NATURE AND SCOPE OF JOB:
Under direction of the Special Education Program Administrator and the Building Principal, a Special Education Teacher will provide quality services to special education students. The position includes a commitment to team participation in planning and implementation of student programs including direct special instruction, tutorial assistance, directing paraprofessional staff and consultation to general education staff. The employee must adhere to the State of Alaska Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. See attached Code of Ethics document.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
● Possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Alaska Teaching License with Special Education endorsement. Master's Degree in Special Education or related field preferred
● Knowledge, abilities and experience with students from unique, diverse, and challenging backgrounds
● Strong interpersonal relations and communications skills
● Strong behavior management and positive discipline skills ● Experience working with special education students with severe behavior disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities, within the general education environment, modifying and adapting general education curriculum, and providing services in varied environments. ● Knowledge and experience with alternate communication systems and curriculum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
● Demonstrate consistent punctuality and regular attendance
● Prepare individual student education plans in an online IEP system
● Consult with parents and IEP team members to create individual student education plans
● Design instruction, both individual and in small group, which parallels the general education curriculum
● Act as coordinator of IEP implementation with general education staff, and oversee paraprofessionals working directly with students
● Act on referrals
● Monitor student progress, participate in review and revision of IEPs, as appropriate
● Communicate with staff about specific students, offering suggestions or support regarding how the teacher might address particular issues with a student
● Maintain appropriate student data and other records and submit reports as required Revised March 2022
● Articulate curriculum between and among student levels
● Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive classroom climate that encourages student responsibility, using positive motivation, clear classroom routines, challenging instructional strategies, and effective classroom management techniques
● Assess the learning needs and styles of students, using a variety of assessment techniques and data to determine eligibility.
● Plan and adjust the learning experiences accordingly, requesting advice and assistance from specialists when appropriate
● Assist with the preparation, monitoring, and following of Individual Education Plans for selected students assigned to the class
● Employ a variety of methods for students to demonstrate learning and accomplishments
● Evaluate and grade homework, assignments, and tests in a timely fashion, providing feedback to the student on performance. Maintain records and provide evidence of growth and progress to parents and students
● Work cooperatively with and manage adults assigned to the classroom (e.g., paraprofessionals, student teachers, parents, and volunteers), establishing clear expectations for roles and responsibilities
● Serve as a role model for students, dressing and grooming professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the honorable profession of teaching
● Maintain positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, parents, and representatives of resource agencies within the community
● Consistent, clear communication with parents of special education students, keeping them informed and involved in the education and progress of their children
● Attend required staff meetings and serve, as appropriate, on staff committees. Participate in curriculum and program development, and in the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction
● Notify immediately appropriate personnel of evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
● Manage classroom and group organization
● Manage online student learning management systems
● Perform other duties as assigned

EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer/IPad
Telephone
Intercom System
Smartboard
Paper Cutter

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
● Physical stamina to work with students who have behavioral challenges
● Lower body strength to kneel, stand, and walk throughout the workday
● Finger strength required to type effectively on a computer keyboard
● Finger, hand and arm strength necessary to write on paper, whiteboard, overhead projector sheets, etc. throughout the workday
● Visual acuity and stamina to work at a computer monitor Revised March 2022
● Verbal stamina to articulate clearly and with appropriate volume throughout the workday
● Auditory discrimination sufficient to receive detailed information through normal speech at 5 feet and warning cries or alarms above normal classroom and playground noise.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
● Occasional exposure to weather extremes
● Occasional exposure to loud noises.

Note: Job descriptions are designed and intended only to summarize the essential duties or primary responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements for the purpose of clarifying the general scope of a position’s role as part of the overall organization. Job descriptions do not list all tasks an employee might be expected to perform, and they do not limit the right of the employer/supervisor to assign additional tasks or otherwise modify duties to be performed, even if seemingly unrelated to the basic job. Every employee has a duty to perform all assigned tasks. (An employee who is assigned a task or a duty believed to be unlawful should report the assignment to the Superintendent). It must also be noted that the order of performance responsibilities as listed in the job description is not designed or intended to rank the duties in any order of importance to each other.