Special Education Teacher- Legacy Academy

Middletown Public Schools•Middletown, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for providing in class teaching to special education students at the Legacy Academy. The Middletown Public Schools cultivates the brilliance in each student by empowering them with knowledge and skills, fostering an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation, encouraging a culture of growth and exploration, and embracing authenticity to cultivate a sense of belonging.

Requirements

Ability to display flexibility to meet the operational demands of the department activities required.
Ability to adhere to and model organizational values and Work Pillars required.
Ability to interact with students, families, co-workers and members of the public in a courteous and professional manner required.
Knowledge of and ability to successfully utilize Google Suite and Microsoft office suite programs required.
Knowledge of State and Federal regulations related to Special Education and related services required.
Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of Special Education required.
Knowledge of ability to successfully utilize CT SEDS database required.
Knowledge of high school graduation requirements required.
Knowledge of the Common Core State standards required.
Ability to demonstrate high level of organizational and time management skills required.
Knowledge of Planning and Placement Team process, special education program and procedures required.
Proficiency in assessment method and data interpretation required.
Ability to support diverse learners including students with disabilities and English language learners required.
Knowledge of child development and behavior management required.
Proficiency in instructional strategies and use of technology required.
Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain confidentiality required.
Working knowledge of specialized instruction, remediation and support.
Willingness to engage in professional development required.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing required.
Ability to work nights and weekends required.
Knowledge of assessment methods, techniques, and tools for supporting all students required.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing required.
Knowledge of formative and summative assessment tools required.
Knowledge of alternative curriculum, best practice and research required.
Knowledge of learning styles, and skills in using differentiation to address student learning needs required.
Ability to maintain appropriate student supervision required.
Ability to collaborate and work effectively with peers, administrators, and others required.
Willingness and ability to work in a non-traditional school setting required.
Ability to work nights required.
Ability to attend meetings before and after school hours required.
Ability to develop lesson plans based on non-academic criteria required.
Knowledge of District student management software program required.
Ability to provide ongoing feedback on student progress to students, parents, and Legacy Academy staff required.
Ability to maintain an environment conducive to student learning and appropriate and for physical, social and emotional development of students required.
Bachelor’s degree in special education required.
Three (3) years of successful experience in special education required.
Valid State Comprehensive Special Education, PreK-12 (#165 or 065) Cross-Endorsement certification required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Special Education preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP, in accordance with School Board policies and state and federal rules and regulations.
Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
Takes action to ensure that additional needs/resources are communicated to Special Education Services Coordinator in a timely manner.
Using student data, employs a variety of teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
Actively collaborates with team members to maximize effectiveness of teaching interventions.
Develops and implements annual and triennial Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students, including but not limited to present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.
Schedules team meetings and works cooperatively with child study team members and others in developing instructional goals and strategies.
Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP.
Creates a positive learning experience with emphasis in individualized instruction using appropriate sources including i-pads.
Serves as primary contact for the parent.
Conducts special education evaluations and reevaluations of students.
Provides direction, supervision and evaluation of educational assistants as needed.
Completes all district and state reporting requirements.
Establishes and maintains student control and discipline in the classroom, school premises or during school activities.
Employs and implements a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures.
Collaborates and consults with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers etc.) regarding the needs of students.
Provides consultation to gen-ed. classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptions, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Participates in school activities including but not limited to in-services, back-to-school nights, parent conferences, school projects and student activities.
Provides lesson plans, including emergency lesson plans, for substitutes.
Maintains a minimum two weeks’ of lesson plans on hand in case substitute teachers are required.
Data enters, and maintains appropriate student records and track necessary information such as assignments/grades, parent outreach, interventions provided, etc.in accordance with District policies and procedures.
Participates in early release days and other professional development opportunities.
Enters grades for student records in a timely manner and in accordance with District policy.
Works in multidisciplinary team setting in accordance with Alternative Education and Legacy Academy policies and procedures.
Develops classroom and individualized curriculum based on a wide range of social emotional and other non-academic criteria.
Works collaboratively with special education teachers and other Legacy Academy staff to ensure alignment of teaching plans meets student needs.
Attends and participates in PPS meetings as needed.
Schedules and conducts conferences with students, parents and team members at the end of each marking period, and/or as needed to determine if placement in the alternative education program is necessary.
In consultation with Social workers and BCBA, develops specific goals for each student and monitors student progress daily towards goals.
Collaborates with agencies involved with students placed in the Alternative Education program.
Track attendance and prepare appropriate paperwork to accurately account for student attendance.
Engages in after-school professional development and meetings.
Sets and maintains clear and rigorous expectations for student success.
Actively encourages students to learn from mistakes, and create opportunities for all student can experience success.
Performs other duties as directed.