General Posting 2025 - 2026 Special Education K-12

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL

OVER-TIME STATUS: EXEMPT PAY GRADE: 710

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs difficult professional work preparing and providing training and instruction to intellectually disabled, learning disabled, handicapped, emotionally disturbed and other special needs students, individually and in groups; motivating students to develop skills in assigned subject matters; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the School Principal. Supervision is exercised over paraprofessionals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Teaching and training special needs students; motivating students to achieve maximum potential.
• Facilitate specialized subject matter(s), motivating all students to achieve maximum
  potential;
• Assesses and evaluates the needs of students;
• Develops individualized instructional programs;
• Instruct students in area(s) of specialization and subject matter specified in State law and administrative regulations and procedures of Portsmouth Public Schools;
• Establishes and maintains standards of behavior;
• Encourages students to think independently, develop and express original ideas;
• Evaluates students' progress, maintains appropriate records, prepares progress reports;
• Communicates with students, student counselors and parents through conferences and
  other means;
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education and self-selected
  professional books and instructional materials;
• Supervises and monitors student movement and escorts students to resources,
  bathrooms, buses, cafeteria, room changes and other activities in the building;
• Participates in faculty committees and student activity sponsorship as required;
• Performs administrative functions in computer based applications;
• Models non discriminatory practices in all activities,
• Performs related tasks as required.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Thorough knowledge of special education principles, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching of special needs students; thorough knowledge of school division rules, regulations and procedures; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior; ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, students and parents; ability to operate a personal computer.

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects, and some light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Some teaching specialties (i.e. music, art,
physical education, etc.) may require hearing, vision, physical coordination and/or exertion and
effort in excess of those listed above.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Must possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in education or a related field. Must possess or be eligible for a Virginia Collegiate Professional License, Postgraduate Professional License or Provisional License with appropriate endorsement to teach specific subject area.