DEFINITION
The Special Education Teacher identifies needs of special education students in relation to grade level objectives, applies a program of instruction consistent with student learning needs and curriculum objectives as outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP), uses appropriate teaching strategies and instructional materials, and assesses student progress. Creates and manages a classroom environment conducive to student learning, trains and assists regular classroom teachers in techniques appropriate for teaching students with special needs, and also communicate regularly with parents regarding their student’s academic and social progress.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify student knowledge and skills upon school entrance with pretesting and reviewing prior IEPs and achievement records.
• Identify specific student learning outcomes to be attained in relation to student learning needs and IEP objectives through data collection and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Determine a sequence of learning experiences, utilizing District adopted instructional materials and appropriate supplementary materials.
• Develop and utilize written plans, that will include long-term and daily/weekly lesson plans, as the basis of instruction.
• Apply appropriate teaching strategies consistent with best practices, student needs, selected curriculum, and time allocations.
• Make appropriate accommodations for student physical, educational or behavioral disabilities.
• Train assigned instructional assistants and make effective use of their services.
• Assist in training regular education teachers regarding successful integration of special needs student into their classes and activities; assist with modification of activities if needed.
• Consult and collaborate with regular education staff, support staff, and administration regarding strategies for student success.
• Provide assistance to special education students in regular education classes when appropriate.
• Develop and communicate to students and parents the expectations regarding student behavior and related consequences.
• Coordinate other services to the student as needed, including but not limited to speech therapy, adapted physical education, occupational therapy.
• Schedule annual IEP meetings, or more frequently if needed, coordinating attendance by staff, parents and other applicable agencies.
• Make appropriate use of instructional time; maintain an appropriate physical environment and appropriate individual, class, and program records.
• Communicate regularly to parents regarding student progress, utilizing means such as parent-teacher conferences, telephone calls, and written documents.
• Receive parent requests for information and assistance and respond through conferences, telephone conversations, and written communications.
• Encourage parents to provide in-home support.
• Improve teaching effectiveness by responding to performance evaluation recommendations and participating in required school and district sponsored in-service activities.
• Meet the health care needs of Special Education students by providing toileting and/or personal hygiene assistance.

Other Related Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience:

• Successful experience in working with students with disabilities.

Knowledge of:

• Learning disabilities and appropriate techniques for teaching students with learning and behavior problems.
• Curriculum that is appropriate and effective for student achievement.
• Effective classroom management techniques.
• Laws and regulations governing special education.
• Applicable sections of State Education Code and other applicable state publications, such as curriculum frameworks.
• Technology and computer software applications relative to special education services, including database and scheduling programs.
• Curriculum, instruction, and assessment processes and how they should operate in an effective school.
• California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Ability to:

• Stimulate and motivate students to learn.
• Assess student needs and write appropriate IEP objectives.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with students, school personnel, parents, co-workers, and the public.
• Communicate effectively in the English language both orally and in writing.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Work independently with appropriate direction.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Learn and use technology and computer software applications as appropriate to the work environment.
• Use tact, patience, and courtesy when dealing with people.   
• Possess a California driver’s license and be insurable.

Desirable:

• Willingness to continue to seek professional development and apply new learning by providing professional development to all employees.

Physical Effort and Work Environment

• Physical, mental, and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
• Mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions
• Manual dexterity sufficient to write, use the telephone, computer, calculator, and office machines at required speed and accuracy
• Vision sufficient to read handwritten and printed materials, and the display screen of various office equipment and machines
• Hearing sufficient to communicate in person and hold telephone conversations in normal range (approximately 60 decibels)
• Speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distances on the telephone and addressing groups
• Physical agility to sit, stand, kneel, walk, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, and to reach overhead
• Physical stamina sufficient to sustain light physical labor for up to 8 hours, sit and/or walk for prolonged periods of time
• Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment (office, district, school site to site) for sustained periods of time on hard flooring, climb slopes, stairs, ramps, and to respond to emergency situations
• Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 40 pounds of materials or supplies; occasionally lift 80 or more pounds with assistance
• Occasionally push and/or pull a variety of tools, equipment, or objects weighing 80 or more pounds
• Typically indoor work environment.