Special Education Teacher - Jr. High

• Grades 5 - 8 
• PEL Required with LBS1 endorsement
• Salary and benefits based on PGTA contract
• 2024-2025 School year, August 16, 2024

School District Job Description

Position Title: Teacher, Special Education

Department: Student Services

Reports To: Director of Student Services, Building Principal

Contract: 180 Days

Compensation: As Determined by the Professional Negotiated Agreement between the PGTA and BOE

SUMMARY: To effectively incorporate specific instructional practices as a means to insure that all students learn subject matter and/or skills that are specifically outlined in students’ Individual Education Plans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assess academic skills of referred students through appropriate testing and diagnostic practices.
• Provide initial interventions/assistance through consultation with classroom teachers when student concerns arise.
• Provide Instructional interventions for any learning and/or behavioral concern as a result of the referral process.
• Participate in eligibility determination meeting for any referred student recommended for a case study evaluation.
• Provide written formal reports as a means to reflect assessment data for eligibility meetings. 
• Develop of individualized education plans and appropriate academic goals based on identified needs as derived from assessment data. 
• Monitor student performance as required with quantitative data collection as indicated on student individualized education plans.
• Confer with teachers and parents as needed to support student performance.
• Assist with student behavior issues pending consultation with building administration.
• Provide guidance to co-curricular instructors on integration techniques for identified students.
• Provide copies of IEPS to homeroom teachers and updated accommodations to all related staff upon annual reviews.

• Meet and instruct students at scheduled times and locations.
• Displays appropriate knowledge of subject matter and district curriculum in core content areas. 
• Works closely with general education staff to incorporate proper scope and sequence into IEP plans as much as possible. 
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• Prepares for classes assigned, and shows evidence of preparation upon request of immediate superior.
• Employs instructional methods and materials that are most appropriate for meeting the needs of all students and the stated objectives.
• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and communicates the result of these assessments to administration and parents through quarterly progress reports.
• Strives to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.
• Works in a cooperative and collaborative manner with all staff to provide instructional opportunities for all students.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.

• Demonstrates collaborative problem solving.
• Communicates in an effective, constructive, and positive manner with staff, students, and parents.
• Interacts positively and effectively with school personnel, including administrators, other teaching staff, and clerical personnel in order to be an effective team member.
• Is able to be flexible and work across educational environments.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise students within the classroom and in all other areas of the school grounds (hallway, bathroom, playground, etc.).

Supervises student teachers in special education when assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Special Education

Appropriate State of Illinois Teaching Certification with proper endorsements for area of employment

Other qualifications as dictated by the Illinois State Board of Education

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to the building principal, assistant principal, colleagues, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to work with students who have been identified as having minor to moderately to severely handicapping disabilities.  Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

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 reach with hands and arms.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands or fingers, to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and or push/pull up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in some vocational settings. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. The employee may be directly responsible for the safety, wellbeing, and work output of students.

EVALUATION:  Performance of this position will be evaluated per the District’s evaluation plan in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy and state requirements for evaluation of certified personnel.

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 performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional may be assigned.