JDE: 4.09

Special Education Teacher

Purpose Statement

The position of  Special Education Teacher was established for the purpose of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing special education students' success in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living; supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines: collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students’ parents or guardians regarding instructional program and student progress. 

Job Title:  Special Education Classroom Teacher 

Salary: See Teacher Salary Schedule  

Benefit Summary: C

Reports To:  Building Principal

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Required Qualifications:

• Iowa State Teacher License
• Bachelor’s degree in position related area
• Position related experience is preferred

Essential Functions 

• Accommodates and/or modifies course content, in collaboration with general education teachers, for the purpose of providing students with specially designed instruction that addresses individualized learning plans. 
• Administers developmental testing programs, subject specific assessments, etc. for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans. 
• Administers, if nurse is not available, first aid and assistance to medically fragile children (e.g. tube feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for children as assigned. 
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations, student's achievements, and developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment. 
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals (e.g. behavioral, motor development and communication skills, academic needs, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, and administration. 
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes and achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan. 
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, problem solving techniques, and a variety of personal issues. 
• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements. 
• Delivers specially designed instruction for the purpose of improving student success in academic, interpersonal, and daily living skills through a defined course of study. 
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, nap times, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment. 
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction. 
• Supports classroom teachers for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of established curriculum and/or individual student plans. 
• Participates in a variety of meetings, including lEPs, and 504 meetings for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions. 
• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g. adaptive materials, grades, attendance, anecdotal records, IEPS, behavior logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements. 
• Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to state and federal laws and school board policies.

Other Functions 

• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution. 
• Directs associates, student teachers, and/or volunteers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students. 
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Appropriate codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws
• Age appropriate activities
• Instruction and assessment practices
• Behavioral management strategies
• Child development, brain development, and best practices in education
• Curriculum development
• Safety practices and procedures
• Conflict resolution
• Crisis de-escalation techniques

• Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: 
• Interacting effectively with students, teachers/staff, the community and parents
• Adhering to safety practices
• Operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Using district approved crisis intervention techniques

• Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: 
• Establishing and maintaining constructive relationships
• Ability to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events
• Gather collate, and/or classify data
• Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances
• Ability to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups
• Ability to problem solve
• Exhibiting tact and patience
• Adaptability to changing work priorities
• Maintaining confidentiality

Working Environment 

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

The usual and customary methods of performing the position functions require the following physical demands:  significant lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, reaching, driving, standing and walking. Working conditions may include extreme temperatures and humidity.  Hazards may include exposure to communicable diseases. This position requires one to maintain emotional control under stress. 

Responsibility 

Responsibilities include working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform position functions.  There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services. 

Terms of Employment 

Work year established by the Superintendent; Salary according to schedule adopted annually.

Clearances

Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.

Evaluation 

Job performance will be evaluated annually, as per district policies and procedures.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by:     Justin Mohr                                          Date: March 31st, 2023

Ankeny Community School District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  It is the policy of the District to provide equal employment opportunities and not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age or marital status in its employment and personnel practices.  The job categories where the representative groups are underrepresented.