south-lake-elementary-school Work Opportunities ∙ Page 1

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Position Title: Special Education Teacher (Self-Contained)

Department: Instructional Services

Reports To: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

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REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or related area with previous student teaching experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid SC Teaching License (any applicable area)

Must have current government issued identification

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

8 Hours/190 Days

Certified Salary Scale

The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under general supervision facilitates the development of Individualized Educational Programs (IEP’s) and instructs academic and/or living skills to students who have been identified as having disabilities under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Assists in other school and district programs as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One towards increased outcomes for students.
• Interacts, communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders effectively.
• Operates general office and technology equipment needed for daily activities.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all employee and student information.
• Requests and maintains materials needed for daily responsibilities and essential functions; provides for safe storage and proper use of all tools, equipment and materials. 
• Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive learning environment for all students; supervises student activities on the playground, in the lunchroom, in arrival and dismissal locations and other areas as assigned; maintains positive behavior support and classroom management systems.
•  Teaches concepts and skills to students who have been classified as having autism, being developmentally delayed, orthopedically disabled, learning disabled, emotionally disabled, and/or severely intellectually disabled; preschool children with disabilities; and students who have a moderate or mild intellectual disability.  Instructs students in subjects and personal and functional skills required to prepare them for independent living and/or economic self-sufficiency. Provides vocational or community training to students as appropriate.
• Administers progress monitoring probes, such as curriculum based measurements and assessments to determine present levels of performance to make instructional decisions/modifications.
• Assists students with personal care (e.g. toileting); positions, lifts, and moves children when necessary. 
• Designs and facilitates engaging lesson plans and classroom activities; organizes classrooms for daily instruction. 
• Employs a variety of 21st century instructional methods and techniques consistent with the needs, capabilities, learning levels, and physical limitations of the student as indicated by the IEP; utilizes special teaching tools, techniques and equipment as appropriate.
• Demonstrates and evaluates the effectiveness of both formative and summative assessments; analyzes assessment data in relation to student learning and develops instructional strategies to close the learning and performance gap and fulfill IEP goals and objectives.
• Instructs students in the proper use, care and operation of computers and other applicable equipment, as appropriate.
• Supervises activities of assigned Instructional Assistant(s) which involves such duties as planning and reviewing work, and providing instruction, guidance, and training. 
• Prepares various records and forms such as lesson plans, daily and weekly activity plans, assessments, IEP’s, behavior intervention plans, anecdotal records, material requisitions, discipline reports, etc.
• Participates in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops.
• Selects, requests, and maintains an inventory of instructional aides, technology tools, equipment, and supplies needed for daily activities; provides for safe storage and proper use of all materials, equipment and tools.
• Effectively uses personal computing devices and software applications for the management of student records, instructional efficiency, and professional development.
• Meets with teachers, parents, administrators, related services personnel, and school counselors as needed to discuss student performance, activities, etc.; issues reports in accordance with school board policy and state and federal special education regulations to inform parents/guardians of students’ progress; suggests interventions as appropriate.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises students in classrooms and other situations. Responsible for maintenance and inventory of equipment; responsible for reporting equipment malfunctions. Indirectly provides supervision to instructional assistants as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Lexington County School District One Board policies. Must be able to access reliable transportation.

Personal computer experience required. Strong knowledge of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, electronic file management, the internet, and reporting and presentation software. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to apply knowledge and current research and theory. Ability to organize and implement a flexible work schedule in order to meet reporting deadlines. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.  Ability to submit all requested reports and documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with scheduled deadlines. Some extended hours and multiple demands from several people are frequently required of the employee. Computer literacy required. 

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the school district that pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of school policies, procedures, and operations. Ability to demonstrate proper maintenance, safe operation, and utilization of equipment, materials, and supplies used in daily activities. Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties. Ability to anticipate work to be completed and to complete work without the need for direct supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee and student records and information. Ability to interact and communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, teachers, students, and the general public.   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds such as boxes of materials. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision. Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours. Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment for this position varies. The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. 

Conducts duties in a classroom or office environment with no significant exposure to environmental factors. May be exposed to noise from students, bodily fluids, and the possibility of injury from a violent or impaired student. Requires constant attention and repetition associated with working with disabled students. Physical demands are most often restricted to classroom work requiring occasional lifting/moving of items weighing up to twenty-five pounds; however, occasional positioning, moving and/or lifting students weighing up to two hundred pounds may be required. Occasional local travel is required; no overnight travel required. Job requires the operation of general office, technology and special education equipment.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job is evaluated annually according to Board Policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The information contained in this job-description is intended for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.

The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.