Special Education Teacher

Job Goal: To help students with disabilities learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able and responsible men and women by Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Supervision: Reports to the Building Principal and the Director of Student Services Education, Work Experience, and Licensure: Required: Bachelor's Degree DESE License as a Special Education Teacher, moderate disabilities (Gr. 5-12). Acceptable C.O.R.I., SORI, DCF and Fingerprint report as determined by the Superintendent. Preferred: Master's Degree Prior work experience as a Special Education Teacher Dual Licensure Competency in the use of current related educational technology Performance Responsibilities: - Champion the district's effort to effectively and successfully serve all students. - Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students. - Analyze data, share and use data to inform instruction to support student needs, interests, and the abilities of the students. - Knowledge of a variety of academic strategies and differentiating instruction. - Commitment to curriculum, instruction, and assessment with fidelity of implementation. - Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of student - Provides specialized instruction for students with disabilities consistent with state and federal regulations. - Coordinates and supervises work experience and job-training programs involving students with special needs. - Works cooperatively with classroom teachers, interpreting the abilities and disabilities of students to the entire staff and assisting the student with modification of regular class assignments. - Strong behavioral management skills. - Supporting social/emotional and behavioral skills development. - Confers frequently with caregivers and professional staff members regarding the educational, social, and personal problems of such students. - Assists other professional staff members in resolving the unique psychological or disciplinary problems of each student. - Assists in screening, evaluating, and recommending placements of students in the school's Special Education programs. - Counsels individuals and groups of students with educational, occupational, and personal problems. - Assists students in making realistic assessments of their abilities and in establishing educational and occupational goals in keeping with these abilities. - Provides motivation to all students. - Oversees tutors and paraprofessionals as designated by the Principal or the Superintendent. - Completes and maintains records and documentation pertinent to the Special Education program as required by state and federal special education regulations. - Participates in transition planning and preparation for adult life experiences. - Takes responsibility for professional growth and development. - As part of the pre-referral process, provides specialized instruction to general education students. - Adapts curriculum and teaching strategies and methods as appropriate to meet the individual social, emotional, and intellectual needs of assigned students in special and general education settings. - Conducts educational evaluations and writes comprehensive reports on referred students. - Interprets educational test results and makes recommendations on how best to meet the educational needs of a student to school personnel, other concerned professionals, parents, and, as appropriate, the students. - Participates in case conferences, special education team meetings, and faculty meetings on a before or after school basis when assigned. - Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment. - Selects and requests books and instructional aides appropriate to the ability, interest, and maturity level of students; maintains required inventory records. - Identifies student needs and works with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems. - Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical capacity of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved. - Communicates with parents and school personnel on student progress. - Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports, updated IEP goals and objectives. - Engages in ongoing curriculum development activities as part of the district's goal of maintaining a contemporary instructional program. - Develops lesson plans based on the state standards and the appropriate instruction methodology. - Administers and monitors group tests. - Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. - Participates on faculty committees as assigned. - Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the school and/or through self-selected professional growth activities. - Compiles case history data on students for whom additional family history, health history, early developmental history, and environmental history are deemed appropriate per state regulations. - Complies with district, state, and federal policies and regulations, which includes meeting deadlines for written documents. - Evaluates students' academic and social progress, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports. - Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, school policy, and administrative procedures. - Acts as a Mandated Reporter (Chapter 119, Section 51A). - Complies with the Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Policy. - Any other duties may be assigned by the Superintendent.