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Special Education Teacher
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Reports to:
Principal
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Department:
Assigned Campus(es)
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Pay Grade
Teacher Salary Scale
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Funding Source:
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Primary Purpose:
Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to match student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.
Education/Certification:
Bachelor’s degree from accredited university
Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignments
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area
Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
Knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction for special needs
Effective communication skills
Experience:
Student teaching, approved internship, or related work experience
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate and acceptable
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PSJA Leadership Skills and Expectations
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In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who are expected to embody the Spirit of PSJA and demonstrate these characteristics
as they lead others.
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Positive Engagement
Welcomes staff, students, parents, and community as honored members at the district table
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Builds relationships – Builds positive, trusting relationships through frequent interactions which demonstrate care and interest in well-being of all stakeholders
Exhibits professionalism– Exhibits awareness and reflection to manage emotions and engage in continuous personal growth
Models ethics – Exemplifies the values and priorities of the district through consistent actions and service to stakeholders
Communicates effectively- Maintains open lines of two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community to receive input and provide information for engagement with district vision
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Student-centered Excellence
Holds vision and expectations for success for all students and all staff
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Demonstrates expertise – Possesses up-to-date knowledge and skills to perform organizational role at a high level of competence
Establishes shared vision – Articulates the school’s mission to the community and solicits support in making that mission become a reality
Implements plans- Works with all stakeholders to implement vision by establishing goal, monitoring progress, and providing resources
Expects results – Pursues exceptional results for all students by holding self and others accountable and driving for continuous improvement
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Joint Empowerment
Develops and empowers individuals and teams for effective action
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Promotes collaboration – Designs organizational structures to promote collaboration and teamwork for distributed leadership throughout the district
Inspires Action – Motivates others to take responsible risks and perform at their highest level to support district vision and goals
Builds capacity – Provides opportunities for growth to ensure all staff build capacity to support district goals
Develops leaders – Identifies, develops, and places future leaders through rigorous processes and strategic leadership assignments
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Adaptive Innovation
Maintains district at the forefront of educational service providers
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Scans Environment – Analyzes and applies understanding of internal organization and external environment to assess and respond to the district’s future advancement
Manages change – Demonstrates courage, initiative, and perseverance in bringing about meaningful change to support the shared vision
Champions solutions – Challenges the status quo by collaboratively exploring new and better ways of doing things
Acknowledges outcomes – Creates a positive environment for growth by celebrating success and learning from failure
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Technical Skills, Responsibilities and Duties
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In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who demonstrate excellence in these technical areas as they lead others
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Strategies
- Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
- Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
- Conduct assessment of student learning styles. Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
- Present subject matter effectively and according to guidelines established by IEP. Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media including technology to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned
- Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
- Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
- Participate in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional media.
Student Growth and Development
- Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
- Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
- Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by campus principal.
- Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
Classroom Management and Organization
- Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
- Manage student behavior and administer discipline including intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
- Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
- Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Plan and assign the work of teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and oversee completion.
Other
- Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
- Maintain professional relationships with parents, students, and colleagues.
- Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
- Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
- Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct the work of instructional aide(s).
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used:
Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment
Posture:
Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion:
Frequent walking
Lifting:
May require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist nonambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment; may work prolonged or irregular hours
Environment:
Exposure to biological hazards
Mental Demands:
Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
It is the policy of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin or age.
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