Teacher - Life Skills

Waxahachie ISD•Waxahachie, TX

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to support their intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and instructional materials to match student ability levels. Work in a self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned. The position is assigned to a campus, reports to the Campus Principal, and has 187 duty days. The position is exempt and paid on the teacher schedule. The teacher develops and implements individualized education programs (IEPs) through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee process; adapts instruction and curricula to student needs; assesses student progress; and collaborates with students, families, staff, and district or outside resources. Duties also include supporting students’ personal, medical, and feeding needs as specified in their IEPs, managing classroom behavior and safety, directing instructional aides, maintaining records, and participating in professional development and school activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for the assignment.
Knowledge of the special needs of students in the assigned area.
Knowledge of the ARD Committee process and IEP goal-setting and implementation.
Knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction for students with special needs.
Effective communication skills.
Student teaching, an approved internship, or related work experience.
Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, which may include lifting and moving heavy materials or students, assisting non-ambulatory students, and using safe physical restraint procedures.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with students, parents, and staff to develop each assigned student’s IEP through the ARD committee process.
Implement instructional, therapeutic, or skill-development programs for assigned students and document preparation as required.
Assess students’ learning styles and achievement through ongoing formal and informal assessment.
Plan and use appropriate strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect students’ learning styles and needs.
Present subject matter effectively in accordance with IEP guidelines, using varied instructional techniques and media, including technology.
Work with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
Participate regularly in ARD Committee meetings and in selecting books, equipment, and other instructional media.
Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding as stated in student IEPs.
Take responsibility for assigned extracurricular activities and sponsor outside activities approved by the campus principal.
Consult district and outside resources regarding students’ educational, social, medical, and personal needs.
Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and students’ physical, social, and emotional development.
Manage student behavior and administer discipline, including intervening in crises and physically restraining students when necessary according to their IEPs.
Consult classroom teachers about managing student behavior according to IEPs.
Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
Plan and assign work to teacher aides and volunteers and oversee its completion.
Communicate with parents, students, principals, and teachers through conferences and maintain professional relationships with them and colleagues.
Participate in staff development to improve job-related skills.
Comply with applicable federal, state, district, and school special education regulations and policies.
Compile, maintain, and file required physical and computerized reports, records, and documents.
Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor or other administrators that are consistent with the position’s general requirements and qualifications.
Direct the work of instructional aides.
Maintain emotional control under stress and de-escalate physical aggression, including using safe, non-harmful physical restraint procedures.