Special Education CLS Teacher Standard

Special Education Teacher – Overview

Under the general supervision of an administrator, a special education teacher will be assigned a caseload and will implement school board policy regarding the educational curriculum of a particular instructional division and/or instructional unit.

• Administer appropriate district curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards and consistent with IEP instructions as needed.
• Design and implement the components of an effective lesson for instruction and student assessments aligned with Common Core State Standards.
• Design coherent, differentiated instruction and student assessments aligned with Common Core State Standards at the appropriate instructional level for the student.
• Provide appropriate instructions, modifications, adaptations, and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP) in an organized, systematic, and meaningful manner.
• Analyze student progress and ensure assessment regulations and guidelines are followed at all times.
• Demonstrate mastery of content and pedagogy, knowledge of students and resources, typical developmental patterns of students, and characteristics of students with disabilities.
• Set instructional outcomes for diverse learners.

• Creates an environment of respect and rapport while developing a climate that promotes positive learning conditions.
• Maintains a positive, orderly, safe, accessible and academically focused learning, resource‑rich environment.
• Manages classroom procedures and student behavior.
• Demonstrates cultural competency.

• Communicates learning expectations to students.
• Engages students in learning.
• Utilizes discussion and questioning techniques.
• Embeds assessment in instruction.
• Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness.
• Demonstrates familiarity with Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support.
• Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and accommodations to assist students with disabilities to access curriculum.
• Coordinates effectively with other service staff in providing student instruction.

• Maintains accurate records and IEPs as mandated by state and federal guidelines, within established timelines.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct.
• Supports, communicates and works professionally with administrators, staff and community and follows all protocols consistent with WCSD procedures.
• Makes a focused effort to promote meaningful participation of parents in the IEP process.
• Reflects on teaching.
• Participates in a professional community.
• Participates in other job‑related duties and activities related to the position as assigned.
• Works as part of an education/assessment team responsible for identifying, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating individual objectives for assigned students.

Special education teachers may be assigned as Resource Special Education teachers or to specialized programs that provide additional supports. Below are descriptions of the programs and associated responsibilities.

The Early Childhood Special Education Program provides services to three, four and five year olds with disabilities. The teacher provides instruction in a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses all areas of child development including literacy and math readiness skills, gross and fine motor skills, self‑help skills, communication skills, and social skills. The classroom also offers multiple opportunities to develop skills in cognition, receptive and expressive language, and social/emotional development.

(Job Code: 0726)

The SPED Early Childhood SIP Teacher provides instruction in developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses all areas of child development including literacy and math readiness skills, gross and fine motor skills, self‑help skills, communication skills, and social skills. The program focuses primarily on social emotional development and serves students with behavioral challenges in a small group setting. (Job Code: 0725)

The SPED Early Childhood Strategies Teacher focuses on the development of…