Job Title:                             Teacher – Special Education

Location:                             School Based

Pay Grade:                          Teacher Salary Scale

Work Calendar:                    10 month (200 days)

FLSA Status:                        Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Principal and/or other designated administrator, the Special Education Teacher develops and implements an instructional program that will effectively meet the individualized needs of each student with a disability; assesses and evaluates student performance and modifies instructional activities as appropriate; and maintains an understanding of local, state, federal mandates governing special education programs.

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support Student Learning

• Practice and promote positive interaction with and among students by demonstrating enthusiasm for learning and maintaining interest in students.
• Encourage self-direction and self-motivation in students.
• Adapt and adjust instructional presentation of subject content to students' needs and interests.
• Maintain and organized program of instruction based on effective long-range plans with evidence of effective lesson planning.
• Utilize a variety of appropriate materials and resources.
• Communicate the lesson objective and its importance to students.
• Utilize appropriate and varied teaching techniques and leaning activities both in class and out of class.
• Maintain an effective system of monitoring student progress and to inform appropriate persons of such progress.

School Building Responsibilities

• Complete required reports promptly and accurately.
• Accept responsibilities outside the classroom as they relate to the school.
• Assume responsibility for a neat, safe environment for students committed to the teacher's care.

Support and demonstrate core values of Stafford County Public Schools

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond promptly and thoroughly to written and oral requests for information.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as a role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all District and School policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or education related to specific special education area to which assigned.
• Hold or be eligible for a valid teaching license which meets Commonwealth of Virginia requirements with specific endorsement in Special Education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge
  • Thorough knowledge of the subject being taught to special needs students
  • Classroom management strategies appropriate to the learning situation
• Skills
  • Relate positively to parents and other community representatives
  • Assess individual needs and performance
• Abilities
  • Address criticism in an appropriate manner and develop constructive outcomes
  • Work cooperatively in a team environment to meet goals
  • Organize and perform work independently
  • Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects
  • Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is inside a classroom but could include outside activities, with moderate noise, temperatures that are controlled but can be subject to outside temperatures, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements.
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objects by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations shall be made, as required by law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this job description.