, administer first aid and CPR, in some positions, use non-a mal or non-verbal means of communication such as sign language, in some positions, use non-visual instructional techniques such as Braille, in some positions, deal with specific physical or emotional disabilities and associated conditions, such as, severe behavior disorder, attend to various physical and hygienic needs, establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, specialists, staff and administrators.

Working conditions include dealing with a wide range of student achievement and behavior, dealing with a range of student disabilities, handling multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritizing, experiencing frequent interruptions, dealing with distraught or difficult students, being potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students, being potentially exposed to student bodily fluids and serious infectious diseases carried by students, in some positions the necessary and appropriate instructional methods may require specific positions and movements, and sufficient stamina and exertions, to demonstrate techniques properly for student safety, or to conduct or direct students, in some positions precautions may need to be taken to prevent or lessen exposure of self and/or students to various materials, fumes, equipment, cutting edges or hot surfaces, may be required in some positions to move, position, or lift students or their special equipment, to restrain students to attend to the personal hygiene of students, or to accompany students outdoors in inclement weather, may teach in a classroom without telephone communication.

Typical qualifications include a Bachelor's degree; academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population in an urban school system, and teaching reading and adapting instructional techniques and practices for special education students. Specific programs may require additional academic preparation or professional experience, including; working with bilingual…