Job Description:

The Special Education Teacher will collaborate with the principal, general education classroom teachers, related services staff, school psychologist, parents, paraprofessionals, and district personnel to facilitate the development of a comprehensive individualized education program that will support students in the least restrictive environment.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Learner and Learning:  The Teacher…..

• Understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• Works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content:  The Teacher……

• Understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to ensure mastery of the content.
• Understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practice:  The Teacher…..

• Understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learning progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision-making.
• Plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies (including technology) to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Professional Responsibility:  The Teacher…..

• Engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
• Seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Individualized Education Program (IEP):  The Teacher…..

• Demonstrates knowledge of disabilities and their educational implications.
• Demonstrates knowledge of state and federal special education laws, rules, and regulations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to use a variety of assistive devices that support student learning.
• Applies specialized diagnostic and assessment procedures to assist in determining special education eligibility for areas of suspected disability.
• Assists in the design and implementation of individualized education programs through diagnostic teaching, instructional adaptations, and individual behavior management techniques.
• Utilizes paraprofessionals, and other support staff, effectively through training and supervision.
• Understands and uses effectively, the student data system, Synergy, to create compliant Annual, Amended, and Initial IEPs, supporting documents, and progress reports.
• Conducts compliant IEP meetings which include all significant Special Education Team members.
• Completes and sends original IEP paperwork to District Office in a timely manner.
• Creates and updates Service Records as instructed by district personnel that includes all students on caseload.
• Utilizes technology (e.g., IPADS, Kindles, Wiis, Intellitools, SMART boards, etc.) and approved instructional programs to enhance student learning.
• Maintains and inventories equipment in the classroom.

Supervisor

The Special Education Teacher reports directly to the Principal and the Director of Student Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Special Education Teacher supervises classroom employees, students, and volunteers.

Education and/or Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Arizona Special Education Certificate in the area(s) of instruction and disability from ADE

Every member of our Phoenix #1 family from our top leadership team to our bus drivers and nutrition team to our nurses and teachers and technology gurus and more, is shaping the lives of our students every day. It’s not just our work; it is our passion! We work hard to make sure you have the best care and resources to thrive both inside Phoenix #1 and outside. Visit our website at www.phxschools.org to learn more about our district, view the complete job description, and to apply online.