Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

REPORTS TO: 

Center Coordinator

JOB  SUMMARY:

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher specializes in teaching children with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities. The ECSE develops tailored teaching plans, collaborates with parents and support staff, and assesses students' progress to help them achieve important learning milestones. The ECSE Teacher will also complete case management functions that include assessing student needs, coordinating services, and guiding families throughout the Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MDT), Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. They will also be the point of communication for families and ensure that all paperwork is sent to families and communicated about with the team. 

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in education, family and consumer sciences, developmental psychology, communication disorders, nursing or social work is required.

Current Teacher Licensure with Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement through Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) or be eligible to obtain.

Two years of experience is preferred.

CPR certification through AHA.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:  

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain a calm and patient demeanor with all children and family members.

Thorough understanding of various special education needs and services.

Thorough understanding of Special Education policies, laws, and guidelines. 

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Proficient with Google Suite or related software.

Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas of need for students.

Participates in developmental screenings and completes required paperwork for referrals and  Consents to Evaluate.

Obtains required signatures from parents and communicates with parents throughout the evaluation and implementation process. 

Identifies the child’s needs and develops related goals and teaching plans.

Develops an integrated plan for the education of each child by collaborating with classroom teachers, parents, psychologists, social workers, and other clinical staff.

Coordinates services with other agencies such as DFS and local school districts as needed.

Ensures each student's activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.

Develops individualized education programs (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans  (IFSP’s) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; 

Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting required specifications of IEPs and IFSPs.

Implements IEPs and IFSPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, and continually tracks progress and makes modifications as necessary.

Collaborates with classroom teachers to ensure each student's needs are met and plans are followed.

Ensures programs comply with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Develops, completes, and maintains all paperwork mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.

Facilitates and documents team meetings. 

Maintains knowledge of special education teaching methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.

Establishes and enforces classroom management structure and rules that ensure the academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.

Celebrates the achievements and successes of students.

Implements the county Child Find programs by scheduling and processing screenings.

Schedules evaluations, MDT/IEP/IFSP meetings, and parent/staff meetings.

Maintains a master schedule and makes daily updates.

Develop and maintain class lists to include services, case manager, teacher, etc.

Establishes and maintains detailed, confidential records for each child, and adheres to compliance deadlines per state and federal law.

Assists with the preparation of state and federal reports.

Reviews information in Special Education paperwork to maintain accuracy.

Tracks and maintains Physician Orders and Medicaid Plans of Treatment.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 75% sitting, 10% walking, 15% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.