Days per Year: 187

JOB TITLE: Special Education Resource Teacher

REPORTS TO: Principal

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

PAY GRADE: Teacher Salary Scale

PRIMARY PURPOSE:
 

The Special Education Resource Teacher position is designed for an educator who strives to positively impact students’ eligible for special education supports and services. This position will work to affect students’ academic achievement in the areas of Literacy and/or Mathematics so that they can be successful in the general education curriculum. The Special Education Resource Teacher is responsible for providing intense, direct, explicit instruction in literacy and/or mathematics where the student has demonstrated significant needs. Through the use of the Spring ISD curriculum and the knowledge of how standards are vertically aligned, the Resource Teacher will scaffold instruction to bridge gaps found in student achievement and to ensure access and progress is made on grade level standards. The Special Education Resource Teacher is responsible for instructional delivery, classroom environment, progress monitoring, and documentation. While this teacher will ensure that students who are pulled out of the General Education classroom environment continue to receive rigorous learning, they may provide services in the General Education classroom to ensure students are receiving specific learning supports and are able to transfer their knowledge as they transition into the mainstream setting.  The work of the Special Education Resource Teacher is guided by curriculum standards and by federal, state and district special education policy and procedures.

All employees of SISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:
 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements and level assigned (Special Education AND English/Language Arts/Reading OR Mathematics OR Core Subjects for grade levels assigned)

Preferred:

• One year of student teaching or approved internship
• Experience working with students eligible for special education supports and services
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with content area endorsement(s)
• Valid Texas ESL Certification
• Dyslexia training

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Experience working with students eligible for special education supports and services
•  Experience working with struggling readers
•  Knowledge of Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
• Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• Ability to instruct students, manage their behavior and collaborate in learning environment
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technology skills including technology integration

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Develops and implements instructional plans to assist students in closing their achievement gaps to that they can access the general curriculum and meet curriculum standards
• Actively participates in Data Driven Action Planning (DDAP) Professional Learning community (PLC) meetings with general education teachers to plan, practice and provide accommodations to meet student needs
• Actively participates in training provided by the district on developing and implementing intervention strategies designed to accelerate student growth in literacy / mathematics.
• Prepares and documents lesson plans in accordance with district standards and procedures
• Implements individual education plans (IEPs), monitors and documents student progress
• Communicates regularly with parents to review student progress.
• Maintains the confidentiality of student and parent information.
• Maintains accurate and complete student records and prepares reports on students as required
• Uses a variety of data collection tools to assess student skills and progress in the general curriculum
• Maintains professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, staff support activities and other professional opportunities
• Serves as the students’ Case Manager including responsibility for:
• Coordinates and documents the Admission, Review and Dismissal/Individual Educational Plan Committee for each student.
• Ensures that students have appropriately written Standards Based Individualized Education Programs (SBIEP)
• Ensures that the IEP is being implemented, with fidelity in all school settings
• Evaluates and monitors individual student progress based on academic and behavioral data collection.
• Participates in placement decisions based on educational, social and behavioral data presented to the committee.
• Maintains documentation of implementation of services in accordance with the students’ Individual Educational Plans.
• Ensures the distribution of appropriate paperwork (including accommodations and deliberations) to all assigned teachers (both general and special education).
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, reaching/repetitive hand motions, and the ability to work with frequent interruptions. May be required to lift or position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students. Mental demands: Ability to maintain emotional control under stress; ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data, ability to be effective in both oral and written communication.

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.