JOB TITLE:                                       Special Education Classroom Teacher
JOB SUMMARY:                           Position is responsible for creating a classroom environment favorable to learning and personal growth of every student; establishing effective rapport with students; motivating students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for becoming a responsible citizen in accordance with each pupil’s ability; and to establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members.
EMPLOYEE CATEGORY:             Certified

FLSA STATUS:                                ?Exempt       ?Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK:    Negotiated Agreement

WORK PERIOD:                             As defined in the Negotiated Agreement
REPORTS TO:                                 Principal, Special Education Director

WORKS WITH:                               Administrators, support staff, classified staff
 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION LEVEL:                      Minimum of Bachelor’s degree and endorsements in the area of teaching assignment(s).

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION:      Current, valid South Dakota teaching certificate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:      Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use phone and computer; see and read computer screen and printed material with or without visual aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on phone; and, to bend, stoop, sit on floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.  May be required to meet sometimes strenuous physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties including lifting 50 pounds on a regular basis and periodically lifting in excess of 50 pounds with assistance.  Must be able to lift and position students with disabilities with assistance; control behavior through physical restraint; assist non-ambulatory students; take appropriate action in emergency situations; and, follow procedures in a calm, responsible manner.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:      Usually works indoors in classroom environment.  Teaching, student supervision, bus/recess duty, or field trips may be performed outdoors or away from school.  Potential exposure to biological hazards.

TEA AREA BEHAVIORS OF EXCELLENCE:

1.       Ability to embrace the organization’s mission.

2.       Be responsible and follow through with important actions.

3.       Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

4.       Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy at all times.

5.       Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

6.       Work together in a supportive manner by being dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

7.       Take personal ownership to improve.

8.       Communicate with sincerity, honesty and respect.

9.       Maintain a high degree of professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Instructs students in a program of study which meets stated objectives and provides transfer of knowledge.

2.       Develops lesson plans and instructional materials, provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.

3.       Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the history, background, and assessment of students in designing an educational program to meet individual educational needs.

4.       Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.

5.       Guides the learning process toward achievement of all IEP goals, establish clear objectives for the students.

6.       Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior utilizing behavior management strategies and techniques, including behavior modification, reinforcement, and other positive behavior shaping processes.

7.       Evaluates academic and social growth of students, prepares report cards, keeps appropriate records to include attendance reports, checklists, census forms, and other recordkeeping activities as necessary.

8.       Prepares, administers, scores, and records the results of criterion referenced, group standardized and specialized tests in evaluating student growth and progress in accordance with testing practices and guidelines.

9.       Supervises and monitors student movement and escorts students to resources, bathrooms, buses, cafeteria, room changes and other activities in building.

10.   Performs health services, if needed, for which training will be provided.

11.   Serves as liaison between classroom and specialty groups.

12.   Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary team as appropriate.

13.   Counsels, confers, and communicates with parents, school and District personnel regarding student progress, and in interpretation of the educational program.

14.   Performs a variety of non-instructional duties, including curriculum and instructional development activities, student supervision, and advisory and consultation activities.

15.   Assists the administration in implementing Board policies, administrative regulations, and school rules governing student life and conduct, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.

16.   Continues personal professional growth and upgrading of skills appropriate to teaching assignments including but not limited to certification requirements.

17.   Attends staff meetings, serves on staff committees, and accepts a share of responsibility for extracurricular activities/assignments.

18.   Completes all trainings and other compliance requirements as assigned by designated deadline.

19.   Works professionally with administration, staff, parents, and the community.

20.   Adheres to the standards outlined in the South Dakota Code of Ethics for Educators and the policies of the District.

21.   Respects and practices confidentiality both in and out of school with regard to records, activities, and communications relating to all students, parents/guardians, and staff.

22.   Performs other duties as assigned by Principal, Special Education Director or other appropriate administrator.

DISCLAIMER:      The preceding description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required.  These may be changed, added or deleted at any time with or without notice.  Personnel may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities if needed.  The Tea Area School District reserves the right to revise this description at any time.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.