Elementary Teacher - Special Education

Job Summary:

The Special Education Teacher will create a classroom environment that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of students with special education services. Teachers will provide specially designed instruction per each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) in order to allow students access to the general curriculum and build skills that will contribute to their ongoing development.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, duties, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this class.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities generally include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Provide case management services for students with disabilities, including all requirements related to IEP development, provision, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Deliver direct services to students with disabilities as specified in their IEPs.
• Follow district procedures throughout the entire special education process.
• Maintain all aspects of confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
• Meet and instruct assigned classes according to the established schedule.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning, appropriate to the developmental and skill levels of the students.
• Plan and prepare lessons to enable students to make meaningful progress.
• Set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of the students.
• Guide the learning process using clearly established goals and objectives to meet student and district goals.
• Maintain accurate and complete records to comply with federal, state, and district regulations and procedures.
• Assess student accomplishments as required by policy or regulation and provide meaningful feedback to support student growth.
• Collaborate with all staff, including general education teachers, to implement appropriate accommodations and modifications in the general education classroom to ensure student success.
• Maintain accurate census information in a timely manner according to district and state guidelines.
• Attend all required staff meetings.
• When assigned an instructional assistant, plan and supervise their assignments and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, state, county and city statutes, rules, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable Peoria Unified School District policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of a variety teaching methods and techniques to promote student growth.
• Facilitation of successful meetings to accomplish all IEP responsibilities.
• Knowledge of and provision of (Free and Appropriate Public education) FAPE to students with a disability as required by federal, state and district requirements.
• A working knowledge of accommodations and modifications to appropriately meet student needs.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with colleagues, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school district.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A current special education teaching certificate with appropriate endorsement(s) at the Arizona Department of Education.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be Appropriately Certified according to state and federal standards to fill the specific position.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint and background clearance check.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an Arizona driver’s license.
• May be required to lift and carry heavy, bulky supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• May be required to lift and/or transfer students weighing up to 60 pounds.
• May be required to work outside normal working hours.
• May be required to travel to perform work functions.