Mercer Int'l Middle School - Special Education Teacher (Resource - ELA & Study Skills) - 1.0 FTE

Special Education Classroom Teacher

This position is assigned to the Resource service pathway. A Language Arts endorsement is strongly preferred. A Special Education endorsement is required. 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, evaluates student performance and progress.

40% Fosters an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned special education students; plans an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs; prepares individual student lesson plans; adapts and modifies programs and plans as necessary. 15% Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the students and to the nature of the learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved;

implements established program or curriculum objectives as adapted and modified for the student population; attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for special education instruction. 10% Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct; provides guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct;

makes referrals for assistance where appropriate. 5% Confers with students, parents or guardians, specialists and other staff: maintaining an open positive relationship as appropriate to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage student achievement. 10% Establishes classroom goals and objectives appropriate to the special education student population and their individual education programs, following the rules and regulations governing special education, and in conformance with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines;

evaluates and records student progress; prepares reports for parents or guardians. 5% Directs the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel; attends to or directs staff to attend to the physical, emotional, behavioral, medical, or hygienic needs of students as appropriate; monitors conditions and behaviors. 10% Collects and interprets a variety of data; develops, implements and evaluates individual education plans (IEP's); provides reports for administrative purposes;

amends documents where appropriate. 5% Attends or participates 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.

Other functions include serving on staff committees as required, participating in a variety of activities to enhance personal and professional skills, performing related tasks consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position, and attending at least one of two annual Special Education Compliance Professional Development days.

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, and rules and regulations governing special education. Skills include 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, and adapting curricula and programs to meet the intellectual, social, physical and emotional needs of a population of special education students.

Abilities include dealing with students in a positive and confident manner, being fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population, adapting to change and remaining flexible, organizing activities, managing student behavior, using good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment, providing instruction and demonstrating techniques, using necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software, directing assistants, administering first aid and CPR, using non-a mal or non-verbal means of communication such as sign language, using non-visual instructional techniques such as Braille, dealing with specific physical or emotional disabilities and associated…