Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher

The posting

Classification: Certified Location: Assigned School

Reports to: School Principal FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Teacher (182 working days)

Position Summary:

The special education teacher is primarily responsible for effective teaching and learning of the assigned subject(s) following district approved curriculum, instruction and assessment practices. As a special education teacher, teacher may teach in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational settings to include but not limited to Life Skills, Behavior Development, Structured Communications, and Learning Resource/Support. Primary responsibility shall include student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare.

Supervision:

The teacher works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator. Teacher may also receive direction and/or supervision from a district special education administrator. The teacher’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of Taos Municipal Schools district policies and procedures, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The teacher plans for student success based on assessed needs of individuals students and the use of data and information to determine each student’s current knowledge of skill level, set student learning goals, and assess student progress. In assessing student needs, the teacher applies or uses district approved assessment tools and strategies. As part of the planning process, the teacher leads or assists in identifying and in complying with teaching and learning and student accommodation requirements under Individual Education Program (IEP) and 504 accommodation requirements.
2. The teacher works collaboratively in a professional learning community with other teachers, support staff, multi-disciplinary teams, and others as appropriate, in addressing the needs of the students, developing effective teaching and learning practices.
3. The teacher regularly conducts planning for lessons using commonly accepted professional practice (content, goals, assessment, re-teaching, etc.) and consistent with school/district approved curriculum and instructional practice. The teacher uses research-based instructional strategies in planning lessons to make the teaching and learning more relevant to students (e.g., contextual learning opportunities).
4. The teacher maintains and provides reasonable and meaningful student grading and evaluation consistent with school district policy and regularly and effectively communicates such information to students and parents. Reporting may include regular posting to and maintenance of electronic grade systems with parent and student access.
5. The teacher integrates district approved and/or required technology into planning, learning, progress reporting, and required record-keeping activities including the preparation of IEP’s in case of students with special needs.
6. The teacher creates, communicates, and maintains classroom management practices that effectively engage students in the learning process. Acceptable student behavior and related discipline procedures are well understood by students and consistently enforced to maintain a positive learning environment.
7. The teacher actively participates in faculty and grade level or department, and curriculum meetings; assists building efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate the school’s program and to do related work as required. In carrying out these responsibilities, the teacher applies school policy and procedures, standard practices, state requirements, and approved curriculum, and actively and positively supports the school vision.
8. The teacher is constantly observant of the needs and challenges of students and promptly engages an administrator or appropriate educational staff associates when the teacher suspects or reasonably believes that a student is at risk or in danger due to such issues as bullying, sexual harassment/misconduct, depression or suicide ideation, or academic failure. The teacher serves as a positive role model for students and practices and behaviors that are expected of students.
9. The teacher assists in the supervision of students at school activities and events. The teacher remains vigilant of students throughout the school day and the school location, taking the initiative to engage students when students are acting inappropriately or in an inappropriate location for the time of day. Teachers understand the nature of student misbehavior to include student-to-student bullying, harassment, and/or discrimination and takes steps to intervene in such situations and/or engage the assistance of a school administrator.
10. The teacher plans time for reflection on professional practice to establish a professional growth plan and annually reviews the plan and progress with the administrator.
11. Required to follow board policies and procedures and stay abreast of updates and changes.
12. Performs all other duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelors and/or Master’s degree
2. Valid teaching certification issued by NM PED
3. Demonstrated knowledge for subjects/levels being taught.
4. Ability to effectively communicate with parents. Students. And staff verbally and in writing.

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

• The physical demand and work environment 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.
• The employee must lift and/or move 50 to 100 pounds, and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, lift, carry, move about, hear, and speak. Teacher may require performing extensive work at a computer display terminal.
• May be required to break up fights
• While performing the duties of this job, the teacher may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals commonly used in instruction and/or cleaning. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during their duties. The teacher may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students.
• The teacher may be exposed to bodily fluids and waste while performing duties in life skills, multi-handicapped, and some one-on-one situations.
• The teacher may be required to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are preformed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.