ECSE Teacher - Special Education

Grand Rapids Public Schools•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made 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 written out in this job description. GRPS MISSION : Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated, self-directed and productive members of society. Teacher – Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Department: Special Education Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA) Salary: Compensation is determined by a structured salary schedule. The starting salary is based on the candidate’s degree level and verified years of licensed or certificated experience. JOB SUMMARY The Early Childhood Special Education Teacher is responsible for ensuring kindergarten readiness for students by working as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following: Work as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs. Work cooperatively and collaboratively with building staff to ensure that Early Childhood programs and services are integrated in the assigned building (inclusion focused). Create an environment that assures learning using Positive Behavioral Supports. Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Early Childhood staff to ensure that Early Childhood instructional model is carried out uniformly throughout classroom. Recognize unique developmental needs and differences of students of preschool age. Ability to develop, collect and analyze instructional data for the purpose of advancing student learning. Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely records in accordance with Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), Child Licensing and Great Start Readiness Program Implementation, and Grand Rapids Public Schools Demonstrate leadership skills by partnering with assigned paraprofessional creating an instructional team to achieve classroom curriculum development and delivery while supporting every child’s academic and social emotional growth. Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and Early Childhood MTSS team as needed. Provide educational opportunities monthly for parents of Early Childhood students to engage in with their child. Accept and accomplish other duties as assigned from the Special Education Department and/or the Early Childhood Department Display physical, social, mental, and emotional soundness to execute the duties of job. Serve as a role model for staff and students and within school community. Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents, and the community in positive, supportive, and cooperative ways. Encourage team spirit and contribute as a team member in the decision-making processes of the school as facilitated by administration. Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required. Contribute to extra-curricular activities such as clubs and academic competitions and school programs as appropriate. Always maintain and promote school district goals and objectives. Comply with state, federal and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and the contract. Regular and on-time attendance is required. Other duties as assigned. Parent and community engagement Make and maintain regular, positive contact with parents. Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with students, parents, colleagues, and leadership. Participate in parent meetings, including IEPs and Parent/Teacher Conferences. Contribute to the development of a positive attitude between the school and the wider community through cooperative relations, publications, community functions, etc.

Requirements

An endorsement in both early childhood and special education.
An endorsement with a designation of ZS (early childhood general and special education).
Valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire.
Demonstrate ability to build relationships with students, parents, staff and community in a professional, contractual, and courteous manner.
Experience working with children and teaching them in developmentally appropriate ways aligned with NAEYC and Michigan Early Childhood Standards of High Quality
Demonstrate good attendance, punctuality, and excellent communication/ organization skills.
Demonstrate respect for confidentiality requirements of information.
Demonstrated understanding of current research as to how children learn and the ability to motivate student to perform at their best.
Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing
Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction, by using a variety of styles, and inspire mixed culture and ability classes by creating challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all students.
Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team.
Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.

Nice To Haves

A major or minor in early childhood growth education or child growth and development and a special education endorsement with a full approval from the department of education.

Responsibilities

Work as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with building staff to ensure that Early Childhood programs and services are integrated in the assigned building (inclusion focused).
Create an environment that assures learning using Positive Behavioral Supports.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Early Childhood staff to ensure that Early Childhood instructional model is carried out uniformly throughout classroom.
Recognize unique developmental needs and differences of students of preschool age.
Ability to develop, collect and analyze instructional data for the purpose of advancing student learning.
Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely records in accordance with Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), Child Licensing and Great Start Readiness Program Implementation, and Grand Rapids Public Schools
Demonstrate leadership skills by partnering with assigned paraprofessional creating an instructional team to achieve classroom curriculum development and delivery while supporting every child’s academic and social emotional growth.
Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and Early Childhood MTSS team as needed.
Provide educational opportunities monthly for parents of Early Childhood students to engage in with their child.
Accept and accomplish other duties as assigned from the Special Education Department and/or the Early Childhood Department
Display physical, social, mental, and emotional soundness to execute the duties of job.
Serve as a role model for staff and students and within school community.
Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents, and the community in positive, supportive, and cooperative ways.
Encourage team spirit and contribute as a team member in the decision-making processes of the school as facilitated by administration.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
Contribute to extra-curricular activities such as clubs and academic competitions and school programs as appropriate.
Always maintain and promote school district goals and objectives.
Comply with state, federal and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and the contract.
Regular and on-time attendance is required.
Other duties as assigned.
Make and maintain regular, positive contact with parents.
Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with students, parents, colleagues, and leadership.
Participate in parent meetings, including IEPs and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Contribute to the development of a positive attitude between the school and the wider community through cooperative relations, publications, community functions, etc.