SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

MODERATE/SEVERE

ESCONDIDO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services or designee and the principal, teach and instruct preschool, elementary and/or middle school level students who require remedial and specialized assistance in pre-academic, academic, functional skills, social-emotional, behavioral, adaptive behaviors, daily living and pre-vocational skill areas; plan, develop, organize, and assist in the operation of comprehensive individualized educational programs for students with a variety of disabilities; assist instructional personnel responsible for students with disabilities in making an appropriate adjustment to an educational program requiring an increased level of independence; and perform other related functions as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following:

  • Complete thorough initial evaluations, additional assessments and triennial re-evaluations within district, state and federal guidelines and develop legally compliant assessment reports and IEP’s.

  • Utilize comprehensive assessment results in developing appropriate IEP goals and objectives to accommodate the wide variety of individual needs of each student.

  • Participate as a member of the IEP team to develop IEP goals, objectives, adaptations, accommodations, modifications and instructional plans; implement and monitor the IEP.

  • Provide instruction and services to students whose needs have been identified in an IEP, and others as requested by principal or special education administrator.

  • Design educational programs to meet individual learning needs within the least restrictive environment.

  • Utilize functional skills curriculum and/or core curriculum with modifications to develop lesson plans to instruct/remediate identified learning deficits and make progress towards agreed upon goals.

  • Provide individual and/or group instruction in remediating student-learning deficits to adapt/modify the general education and/or functional skills curriculum(s) as per the unique needs of the student and effectively utilize the available instructional time.

  • Demonstrate effective classroom management, employing a variety of behavior management strategies and techniques, including Applied Behavior Analysis, behavior modification, reinforcement and other positive behavior shaping techniques.

  • Prepare, administer, score, and record the results of criterion and/or norm referenced and/or group standardized tests in evaluating student’s present level of functioning, growth and progress.

  • Knowledge of special education qualifications and instructional implications.

  • Provide consultation and/or in-service to school staff and parents, which relates to student assessment, specialized instruction, accommodations and modifications, and behavior management techniques.

  • Maintain records and reports, and complete frequent progress monitoring (i.e. Discrete Trial Training, (DTT) data, Desired Results Developmental Profile, (DRDP) behavior data, data on goals and objectives, service logs, progress reports, etc.) that are required by the district, state and/or federal regulations.

  • Serve as a collaborative case manager of the IEP team; participate in other types of meetings, if requested.

  • Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with all other school district personnel and parents while maintaining confidentiality at all times.

  • Work collaboratively and consultatively with classroom teachers who have special education students in general education classes, interpreting the abilities and disabilities of these students, and assisting the student curriculum needs; assist other professional staff members in resolving the unique psychological or disciplinary concerns of such students.

  • Undertake continuing professional development related to special education and instructional methods related to the field.

  • Plan and coordinate the work of assigned instructional aides as well as provide training in order for the instructional assistants to work effectively with students.

  • Assist students with personal care such as feeding, toileting, changing diapers and clothing, cleaning/grooming and other physical or health care needs. Assist in transferring students in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and other types of orthopedic equipment as necessary; assure the safe use and operation of wheelchairs and other orthopedic equipment; performs a variety of specialized and minor health care procedures such as suctioning of tracheotomy tubes, g-tube feeding, nebulizer treatments, catheterization procedures, and changing ostomy/colostomy bags.

  • Participate in transition planning.

  • Perform observations and assessments at off-site locations (or at locations other than traditional school setting).

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF

Federal and State laws and regulations surrounding the provision of special education services, and district policies and procedures; principles, theories, techniques and strategies pertaining to the teaching and instruction of students with special needs; educational curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, and the educational trends and research findings pertaining to students with disabilities; behavior management and behavior shaping strategies; basic computer and instructional technology skills.

ABILITY TO

Plan, organize, develop and use appropriate strategies for planning, recommending services and implementing instruction, including the use of supplementary aids, services, and technology; manage learning environments that are safe and effective; collaborate and communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders; provide effective learning experiences for students with a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions requires the following physical demands: hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard; have a means of transportation to conduct work; seeing to conduct inspections of data; and occasional lifting of boxes and equipment and bending or reaching for files and equipment. Weight of materials will vary, but generally fifty (50) pounds or less. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking and 40% standing. May be required to correctly transfer or restrain a child physically if needed. Will work with students who have significant academic and social/emotional needs. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment and in a clean atmosphere.

LICENSES/ CREDENTIALS/ EXPERIENCE

K-8: Education Specialist Instruction Credential—Moderate Severe Disabilities, Specialist Credential in Special Education—Severely Handicapped or equivalent or currently enrolled in a Moderate/Severe credentialing program with the ability to obtain an intern credential.

Pre K: Education Specialist Instruction Credential--Early Childhood Special Education or equivalent or currently enrolled in an Early Childhood credentialing program with the ability to obtain an intern credential.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination and fingerprint clearance following an offer of employment.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree required

SALARY

Placement on the certificated salary schedule

Board Approval: 06/13/2019