Special Education Teacher - Autistic Support_Elementary at North Penn School District

The North Penn School District seeks to develop a community that values and adapts to diversity. We strive to acknowledge, respect, understand, and celebrate the dynamics of racial and cultural differences. Through the development of culturally proficient staff, the establishment of structures that promote equitable opportunities, and partnerships with families and students, our School District will create an environment of respect where all members of the school community are empowered to learn, grow, and appreciate one another.  We look forward to your interest! 

Title: Special Education Teacher - Autistic Support 
Reports To: Building Principal and Special Education Supervisor
Takes Direction From: Building Principal and Special Education Supervisor
Schedule/Calendar:    7.5 hours/day    37.5 hours/week    191 days/year

Summary: A Special Education teacher shall be responsible for supporting students with disabilities by delivering instruction that will enable them to make progress toward their goals as outlined in their individualized Education Plans (IEPs).  

Essential Functions:

• Meets and instructs assigned classes in locations and times designated.

• Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of the principal/district office administrator. 

• Plans lessons that are differentiated in order to demonstrate alignment to the PA Core and approved courses of study.

• Demonstrates understanding of the Danielson Framework and executes its implementation. 

• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and is appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.

• Strives  to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.

• Prepares and develops instructional materials and lessons that target the students’ IEP goals and objectives and meet the diverse needs of the learners on your caseload.

• Uses strategies and techniques to improve the development of sensory and perceptual motor skills, language, cognition, and memory skills as indicated in the students’ IEPs.

• When deemed necessary by the IEP, modifies the general education curriculum for each student based upon his/her needs using various instructional methodologies and/or incorporating technology.

• Develops and prepares IEPs and other special education reports in accordance with special education timelines in order to ensure the district is in compliance.

• Works collaboratively with all IEP team members and staff to ensure the student’s specific needs are being addressed and progress is being made.

• Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by PA special education laws, regulations, and district policies.

• Monitors that all IEPs/SDIs are being implemented properly across all school environments.

• When deemed necessary, develops Positive Behavior Support Plans in collaboration with the team for students who demonstrate behaviors that impede their learning or that of others.

• Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure. 

• Teaches socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.

• Teaches personal development/functional skills such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.

• Monitors special education assistants to ensure that they are fulfilling job responsibilities. 

• Facilitates the use of assistive devices, supports technology, and provides assistance with activities of daily living.  

• Prepares, administers, and grades tests and assignments to evaluate students’ progress.  

• Ensures that student goals are monitored during the duration of the IEP with effective progress monitoring. 

• Provides opportunities for students to be included in the least restrictive environment with non-disabled peers.

• Supports the use of all necessary supplementary aids and services to provide meaningful access. 

• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. 

• Schedules and holds all special education meetings within the designated timelines and in accordance with PA special education laws and regulations.

• Consults with the parents, administrators, school psychologists, interagency personnel, and related service providers to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, physical, social, and emotional development. 

• Attends professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.

• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. 

• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

Education or Certification Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education.

• PA Special Education certification.

• Wilson Reading System Certification preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Content and pedagogy of counseling theory, best practices, and techniques.

• Child and adolescent development.

• Behavior management strategies and techniques relating to students who experience atypical behavior are preferred.

Requisite Skills:

• Excellent time management skills - to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments in an efficient manner and within established timelines.

• Effective communication skills with a variety of stakeholders, orally and in writing.

• Familiarity with technology applications, including but not limited to LinkIt, Infinite Campus, Canvas, and Google Suite.

Ability to:  

• Organize physical space that supports learning.

• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.

• Direct classroom.

• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders.  

• Support a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ADA Compliance:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of this position.  
Physical Requirements:      Sedentary         Light work         Medium work         Heavy work        Very heavy work
Sedentary:  involves sitting most of the time.  Incumbent should be able to exert up to 10 lbs of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects.
Light work:  If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the individual sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.  The incumbent should be able to exert up to 20 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Medium work:  The incumbent should be able to exert up to 50 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs of force constantly to move objects.
Heavy work:  The incumbent should be able to exert up to 100 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs of force constantly to move objects.
Very heavy work:  The incumbent should be able to exert in excess of 100 lbs of force occasionally, and in excess of 50 lbs of force frequently, and in excess of 20 lbs of force constantly to move objects.