Special Education Teacher (School for Autism)

Pressley Ridge Career•Pittsburgh, PA

15h

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher collaborates with the classroom team to develop, implement, and monitor individualized academic and behavioral programming for students. The role addresses students’ educational, communication, and social-emotional needs and supports and guides the classroom team. The teacher develops and reviews Student Support Plans and Individualized Education Plans, creates classroom and behavioral management systems, delivers instruction across content areas, prepares lesson plans, monitors progress, and supports students’ transitions to work or community settings. The position includes communication with families and home districts, student data tracking and reporting, participation in professional development, and compliance with organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, safety practices, and Pennsylvania Department of Education certification requirements. The teacher may assist with approved student interventions and transport students when needed. Work takes place in schools and the community, with hours dependent on the school schedule and flexibility to meet student needs. PRSD follows a 12-month schedule; PRSA and Day Schools follow a 10-month school-year schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in special education.
Pennsylvania State Teacher Certification in special education.
For the School for the Deaf, Education and Hearing-Impaired Certification.
For the School for the Deaf, proficiency in American Sign Language within two years of employment.
Valid state driver’s license, safe driving record, and current auto insurance.
Required clearances: State Police, FBI, and Child Abuse Clearances.
Mandated Reporter—Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training certificate and/or statement.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the classroom team to develop, implement, and review Student Support Plans and Individualized Education Plans.
Develop and implement classroom and behavioral management systems.
Instruct students in content areas and IEP-specified areas through individual, group, and experiential interactions.
Prepare lesson plans, grade work, monitor student progress weekly, and prepare quarterly report cards.
Develop and implement daily group and individualized lesson plans using provided curriculum and supplemental materials.
Complete required assessments and track, graph, and report student data.
Support students’ transitions from school into work or community environments.
Establish and maintain professional relationships with students, families, colleagues, supervisors, and external contacts.
Communicate with parents and home districts about student progress, meetings, and visits.
Use technology resources, including computers, smartphones, web-based systems, EHRs, school information systems, and IEP Writer.
Receive supervision and communicate with the supervisor throughout the week about program matters.
Follow classroom and school budget constraints.
Participate periodically in program committees, conferences, and workshops with Program Director approval, and provide in-service training when approved.
Obtain and maintain professional certification required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Identify and address potentially dangerous environmental conditions with Coordinator approval when necessary.
Implement school-wide policies, procedures, and interventions; follow threat assessment and critical incident documentation procedures.
Follow procedures for physical contact with students and for responding to student illness or injury, including arranging care, notifying appropriate people, and documenting actions.
Assist other staff with TCI or Ukeru interventions as needed to protect students and staff from injury.
Transport students when needed and follow safe driving procedures.
Maintain confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.