Special Education Teacher

POSITION: Special Education Teacher

NATURE OF WORK:

This is a professional position to meet the individual needs of students through direct service and consultative support to staff and families to support progress in the General Education Curriculum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ability to professionally relate to and collaborate with co-workers, students and community members
• Ability to understand and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to use technology effectively to complete tasks
• Ability to report to work daily and on time
• Possess knowledge of the programs, policies, and procedures of the St. Mary’s County Public School System
• Ability to organize, supervise, coordinate and establish priorities of tasks to be completed
• Ability to work independently in the absence of detailed instructions and to follow complex oral and/or written instructions
• Ability to communicate orally or in writing, courteously and tactfully, with staff, students, parents, and the community in a timely manner
• Possess excellent time management skills and ability to take initiative and make decisions within assigned responsibility in a challenging, fast-paced professional environment and be flexible in work responsibilities and hours
• Possess knowledge of IDEA disabilities and how they can impact academic achievement and behavior
• Possess knowledge of how disabilities may manifest themselves in the classroom
• Possess knowledge of grade level curriculum and classroom expectations
• Ability to maintain required CPI certifications, as appropriate

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Completes standardized assessments and formal reports for IEP teams to review
• Develops IEP goals and objectives based on present levels of performance, formative and summative assessment information
• Collaborates with general educators to disseminate information about student needs to determine what differentiation strategies to use in each lesson
• Utilizes assessment data to determine instructional/behavioral strategies
• Performs frequent formal and informal assessments to monitor instructional and IEP objectives
• Considers modifications and the scaffolding necessary for each student to access the grade level curriculum
• Communicates positively with families on student progress
• Collaborates with general educators to develop lessons and assessments for students with disabilities
• Collaborates in a variety of co-teaching arrangements to support students
• Implements small group programs using established SMCPS interventions
• Ensures that all IEPs/IFSPs are implemented appropriately
• Ensures that all Behavior Intervention Plans and behavior protocols are implemented with fidelity
• Implements student adaptive behavior supports including, when necessary, self-care and hygiene routines (e.g., toileting feeding, etc.)
• Collaborates with general educators to ensure students have access to grade level curriculum
• Provides positive communication to team members and families about student progress and achievement
• Acts as a central point of contact for families and team members regarding student progress
• Communicate student needs in a timely fashion to the IEP Chairperson
• Collects, analyzes, and reports data to monitor progress, determine and report present levels of performance and to develop appropriate goals and objectives
• Selects and administers a variety of standardized and non-standardized assessment tools with fidelity
• Completes, maintains, and submits Medical Assistance logs in an ongoing and timely fashion as directed by the Department of Special Education
• Manages short and long-term deadlines related to State and Federal compliance indicators
• Participates in targeted professional development and implement strategies in classroom and school settings
• Collects, analyzes, and synthesizes instructional assessment data through all established SMCPS platforms and Maryland Online IEP tools
• Attends required professional development and implement targeted strategies in the school and community setting
• Participates in professional team and department meetings
• Provides supervision and direction to assigned support staff
• Supports and implements the administration of all required Local and State assessments as determined by the IEP Team and school administration
• Prepares and submits all required Extended School Year materials as determined by the IEP Team
• Interface with SMCPS established online instructional and student performance platforms
• Supports the use of student equipment and tools including assistive technology plan for whole group, small group and individualized instruction throughout the school day and with a variety of staff.
• Selects and administers a variety of standardized and non-standardized assessment tools with fidelity
• Develops and monitors IEP goals and objectives based on assessment and data information
• Monitors and reports progress on goals and objectives
• Delivers specialized instruction in reading, math, written language, organization and behavior management
• Assesses and evaluates students to determine initial and continued eligibility
• Analyzes data to make instructional decisions
• Communicates effectively in writing through student assessment reports and online IEP documents
• Performs other related and nonrelated job duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred:

• Eligibility for professional certification/licensure of the appropriate grade and or content

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:

Full-time, ten-month position