Middle School Special Education Teacher

Teacher Position

FTE: 1.0 Calendar: 188

PURPOSE To lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, social, and psychological growth and maturation.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES The overall responsibility of this position has several components: plans and implements an instructional program that meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of students, consistent with the District's approved curriculum and teaching methodology; guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals, and in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects by establishing and maintaining classroom lesson plans as well as substitute lesson plans. This includes the instruction of students through lecture, demonstration, discussions, projects, practical activities, experiments, assignments, excursions, taking into account the differences in individual students; adaptation of teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; and remaining current with researched based teaching methodology and implementing such where appropriate in the classroom setting. The teacher is responsible for creating a purposeful learning environment that is appropriate to the maturity and interest of students; organization of classroom materials such as handouts, audio-visuals and computer related lessons; organization of desks, bulletin boards, and student work areas; setting positive examples for students and colleagues. The teacher assesses the accomplishments of students on a formal and informal basis and provides progress reports as required; assigns related homework; develops and administers formal and informal testing to ascertain student progress; grades homework and informal and formal testing of student progress; and administers individual and group standardized testing activities as required by the District and State of Idaho. To aid in the evaluation of student needs, the teacher serves as a member of the Building Study Team in diagnosing specific learning needs of students and prescribing special programming, identifying the educational, social and developmental needs of students, and participating in Special Education or related team meetings as requested. Through communication and collaboration with colleagues, students and parent/guardians on a regular basis, the teacher actively listens in order to address needs of students, is patient in dealing with students with differing abilities, cultures, etc., and participates in parent-teacher conferences, making oneself available to communicate with parents/guardians regarding student related issues. In supervising students, the teacher assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations and Board Policy; establishes rules for classroom discipline; observes student conduct and maintains classroom order and discipline; addresses observed inappropriate student conduct both within the classroom and in other school settings; and will confer with parents, guardians, other teachers, counselors and administrators in order to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems. In addition, this position plans and supervises teacher aides and volunteers as assigned. The maintenance of accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation includes student attendance records, progress records, and records of classroom materials, supplies and textbooks. The teacher takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities and is responsible for the knowledge of school evacuation procedures and lock-down procedures and the ability to implement those procedures independently in emergency situations. This position reports to the principal, may supervise assigned classroom aides and volunteers, and performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others: contribute to the development of a positive school climate;
• Accept a share of responsibility for co-curricular activities as assigned;
• Abide by the Code of Ethics for the Teaching Profession as established by the Idaho State Board of Education, the Board Policies and procedures of the District and the terms and provisions of the Standard Teachers' Contract;
• Comply with the requirements of Idaho Code with regard to teacher conduct, including but not limited to the manner in which suspected instances of child abuse or suspected student suicidal tendencies are addressed;
• Adhere to confidentiality with regard to student information;
• Attend faculty meeting and conferences as directed by the Building Principal and participation in in-services activities and other professional growth opportunities;
• Establish and maintain good working habits including punctuality;
• Implement the beliefs, mission statement, objectives and parameters of the District's strategic plan.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proper certification, as required by the State of Idaho, for position to which the teacher is assigned;
• Approval as a finalist through the district's screening process;
• Capable of accomplishing identified Performance Responsibilities;
• Must be able to communicate proficiently in English including both verbal and written communication with adults and students;
• Ability to read and understand work related materials;
• Ability to speak and communicate clearly in lessons to students as well as communications with peers, supervisors, patrons, and parents/guardians;
• Able to accomplish simple mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division;
• Ability to observe and monitor student activities and conduct throughout the instructional day.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal conversation and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work and assessments, prepare and review documents, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and balance, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment, lifting or moving objects that weigh up to 25 lbs.;
• Job tasks require, with or without reasonable accommodation, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, and grasping;
• Must have a valid Idaho Driver's license and a vehicle to drive and/or must provide own transportation for job related activities.

EVALUATION Yearly by supervisor

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT To be determined by calendar year. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job

As per Idaho Code 65-5-1/65-503: "Eligible veterans are provided advantages in public employment in Idaho…"