Teacher 1

Easterseals Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Teacher instructs individuals served in activities designed to promote social, physical, intellectual, and literacy growth, while providing personal care in a discrete and professional manner. The Teacher evaluates each individual’s progress, adapts instruction or recommends changes to goals and teaching methods, and documents outcomes and progress in compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements. The role develops and implements individualized instruction across social/emotional, cognitive, motor, language and communication, and self-help areas. It supports learning, literacy, social skills, independence, and successful transitions through life phases. The Teacher evaluates functional skills, prepares instructional materials, maintains records, collaborates with the program team, and helps ensure the classroom meets quality and state licensing standards. The Teacher supervises one to two teaching assistants in the classroom, plans and directs their duties, and may carry out delegated supervisory responsibilities. The position also includes personal care, classroom safety and hygiene, participation in conferences and individualized treatment planning, and compliance with applicable laws and HIPAA requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, such as ABA, elementary education, or secondary education; alternatively, an associate’s degree with coursework in education.
Excellent interpersonal, leadership, management, and supervisory skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of best practices and curriculum for early childhood education and development, including the inclusion and role of therapy and related fields in programming and service delivery.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, statutes, or governmental regulations.
Ability to present to groups and answer questions in person and via video conference.
Strong computer skills, including electronic health management platforms, email, calendars, word processing, spreadsheets, video conferencing, and presentation software.
Strong attention to deadlines and details.
Demonstrated ability to work with and support children with a diverse range of abilities.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with employees and families at diverse levels.
Ability to develop team members and the team as a whole.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
CPR and First Aid certification required within 30 days of hire.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable, including standing, walking, sitting, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 100 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years’ experience as a classroom teacher is preferred.

Responsibilities

Teach social/emotional, cognitive, motor, language and communication, and self-help skills.
Promote learning, literacy, social skills, independence, and successful transitions through life phases.
Use appropriate behavior management and modification techniques.
Plan and implement weekly lesson plans based on each individual’s needs, development, treatment plan, goals, and objectives.
Evaluate functional skill levels using screening tools, data collection, and assessments, and refer individuals for further assessment as needed.
Prepare instructional materials and aids, using task analysis methods to present objectives to individuals or groups.
Maintain accurate records regarding attendance, instructional progress, guardian contact, medical needs, daily health checks, accidents, and occurrences; document progress at least weekly.
Arrange and supervise meaningful special activities, such as classroom events and special guests.
Communicate regularly with Case Managers and the program team about individuals’ strengths, needs, and other identified issues.
Communicate with the supervisor or designee about program, individual, or staff issues and concerns.
Ensure the classroom meets quality standards and state licensing requirements.
Collaborate with the program team to provide individualized programming and modifications for individuals with disabilities, including feeding, positioning, communication methods, classroom support, and equipment.
Coordinate with the program team to align and consistently implement goals and objectives across education, therapy, medical, and other disciplines.
Plan and direct classroom duties of teaching assistants, hold them accountable for performance, communicate ongoing problems to the supervisor or designee, and provide feedback for annual evaluations.
Assist individuals served with personal care, including feeding and diapering or toileting.
Maintain a safe, orderly, and clean classroom and use appropriate methods to support hygiene, health, and safety.
Attend initial placement conferences, teaming conferences, and annual individualized treatment plan meetings and conferences, and carry out team decisions related to individuals’ developmental and functional education.
Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and follow restrictions on access to protected health information.