The primary role and responsibility of an Education Specialist Teacher is to provide services to special education students with appropriate learning activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. The Special Education teacher will develop instructional materials through accommodated and modified curriculum and adjusted lesson plans. The Special Education teacher will conduct work in self-contained, push in, team, departmental or itinerant capacity as necessary. Special education teachers and paraprofessionals who are authorized to handle crisis situations and physically restrain students will complete specialized training in behavioral interventions, such as Crisis Prevention Institute, prior to placement in the classroom. Overseeing / managing a caseload of special education students and the implementation of their IEP/504 plans in: inclusive, self-contained and pull-out settings. Ensuring appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans. Ensuring compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education. Ensuring that services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality, provided in the LRE, and are aligned with students’ IEPs/504 plans. Effectively communicating to parents and guardians the special education process including process for referrals, evaluations, annual IEPs/504 plans, and re-evaluations. Facilitating IEP meetings using a strengths based and family centered approach Coordinating with the student's special education team to ensure all documents are completed in a timely manner (according to state, local, and school policies and procedures) prior to meeting. Connect with the special education team to ensure all team members (including parents) are prepared for the content of the meeting. Coordinating with a special education team to complete quarterly IEP progress reports and provide quarterly IEP progress reports to parents/guardians. Maintaining student files (paper and electronic) according to school, district and state standards. Providing training and technical assistance to case managers, teachers, related service providers and support service professionals on all aspects of cases management: use of computer systems for the special education process, goal writing, progress reports, annual reviews and parent communication. Ensuring IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strength based, and relevant to individual students. Working to maintain a school and data system that includes: student information related to IEPs, services, service hours, evaluations, referrals, timelines in which evaluations were completed and discipline incidents. Supporting the planning of special education initiatives and the implementation of initiatives. Integrates new developments, research findings and best practices into ongoing programs and new initiatives. Representing school as a subject matter expert in contact with district, state, Federal Agencies and non- profits concerning students with special needs. Overseeing special education inventory of equipment / materials. Identifying and developing appropriate curriculum and school based assessments to support the academic growth of students with IEPs/504 plans. Gathering and reporting data for all reporting requirements concerning students with IEPs/504 plans and other required reports (to the State, Department of Education, census, grant applications, annual report, etc.). Maintaining a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues such as changes in federal and local special education policy. Advocating for special education with school leadership. Establishing and maintaining communication with parents of students in the program. Facilitating workshops / meetings for parents, as well as identifies resources for parents of students with special needs. Engaging parents and families in their student’s learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community. As appropriate, connecting with students outside providers, pediatricians, and therapists to support student’s needs in the classroom. Co-Coordinating subject related programs Maintaining confidentiality of student records and student information Other job related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
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Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level