Teacher Special Education - Ecse

Grand Rapids Public Schools•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Childhood Special Education Teacher is responsible for ensuring kindergarten readiness for scholars by working as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, special education, or child development and one or more of the following:
Endorsements in both special education and early childhood education.
A major or minor in early childhood education or child growth and development and a valid Michigan teaching certificate with a special education endorsement with full approval from the Department of Education (MDE).
An endorsement in early childhood general and special education (ZS endorsement).
Valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire.
Full approval as a teacher of preprimary impaired children is full approval as an early childhood special education teacher if the teacher possesses a valid Michigan teaching certificate.
Demonstrate ability to build relationships with scholars, parents, staff and community in a professional, contractual, and courteous manner.
Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
Consistently demonstrates strong communication (verbal and written) and exceptional organizational skills.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion.
Demonstrated understanding of current research as to how children learn and the ability to motivate scholar to perform at their best.
Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing
Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction, by using a variety of styles, and inspire mixed culture and ability classes by creating challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all scholars.
Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team.
Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with preschool-aged children (often with disabilities or developmental delays).
Knowledge/experience of special education processes (writing IEPs/IFSPs, assessment, data collection, differentiated instruction, evidence-based practices).

Responsibilities

Work as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with building staff to ensure that Early Childhood programs and services are integrated in the assigned building (inclusion focused).
Create an environment that assures learning using Positive Behavioral Supports.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Early Childhood staff to ensure that Early Childhood instructional model is carried out uniformly throughout classroom.
Recognize unique developmental needs and differences of scholars of preschool age.
Ability to develop, collect and analyze instructional data for the purpose of advancing scholar learning.
Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely records in accordance with Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), Child Licensing and Great Start Readiness Program Implementation, and Grand Rapids Public Schools
Demonstrate leadership skills by partnering with assigned paraprofessional creating an instructional team to achieve classroom curriculum development and delivery while supporting every child’s academic and social emotional growth.
Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and Early Childhood MTSS team as needed.
Provide educational opportunities monthly for parents of Early Childhood scholars to engage in with their child.
Accept and accomplish other duties as assigned from the Special Education Department and/or the Early Childhood Department
Display physical, social, mental, and emotional soundness to execute the duties of job.
Serve as a role model for staff and scholars and within school community.
Interact with co-workers, administration, scholars, parents, and the community in positive, supportive, and cooperative ways.
Encourage team spirit and contribute as a team member in the decision-making processes of the school as facilitated by administration.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
Contribute to extra-curricular activities such as clubs and academic competitions and school programs as appropriate.
Always maintain and promote school district goals and objectives.
Comply with state, federal and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and the contract.
Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Make and maintain regular, positive contact with parents.
Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with scholars, parents, colleagues, and leadership.
Participate in parent meetings, including IEPs and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Contribute to the development of a positive attitude between the school and the wider community through cooperative relations, publications, community functions, etc.