Teacher - Special Education

Dept/Div: Special Education                                                           FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Definition of Work

Performs specialized professional work providing education for students who have intellectual, physical, behavioral, or emotional disabilities. Special education involves specially designed instruction tailored to the unique needs of each child.  .  Work is performed under the general direction of the Special Education Director. Continuous supervision is exercised over Paraprofessional and students.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function 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.

Essential Functions

• Plans and implements educational programs for academically, emotionally, or behaviorally disabled children. 
• Teaches academic skills, social, and independent living skills.
• Creates an atmosphere so that students  can experience realistic group and family interactions and responsibilities.
• Teaches and counsels on basic household duties.
• Manages inappropriate behavior often of an aggressive nature. 
• May supervise and direct the work of paraprofessionals.
• Plans and leads therapeutic programs for students. 
• Collects and tabulates data in preparation for instruction..
• Attends professional development opportunities offered by the school district or through professional networks. . 
• Maintains student records and coordinates dissemination of reports..

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the specialized needs for teaching students with unique learning needs, general knowledge of community services and resources; general knowledge of the formulation, planning and evaluation of individualized programs; some knowledge of student assessment and evaluation procedures; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, students, local agencies and,; ability to establish and maintain good rapport with families and students.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with coursework in special education. Specific endorsements will be based on student need, i.e., psychology, early childhood, social work, or related field and moderate experience working in special education, psychology, early childhood, social work, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel and lifting and occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Special Requirements

• First Aid and CPR Certification.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training.
• Valid driver's license in the State of Iowa.