Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Reports To: Head of School

Supervisory: Yes - Exempt - Pay Type: Salaried

Compensation: Pay range: $52,000-$58,000/yr.

Benefits: For employees contracted for 30 hours per week or more, Thomas MacLaren School pays for 100% of the employee's base insurance premiums (Health, Dental, Vision, Long-term and Short-term disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, and Life insurance) for the base level coverages. No benefits are provided to employees contracted for less than 30 hours per week.

General Purpose: To oversee special education caseload to ensure access to the MacLaren curriculum for students with disabilities in a manner that meets professional standards while participating in the community of learners that is Thomas MacLaren School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

School Philosophy and Goals

• Plans and implements instructional programs and activities that further the school's goals.
• Contributes to the growth of Thomas MacLaren's community of learners.
• Believes that all students as human beings can know truth, create beauty and practice goodness.
• Manifests the sense of wonder and depth of inquiry that he/she is asked to inspire and direct in the students.

Professional Responsibility

• Strives for continued improvement and professional growth, in the context of the community of learners.
• Confers with parents, the Heads of School and other staff members as necessary regarding student progress.
• Uses oral and written English skillfully and correctly.
• Maintains accurate records of attendance and punctuality.
• Maintains accurate records of students' academic achievement.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Heads of School.

Instruction/Curriculum

• Attends mandatory Faculty Training Institute each summer.
• Works with a Lead/Master Teacher to learn curriculum and methodology of courses assigned.
• Assesses student skills to determine needs and to develop teaching strategies.
• Identifies students who need an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and develops the IEP for students
• Teaches and mentors students as a class, in small groups, and/or one-on-one.
• Monitors progress of students on an IEP towards student goals.
• Works with the Head of School to train general education teachers on how to implement IEPs.
• Demonstrates sound professional teaching and classroom management skills to facilitate learning.
• Maintains an appropriate and safe learning environment.

Teacher/Student Relationships

• Delivers Thomas MacLaren curriculum.
• Enforces school policies.
• Maintains discipline and good order in the classroom, in cooperation with the Dean of Boys and the Dean of Girls.
• Provides students with adequate feedback about their work in a timely manner according to Thomas MacLaren standards.
• Encourages students to strive for high achievement.
• Encourages and equips students to become the agents of their own education.
• Assists with Student Orientation and its implementation in the classroom.
• Acts as an effective monitor of students when on duty (before, during or after school, including the lunch recess).

Teacher/Parent Relationships

• Provides frequent and effective feedback concerning attainment of learning goals to parents.
• Initiates communication with parents.
• Encourages parents to visit the class.
• Participates in biannual parent-teacher evaluation conferences.

Teacher/Staff Relationships

• Communicates regularly with the Heads of School, Master Teachers and co-workers on all matters pertaining to assignments.
• Cooperates with other staff in sharing responsibilities and implementing group decisions.
• Works effectively on any faculty committee to which he/she is assigned (recruitment, field day, Student Orientation, etc.).
• Participates fully in the community of learners, e.g. prepares for and attends all Faculty Seminars; is engaged in the faculty room.

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. It is intended only to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Experience: Demonstrated ability to serve well as a Thomas MacLaren teacher

Must be a licensed Special Education Teacher in the state of Colorado

Other knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Love of educating children
• Love of learning
• Ability to impart a love of learning to young people
• Knowledge of and interest in a wide variety of writings and thought beyond one's own area of expertise
• Ability to maintain an orderly classroom
• Ability to guide students through organization and preparation of a term paper or research topic appropriate to field of study
• Ability to prepare and administer oral examinations
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with both young people and adults
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment
• Commitment to a diverse population of students and to closing the achievement gap

Physical Requirements of this position include:

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: - SELDOM - OCCASIONAL - FREQUENT

EXTREME COLD OR HEAT - x - VISUAL ACUITY: Near/Far - x

HEIGHTS - x - HEARING - x

NOISE - x - SPEECH - x

DRIVING - x - EYE/HAND COORDIN. - x

WALKING/Uneven Surfaces - x - TRAVEL:

WORKING ALONE - x - Local - x

WORK WITH OTHERS - x - National - x

MOVING HEAVY ITEMS: - SELDOM - OCCASIONAL - FREQUENT

OPERATING MACHINERY:

LIFTING/LOWERING - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb. - COMPUTER - x

LIFTING OVER SHOULDER - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb. - COPIER - x

REACHING OVER SHOULDER - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb. - MOUSE - x

CARRYING - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb. - TELEPHONE - x

PUSHING/PULLING - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb. - OTHER (please list)

PULLING - Over 30 lb - Over 20 lb - 0-20 lb.