Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Mars Campus - Mars, PA 16046

Job Description

Provides an educational atmosphere that supports the intellectual, emotional, physical, and emotional growth of students in grades 1st through 12th. Responsible for designing and implementing curriculum, lesson plans and instruction that result in academic success in alignment with Longmore Academy's goals and the mission of MHY. Ensures the physical and emotional well-being of students through positive direction and role-modeling, and otherwise contributes to an effective and positive school environment by performing the following duties.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

• Implements weekly lesson plans and instructional activities that support an environment in which students are engaged in meaningful learning experiences.
• Identifies, assesses, and changes instructional resources in response to diverse student needs, backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs.
• Manages a caseload of Special Education students, compiles, and documents progress monitoring, develops and revises IEP's, facilitates IEP meetings, implements IEP and 504 plans.
• Supervises students at all times while in the classroom, as well as during arrival, dismissal, and breaks or lunches.
• Maintains effective and efficient records and associated procedures, including those related to student grades, attendance, discipline, etc.
• Assists in assessing and designing revised curriculum in response to changing curricular needs.
• Documents critical incidents and informs supervisor and the Principal of the same.
• Communicates with the Principal, Special Education Coordinator, teachers, paraprofessionals, and students' parents as required regarding student academic, behavioral or emotional needs or progress.
• Demonstrates advances in student academic and behavioral performance.
• Provides appropriate de-escalation responses to students as necessary, and leads others in following appropriate response methods.
• Supports all students' academic and behavioral goals, and works with them to attain goals.
• Participates in team meetings, professional development, in-services and other MHY meetings as necessary.
• Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and the community.

Supervisory responsibilities

This position may at times have supervisory responsibilities of Paraprofessionals.

Qualifications

Education and/or experience

Bachelor's degree in a related field of study strongly preferred; a minimum of one year of prior related experience in classroom management and instruction of junior and/or senior high school students required; or equivalent combination of education and experience. PA state teaching certification required. Must be 21 years of age with current Act 33/34 and FBI Clearances. Current PA state driver's license with an insurable driving record required. Must possess demonstrated PC skills including common MS Office applications. Additional training or licensing as required by regulations, or as deemed necessary by the Executive Director or Director.

Other qualifications

Mathematical skills

Ability to apply concepts of basic math principles. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, and percentages, and exceed the math aptitude than the level of the class being taught.

Communication skills

Ability to adjust the presentation of information to diverse audiences. Ability to read and comprehend simple to moderately complex instructions, educational materials, general correspondence, and memos. Possesses excellent interpersonal skills, including a professional and responsive customer service approach. Welcomes input regarding work-related activities. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, supervisors and other employees. Recognizes appropriate parameters of confidential information.

Strategic planning

Ability to apply common sense understanding to effectively carry out written or oral instructions in an expedient manner. Capable of recognizing critical events or needs and adjusting priorities and deadlines accordingly. Ability to deal with and analyze problems involving several concrete variables in and aside from standardized situations. Promotes the attitudes, conditions and environments that yield increased quality and content of individual and team performance.

Adaptability

Capable of effectively adjusting and coping with change and uncertainty in new situations and environments. Maintains accuracy and focus on detail in difficult situations. Ability to manage multiple tasks and modify objectives as needed. Seeks feedback and is open to coaching and criticism without being defensive.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, walk, and use hands to handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally, up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to handle volatile situations with residents, which may include restraining an individual.