SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor Degree with a field of study or degree emphasis in Special Education. Must have an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate. 

REPORTS TO: Principal and Special Services Director

JOB SUMMARY: The Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives, and functions as IEP Manager to assigned students. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Planning and developing lesson plans consistent with approved program curriculum.
• Presenting complex materials and concepts in an understandable and grade appropriate manner.
• Developing assessment tools, assessing and evaluating student performance and needs.
• Leading group processes/discussions, utilizing a variety of instruction aids and technologies. 
• Writing reports, lesson plans, learning objectives, tests, and assisting in writing and reviewing curriculum using and applying professional/technical concepts, principles and terminology. 
• Dealing effectively and appropriately with parents, students, staff and other educational professionals over instructional needs, concerns or problems of the student and district.
• Dealing with children, staff, parents, administrators and other educational professionals over parenting issues and concerns. Interactions require persuasion, instruction and working with others to gain cooperation and understanding of educational issues/needs. 
• Advising and making recommendations to district administrators or committees concerning family education and parenting needs in curriculum and learning approaches. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of child development theories and development stages and needs. 
• Knowledge of current trends, theories and technologies pertaining to learning and instruction.
• Knowledge of assessment procedures and techniques, test construction and evaluation methods.
• Skilled in administering, scoring and interpreting special education assessment tools and procedures.
• Knowledge of instructional strategies, techniques and interventions related to job assignment.
• Understanding of basic office equipment and software used by the district in maintaining records and files (i.e. word processing software, student record databases).
• Knowledge of instructional technologies and software, equipment, tools and devices used presenting instruction, documenting assessments, student progress or other classroom administrative requirements of the district.
• The skill and ability to communicate - both orally and in writing.
• Current knowledge of special education laws, rules and regulations and District policies and procedures, and the ability to apply these to help insure District compliance.
• Knowledge of teaching principles, practices, techniques and approaches. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, with a strong sense of discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff and parents, with a compassionate and approachable personality.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 

Regular classroom/school environment, including frequent use of electronic email, being able to sit for long periods of time without a break, etc. Normal effort of occasional periods of moderate physical activity. Work is typically performed in an office environment with some travel to other campuses. Interruptions are expected to occur often. Must be able to adapt and respond quickly to constantly changing technology. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects in the performance of the job.