Primary Purpose:

Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability level. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Certification

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsement for subject and level assigned or approved alternative certification program

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of subject assigned

General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Ability to research and develop teaching units

Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Student teaching or approved internship

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community. 

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators  

Instructional Management

The teacher promotes improvement of instruction through activities such as the following: 

• Collaborates with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop the IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Implements an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
• Plans and uses appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Works cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify and accommodate regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participates in ARD and transition committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Conducts assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan for instructional activities.
• Presents subject matter according to guidelines established by the IEP.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned
• Plans and supervises assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).
• Performs all Case Management duties for students on caseload.
• Assists in developing the IEP for each student.
• Collaborates with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop the IEP through the ARD committee process for each student assigned.
• Uses technology to strengthen the teaching/learning process. 

Student Growth and Development

The teacher fosters student growth and development through activities such as the following: 

• Conducts ongoing assessment of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Provides or supervises personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in the IEP (if required for position).
• Assumes responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned.
• Sponsors outside activities approved by the campus principal. 

Classroom Management and Organization Improvement

The teacher works to improve the classroom, school or organization through activities such as the following: 

• Creates classroom environment conducive to learning appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Manages student behavior and administer discipline, this includes intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to the IEP.
• Consults with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to the IEP (must be trained to intervenes in crisis and physically restrain).
• Consults with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to the IEP. Request assistance from the Special Education Specialist.
• Consults district and outside resource (only with parental permission) people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Assists in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials. 

Communication and Community Relations

The teacher promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following: 

• Be a positive role model for students, support the mission of the district.
• Establishes and maintain open communications with parents, students, principals, teachers, and support staff by conducting conferences.
• Maintains a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Uses effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly. 

Professional Growth and Development

The teacher participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following: 

• Participates in national and state level organizations to stay abreast of latest research and best practices.
• Attends professional development opportunities related to designated subject area.
• Read,s synthesize, and disseminate research and information related to best practices from books, journals, listservs, websites, and other media formats.
• Attends meetings and participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills. 

Qualities of Effective Teachers

The teacher exhibits qualities such as the following: 

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Keeps informed of and comply with state, District, and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers.
• Compiles, maintains, and files reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attends and participates in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately.
• Complies with district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Complies with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, and standards.
• Maintains confidentiality. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise the work of teacher aide(s), volunteer(s), and student teachers as assigned. 

Equipment:

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, teacher resource materials and equipment, printer, copier, fax and other equipment applicable to the position. 

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors 

• Maintains emotional control under stress.
• Works with frequent interruptions.
• Works irregular hour and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, lifting, and carrying (may lift and move textbooks and other classroom adaptive equipment).
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
• May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities and assist non-ambulatory students.
• This position may require feeding, diapering, and caring of handicapped students.
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel.
• Uses computer for prolonged period resulting in repetitive hand motion.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces. 

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.