Placement Range: $52,751.00 to $69,962.00.00 for full SY

Learn more about our generous benefit plans to support a healthy work/life balance at: https://phxschools.org/careers/benefits/

This position may be eligible for $3000.00 Special Education teacher stipend for meeting the responsibilities in the supplemental job description as determined by the principal and the director of Special Education.

Job Summary/Purpose

The Special Education Teacher will collaborate with the principal, general education classroom teachers, related services staff, school psychologist, parents, paraprofessionals, and district personnel to facilitate the development of a comprehensive individualized education program that will support students in the least restrictive environment.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Learner and Learning:  The Teacher…..

• Understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• Works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content:  The Teacher……

• Understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to ensure mastery of the content.
• Understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practice:  The Teacher…..

• Understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learning progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision-making.
• Plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies (including technology) to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Professional Responsibility:  The Teacher…..

• Engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
• Seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Individualized Education Program (IEP):  The Teacher…..

• Demonstrates knowledge of disabilities and their educational implications.
• Demonstrates knowledge of state and federal special education laws, rules, and regulations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to use a variety of assistive devices that support student learning.
• Applies specialized diagnostic and assessment procedures to assist in determining special education eligibility for areas of suspected disability.
• Assists in the design and implementation of individualized education programs through diagnostic teaching, instructional adaptations, and individual behavior management techniques.
• Utilizes paraprofessionals, and other support staff, effectively through training and supervision.
• Understands and uses effectively, the student data system, Synergy, to create compliant Annual, Amended, and Initial IEPs, supporting documents, and progress reports.
• Conducts compliant IEP meetings which include all significant Special Education Team members.
• Completes and sends original IEP paperwork to District Office in a timely manner.
• Creates and updates Service Records as instructed by district personnel that includes all students on caseload.
• Utilizes technology (e.g., IPADS, Kindles, Wiis, Intellitools, SMART boards, etc.) and approved instructional programs to enhance student learning.
• Maintains and inventories equipment in the classroom.

Supervisor

The Special Education Teacher reports directly to the Principal and the Director of Student Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Special Education Teacher supervises classroom employees, students, and volunteers.

Education and/or Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Arizona Special Education Certificate in the area(s) of instruction and disability from ADE

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.    
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, 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 essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials, etc. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

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 essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.

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

This position is eligible for benefits. Learn more about our plans here: https://phxschools.org/careers/benefits/