Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Title: Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Reports To: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary: The Early Childhood Special Education Teacher provides specialized instruction and support to young children with disabilities in an inclusive or specialized early childhood setting. The teacher assists in the development and implementation of individualized educational programs (IEPs), designs developmentally appropriate learning experiences, and uses evidence-based strategies to address students' academic, communication, social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Assesses students and participates in eligibility determination meetings

2. Develops Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) designed to meet the educational needs, interests, and abilities of students

3. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of IEP goals and designs lesson plans with clear objectives that are measurable, attainable, realistic, and specific

4. Monitors individual student progress utilizing data that reflects student performance on his or her IEP goals; adjusts instruction as needed based on analysis of data

5. Maintains accurate and complete records as required by the school division

6. Collaborates with other teachers and facilitates the integration of students into general education classes; monitors student progress and the overall effectiveness of the integration models

7. Attends and participates in staff meetings and makes provision for professional growth through an ongoing program of reading, conferences, and keeping abreast of current state regulations for special education

8. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for the paraprofessional and evaluates their performance

9. Selects appropriate materials geared toward the performance level of students

10. Refers students who are in need of related services to other specialists

11. Understands and relates to students with special needs assuring the proper implementation of educational programs including designing and implementing appropriate behavior management techniques for use in instructional and disciplinary purposes

12. Writes and implements effective behavior plans based on data from functional behavioral assessments

13. Establishes and maintains a cooperative and effective working relationship with parents, general education teachers, and other service providers or agencies

14. Demonstrates knowledge of special education laws as well as division policies and procedures

15. Establishes and maintains a safe, orderly, and child centered classroom environment

16. Maintains positive public relations at all times

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES

Supervises assigned paraprofessional staff

QUALIFICATIONS

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

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teaching assignment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Must be familiar with early childhood developmental stages (social/emotional, expressive/receptive language, fine/gross motor skills) and provide students with specialized instruction based on their unique needs resulting from their identified disabilities. Must have knowledge of current laws and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities and policies and procedures pertaining to IEPs.
Must be able to implement all areas of special education including: behavior management techniques, learning theories, curriculum and vocational development, current practices pertaining to students with disabilities, and use and apply appropriate assessments. Must exercise initiative and possess mature judgment, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and facilitate problem solving with diverse groups of educators.

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 accommodation 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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Ten-month employment. Salary Range: $55,000 to $85,250.

EVALUATION

Performance of the position will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the Prince Edward County School Board's policy on evaluation of professional personnel.