Job Description
Job DescriptionPosition Overview
The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing instruction and support to students with disabilities in accordance with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. The Special Education Teacher collaborates with general education teachers, families, and related service providers to create a supportive and inclusive educational environment that promotes student success and independence. The Special Education Teacher works in self-contained, collaborative, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned and reports to the Principal and Director of Special Education.
Performance Responsibilities
- In collaboration with students, families, and other staff members, develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in compliance with federal, state, and district regulations; collaborate on all post re-evaluation IEPs; develop 3-year MET reports.
- Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
- Provide direct instruction in academic, social, behavioral, and life skills areas based on each student’s IEP.
- Use a variety of instructional strategies and assistive technologies to meet diverse learning needs as stated in IEPs; adapt and modify general education curriculum as needed.
- Assess student progress and maintain accurate records of assessments, services, and IEP goal progress.
- Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure accommodations and modifications are implemented effectively; serve as a resource to other staff regarding the needs of students; when case manager, provide appropriate sections of the IEP.
- Provide opportunities for students to explore life and career goals.
- Establish and maintain rapport with students; establish and maintain standards of behaviors for individual students, manage student behavior and administer discipline including behavior intervention according to the IEP.
- Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
- Access resource persons or specialists to provide guidance toward developing a plan when working with a student with unique needs.
- Maintain contact with families and other professional staff regarding student performance through activities such as family-teacher conferences, progress reports, letters, special education report cards, case management duties, and IEP Committee meetings.
- Provide or supervise personal care and hygiene of students as stated in the IEP.
- Plan and supervise purposeful instructional (non-clerical) assignments for teacher aide(s).
- Maintain professional development through such activities as classes, conferences, seminars, workshops, and professional journals; attend all staff development provided by district personnel regarding federal, state and local procedures for special education.
- Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible; ensure the confidentiality of information pertaining to special education students.
- Perform various administrative activities (e.g., attend campus faculty meetings, campus and district staff meetings, order equipment and supplies, copy materials, coordinate instructional department activities).
- Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; degree in education/related field preferred. Master’s degree preferred.
- Valid AZ teaching license/certification in Special Education or eligibility for AZ license required.
- Teaching experience, especially in special education, preferred.
- Valid Arizona Driver License.
- Fingerprint criminal justice clearance.
- Tuberculosis clearance.
Classification
This is a full-time, exempt 10-month position.