Preschool Special Education Teacher

Anchorage School District • Mountain View, AK

16h • Onsite

About The Position

Special Education teachers plan and provide learning experiences for students with disabilities, including cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities, in a variety of educational settings. Special Education Teachers create a flexible program and learning environment that provide specialized instruction; establish effective rapport with students; may modify general education curriculum to meet students' needs with supplemental aides, accommodations, and other needed supports; and establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members. The Special Education Teacher reports to and is evaluated by the site principal. This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale. Information on the pay scale can be found online on our Labor Relations Department website. This position's grade level, content area taught, and work site may change dependent upon student enrollment and district staffing needs. Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits.

Requirements

• Valid Alaska initial, professional, or master teaching certificate with an endorsement in Special Education.
• A minimum of six semester credit hours of early childhood education.
• Evidence of content knowledge shown by: a posted degree in the content area of this position; or a posted minor in the content area of this position; or passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of this position; or an endorsement in the content area of this position.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of experience working with special education students.
• Experience working collaboratively to support the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs of special education students in a public school setting.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide learning experiences for students with disabilities.
• Create a flexible program and learning environment that provide specialized instruction.
• Establish effective rapport with students.
• Modify general education curriculum to meet students' needs with supplemental aides, accommodations, and other needed supports.
• Establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members.
• Describe their philosophy of education and demonstrate its relationship to their practice.
• Understand how students learn and develop, and apply that knowledge in their practice.
• Establish and maintain standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
• Organize class time to provide a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, work time and assessment.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and--in harmony with the goals--establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Teach students with respect for their individual and cultural characteristics.
• Know the teacher's content area and how to teach it.
• Develop lesson plans and instructional material and provide individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils.
• Translate lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Use current technology to enhance instruction.
• Use technology for record-keeping and research.
• Apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program.
• Facilitate, monitor, and assess student learning.
• Evaluate pupils' academic and social growth, keep appropriate records and prepare progress reports.
• Identify pupil needs and make appropriate referrals and develop strategies for individual education plans.
• Create and maintain a learning environment in which all students are actively engaged and contributing members.
• Provide individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of the student.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Create an environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of student's work.
• Supervise student environment, students, and volunteers.
• Work as a partner with parents, families, and the community.
• Communicate regularly with parents by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Participate in and contribute to the teaching profession.

Benefits

• Additional 6% increase on their annual salary.
• Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) for positions 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE.
• Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS) for positions 0.40 to 0.49 FTE.
• Reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

What This Job Offers

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