Early Childhood Special Education Universal Preschool Teacher

Johnston Community School District • Johnston, IA

19h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for an Early Childhood Special Education Universal Preschool Teacher. The role involves teaching to local curriculum standards, creating a positive classroom environment, and utilizing effective assessment and instructional strategies. The teacher will be responsible for modifying lesson plans as needed and ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn. This role also requires a commitment to professional growth and collegial work within the school and district.

Requirements

• Valid Iowa teaching license with PK-3 Teacher Regular Education/Special Education, or PK-3 Birth through grade 3 Inclusive Settings endorsement required.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff.
• Projects a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community.
• Promotes a positive image of the Johnston Schools.
• Respects differing points of view.
• Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups.
• Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations.
• Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner.
• Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students.
• Contributes to creating a positive work environment.
• Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality.
• Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day.
• Takes advantage of professional growth opportunities related to his/her specific job.
• Works independently and with confidence.
• Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations.
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision.
• Keeps current with appropriate teaching content and instructional techniques and strategies (e.g., participation in professional organizations, workshops and conferences, including the development of technology skills).
• Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation.
• Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Previous special education teaching experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Teach to local curriculum standards, presenting curriculum from whole to part with an emphasis on what students should know and be able to do.
• Communicate learning goals to students and parents.
• Incorporate activities for students which require applications of learning.
• Create a classroom environment that promotes learning.
• Establish fair and appropriate classroom rules and correct inappropriate behavior in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Reinforce positive behaviors and maintain consistent expectations concerning student behaviors.
• Establish and maintain rapport with students.
• Demonstrate appropriate instructional preparation and use knowledge of students to design educational experiences.
• Prepare materials prior to the beginning of class.
• Align lessons with district standards and assessments.
• Design lessons appropriate to age level and student interest, with a logical flow of learning.
• Design educational experiences that utilize district-provided technologies.
• Use effective instructional techniques and utilize instructional time effectively.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and strategies including multi-sensory approaches, appropriate questioning and modeling, role playing, self-teaching and activity-based learning.
• Utilize a variety of instructional resources outside of the textbook.
• Integrate classroom technology into teaching and learning.
• Modify lesson plans and instructional techniques as required by student learning needs.
• Provide all students the opportunity to learn through instruction.
• Ensure instruction is free of cultural, religious, ethnic or gender bias.
• Respond in a positive and constructive manner to student questions.
• Provide students with opportunities for success.
• Model and promote honesty, respect for people and property, responsibility for personal and group actions, personal integrity and the value of hard work.
• Use effective assessment strategies that directly relate to core curricular concepts and are an integral part of teaching and learning.
• Utilize assessment of student progress including both traditional and alternative assessment measures.
• Ensure assessment is interwoven with learning and occurs on an ongoing basis.
• Keep current with appropriate teaching content and instructional techniques and strategies.
• Apply knowledge gained through professional growth to the classroom.
• Contribute and participate in a positive manner to building and district professional growth opportunities.
• Work collegially to select and implement building and district goals.
• Remain informed on building and district policies and work cooperatively toward their implementation.
• Participate, when appropriate, in curriculum development and building/district assignments.
• Meet responsibilities beyond the school day related to school functions.
• Maintain a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities.
• Assume leadership roles (committee participation, department chairs, curriculum review, etc.).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level