Teacher - Special Education (Severe Needs)

Chicopee Public Schools•Chicopee, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary function of a special education teacher is to deliver the district curriculum in multiple ways that promotes student learning and achievement while accounting for the special and diverse needs of special education students. This role involves managing a classroom, developing and implementing curriculum plans, coordinating with various personnel, and directly educating students according to their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The teacher is responsible for ongoing assessment, progress monitoring, and maintaining communication with students, parents, and interdisciplinary teams. The position requires flexibility and cooperation with other departments to ensure smooth transitions for students. Duties may include providing limited personal care and being on one's feet for extended periods. The teacher will also counsel students on adjustment and academic problems, referring them to other services as needed, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Must be restraint certified or willing and able to become restraint certified.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, adding machines, etc.
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Must be able to stand, crouch and bend over for a long period of time at intervals throughout the day.
Must be able to be trained and certified in child restraint and must be able to physically perform restraints.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics of data, people or things.
Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information, including giving instructions, assignments or directions.
Ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, newsletters, schedules, manuals, invoices, requisitions, menus, recipes, journals, etc.
Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, procedures, charts, surveys, articles, bid specifications, brochures, news releases, handbooks, budgets, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical, legal, accounting and marketing terminology.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of algebra and geometry.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.
Ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools.
Minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Adaptability to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
Ability to talk and hear.
Ability to communicate via telephone.

Responsibilities

Organization and structure of the assigned classroom.
Collaboration with other teachers, instructors, coordinators, and administration.
Planning and supervision of the classroom schedule.
Development and implementation of curriculum plans.
Coordinating the roles of paraprofessionals, cooperating teachers, and others assigned to the classroom.
Facilitating the development of new skills with assigned paraprofessionals.
Coordinating the schedules of all ancillary personnel involved in the classroom.
Maintaining open and ongoing communication with each child's case manager and interdisciplinary team members.
Identifying needed materials and equipment pursuant to educational plans.
Direct supervision of paraprofessionals assigned to the classroom.
Education of each student consistent with the goals and objectives of the IEP (implementation of the IEP).
Ongoing assessment of each student's functioning level.
Writing student IEP Goals and benchmarks.
Completion and distribution of progress notes, detailing each student's progress towards meeting their IEP goals.
Participation in meetings, IEP meetings, clinics, in-services, and professional development.
Implementation of all required activities/testing/reporting of MCAS, as directed by state guidelines, regulations and district protocols.
Development of communication systems for each child with guidance of a consultant as needed.
Maintaining ongoing communication with each student's parent/legal guardian regarding their educational needs and progress.
Regular meetings with consultants that serve the program.
Regular meetings with ancillary personnel involved with each child.
Regular communication with nursing staff to ensure sound practices and to gain knowledge of the student's continually changing medical status.
Physical management of students' educational and personal care needs including lifting, positioning and changing.
Cooperation and flexibility to work with other departments for smooth transitions.
Attending and participating in continuing educational programs.
Communicating with parents, medical, nursing, educational and other disciplines/program consultants.
Maintaining a liaison with students, their families, support personnel, and other agencies.
Providing limited personal care to students.
Counseling students when adjustment and academic problems arise and referring students to other services as needed.
Preparing class objectives and outlines that align with the district approved curriculum.
Preparing, administering, correcting and analyzing student assessments.
Utilizing the conclusions derived from assessment analysis in developing lessons.
Instructing students on rules of conduct and expected behaviors.
Managing the class as well as other students wherever those students may be located.
Regularly informing parents or guardians of their students' academic performance and behavior.
Maintaining records, attendance and grades as required by school.
Planning, organizing and delivering differentiated instruction.
Providing timely feedback to students, parents, and guardians on evaluations.
Using appropriate techniques and strategies that promote critical, creative, and evaluative thinking skills.
Striving to maintain a learning environment that is both physically and emotionally safe.
Effectively and regularly communicating with fellow staff members and school administration.
Assisting in the communication and enforcement of federal and state laws and regulations as well as district policies and procedures.
Working cooperatively with school administration, staff, and special education.
Respecting students, parents, guardians and community.
Assisting parents with questions and concerns.
Maintaining professional relationships with students, parents and guardians.
Respecting and embracing students of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Assisting in the protection of students and property.
Assisting Principal or Vice Principal in fire and other emergency drills.
Assisting the Principal or Vice Principal in the management of students (e.g., dismissal, field trips).
Maintaining a high level of personal integrity, confidentiality and a strong work ethic.
Participating in district professional development.