Special Education Teacher/Interventionist Job Description (NYS SPED certification required)

Hired by, reports to, and evaluated by Principal(s)

The role of a Special Education teacher is an integral part of the school's educational program. In addition to collaborating with the Committee on Special Education for annual and triennial meetings, special education teachers will support general education teachers with IEP development and progress monitoring. Special education teachers will co-design lessons, model, and coach differentiated teaching strategies to effectively meet the needs of all students. Additionally, the special education teacher will be responsible for fulfilling Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS) mandates. Responsibilities are detailed below.

Teacher/Co-teaching Support:

• Creating Access for Students:
  • Assist general education teachers with implementing accommodations, modifications, and co-teaching models as it relates to individual and class-wide needs
• Progress Monitoring: * Meet with general education teachers to monitor student progress toward IEP goals on a routine basis * Support teacher in completing Progress Reports for students with IEPs on SESIS

Instruction:

• Special Education Teacher Support Services:
  • Develop a specially designed instructional program that supports students in achieving their IEP goals and accessing the general education program
  • Progress monitor and document each student's progress
• At-Risk Instruction (in conjunction with the instructional team) * Identify students who are academically at-risk * Observe and assess at-risk students * Design a personalized academic intervention plan for each area of need * Set specific, measurable goals for each student * Monitor the implementation of interventions both in and out of the classroom (LLI, Fundations, Do the Math, etc) * Progress monitor and document each student's response to the intervention * Meet with families to inform them of their child's progress * Connect with medical and/ or mental health providers, if warranted * Consult with related service providers for initial screenings * Refer for further evaluations, if founded

Special Education Compliance :

• Ensure student records, files, and delivery of services are according to federal and state laws and regulations
• Keep current of special education research, best practices, education policy
• Update special education database on a weekly basis

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain and enrich expertise in the area of special education services
• Attend conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities
• Respond to parent concerns effectively and in a timely manner
• Encourage students' positive interactions with other students and adults
• Value and promote peaceful conflict resolution and creative and authentic problem solving; Uphold the school's System of Logical Consequences; Engage in effective and appropriate classroom management
• Keep an organized workspace
• Support the development of colleagues
• Maintain and communicate high academic and personal expectations for all students with families, support staff, specialty teachers, and leaders
• Participate in a variety of staff development programs, including a yearly individualized professional development plan, two-week summer PD, and individual PD sessions
• Participate in developing and meeting the goals of an individualized professional development plan
• Uphold and promote the school's mission and vision
• Perform other duties as needed to support the ongoing development of Haven Academy (e.g. Lunch and/or recess duty, etc)

Qualifications:

• two or more years of teaching experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor's and/ or Master's Degree in Special Education required
• NYS Teaching Certification in Special Education required
• Unwavering conviction that all students can learn at a high level
• Spanish language proficiency a plus