Middle School Special Education Teacher

A special education teacher works with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Their primary role is to adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with disabilities. Special education teachers assess students' progress, develop individualized education programs (IEPs), collaborate with parents and other professionals (like therapists and counselors), and ensure that students receive the appropriate accommodations and support needed to succeed academically and socially.

They also often work closely with aides and other support staff to implement these plans effectively in the classroom.

• Sets up classroom environment and materials conducive to student and IEP needs.
• Creates and implements daily schedule, based on students’ IEP’s.
• Creates and implements daily lesson plans and BIPS (as applicable), based on students’ IEP’s and IEP accommodations.
• Creates and organizes visual supports and other materials to ensure an effective learning environment.
• Supervises and trains classroom paraprofessionals.
• Supervises safe and efficient arrival and departure of ESY transportation.
• Supervises student safety and engages in positive reinforcement strategies to ensure a safe and productive learning environment.
• Oversees and maintains data collection and IEP progress reporting.
• Communicates and collaborates with ESY Site Supervisor(s) and all IEP team members to ensure effective implementation of ESY, as per IEP’s.
• Engages in daily communication with families and maintains availability to answer questions and troubleshoot concerns.
• Other responsibilities, as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution;
Licensure in Moderate Disabilities or Severe disabilities, All Levels with SEI Endorsement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of IEP implementation and special education processes.
• Effective leadership abilities in overseeing special education classroom staff and students receiving ESY services.
• Strong organizational skills pertaining to both paperwork and daily classroom oversight.
• Effective problem-solving abilities that include: teamwork and communication with all IEP staff and ESY Site Supervisor, troubleshooting day to day issues, and planning ahead to prevent issues.
• Effective and welcoming communication skills with families and community.
• Experience working with students with severe disabilities.
• At least one year of full-time teaching experience
• Familiarity with IEP process and reporting
• Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students
• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Skills in managing challenging student behaviors
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply