Exceptional Child Instructor (MSD) @ DHS

Danville Independent School District•Danville, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

To help students learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able, and responsible men and women. This role involves developing and implementing lesson plans, collaborating with colleagues and parents, managing student behavior, and pursuing professional growth opportunities. The instructor will also implement specially designed instruction according to IEPs and serve as a consultant to regular education teachers.

Requirements

Possess Valid Kentucky Teaching Certification

Nice To Haves

Experience with MSD (Multiple Severe Disabilities) students.
Experience implementing specially designed instruction according to IEPs.
Ability to serve as a consultant/resource to regular education teachers.
Ability to consult with teachers regarding pre-referral collaboration techniques for at-risk students in the regular classroom.
Ability to develop IEP objectives which correspond with present levels of student performance and allow for continuous student progress.
Ability to complete required due process paperwork efficiently and correctly.
Ability to assist with evaluations.
Ability to perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Responsibilities

Develop lesson plans/units of study based upon appropriate academic expectations/student goals/school objectives/student needs and goals.
Identify targeted academic expectations in lesson/unit and match activities/learning experiences to academic expectations.
Select appropriate materials/media/technologies for lesson presentation.
Include student activities that address various student learning styles/intelligence skills.
Use technology to support instruction; access and manipulate data; enhance professional growth and productivity; communicate and collaborate with colleagues, parents and the community; and conduct research/solve problems.
Plan activities to make effective use of class/instructional time available.
Incorporate performance-based assessments.
Identify school and community resources.
Design instructional units and student activities that integrate knowledge and skills from more than one discipline.
Involve student, when appropriate, in designing student activities.
Design instructional activities and themes of interest to students.
Design or use projects, manipulative, and simulations to provide “real life” experiences.
Collaborate with others (students, teachers, parents) to develop, design, deliver and align curriculum to meet the identified needs of students, school, district and community.
Formulate academically-relevant and essential questions.
Provide for learning experiences that parallel that which students are ready to learn and do.
Develop a positive learning climate and arrange physical environment to enhance learning and delivery of instruction.
Arrange environment to accommodate individual, small group, and large-group activities.
Alter physical arrangement to match planned activities/students’ needs.
Maintain a safe/functional environment that minimizes barriers to learning.
Maintain positive student-teacher interactions.
Display sensitivity when dealing with students and others.
Interact positively with students, colleagues, parents, and community members.
Implement instructional units/lesson plans.
Provide time and activities for all students to apply knowledge/practice skills.
Use appropriate questioning techniques to assist students in problem-solving, developing critical thinking, and in formulating accurate responses.
Use appropriate response techniques when responding to student’s answers in order to maximize learning.
Demonstrate and enhance subject knowledge by providing examples of accurate, up-to-date information/practices/procedures.
Provide opportunities for individual and cooperative learning experiences.
Involve all students in learning opportunities.
Emphasize/repeat essential ideas, concepts, procedures throughout instruction.
Bring closure to unit/activity that reinforces learning.
Encourage students to apply learning in “real-life” setting.
Reinforce student learning with specific academic praise.
Communicate/display specific learner expectations and desired results.
Connect student activities/lesson objectives to “real life” applications.
Include appropriate uses of media and technologies.
Make smooth, clear transitions between activities.
Provide connections to students activities that are based upon prior learning, students’ backgrounds and experiences, and future aspirations.
Demonstrate abilities and techniques to improve instructional/learning by using a variety of assessment procedures.
Provide students immediate and specific feedback on a consistent basis.
Provide feedback that is meaningful and timely.
Incorporate comprehension checks of understanding by circulating throughout the room, interacting with students; asking questions, observing students, and guiding students’ practices/activities.
Analyze assessment results to improve/revise instruction.
Make adjustments in assessment and instructional techniques for diversities (social, physical cultural).
Provide opportunities for student analysis of unit/lesson activities (reflections, assists in developing scoring guides, etc.).
Use a variety of assessment techniques to evaluate student performances (open response items, performance events, portfolio entries, standardized tests, group participation, etc.).
Manage students’ behaviors in order to maximize teaching and learning opportunities.
Establish/maintain behavioral expectations (class rules) of students.
Monitor students’ behaviors according to local school/district policies and procedures.
Reinforce acceptable student behaviors with genuine, specific praise.
Hold each student accountable for his/her own behaviors.
Manage disruptive behavior constructively while maintaining instructional momentum.
Demonstrate fairness and consistency when managing disruptive behaviors and enforce consequences.
Use gestures, facial expressions, verbal cues, and proximity control to direct and redirect student behaviors.
Communicate positively/effectively with students, colleagues, parents and others.
Speak directly and clearly.
Provide clear instructions.
Share student expectations, criteria for assessment, student progress with students and parents in meetings, conferences, written progress reports, etc.
Make effective use of non-verbal cues, expressions, gestures, etc.
Seek and complete professional growth opportunities/activities to improve instruction.
Evaluate self to identify needs for instructional improvement.
Develop/review a professional growth plan congruent with school/district/KERA Goals and missions.
Review professional growth plan annually and revise plan as needs/goals change.
Participate in professional development activities (continuing education, workshops, seminars, action-based research, teacher networks, etc.).
Share instructional materials, information, ideas with colleagues.
Strive to improve instruction on a consistent basis.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding students’ behaviors and performances.
Encourage professional growth of peers.
Use appropriate language in the presence of students.
Meet local school district job expectations and requirements in job descriptions.
Follow proper channels to address issues and problems.
Meet assigned time frames as stipulated.
Serve on various school/district committees.
Follow school/district policies and procedures including employee time and attendance.
Perform other (out-of-class) duties consistent with contract/job expectations.
Implement specially designed instruction according to I.E.P.
Correlate IEP objectives with lesson plans.
Serve as a consultant/resource to regular education teachers.
Provide appropriate information on special needs students to other school personnel, e.g. strength, weaknesses.
Consult with teachers regarding pre-referral collaboration techniques for at-risk students in the regular classroom.
Develop IEP objectives which correspond with present levels of student performance and allow for continuous student progress.
Complete required due process paperwork efficiently and correctly.
Assist with evaluations.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.