Special Education Teacher (1,500 Sign-on Bonus)

Special Education Teacher Job Description

Job Summary:

A Special Education Teacher will support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities by creating individualized learning plans, collaborating with general education teachers and families, and ensuring compliance with all special education laws and guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Create individualized learning plans for students with disabilities
• Collaborate with general education teachers and families to support student needs
• Ensure compliance with all special education laws and guidelines
• Provide direct educational services to students with disabilities
• Implement instructional activities that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences
• Assess student learning and progress
• Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities
• Modify and adapt the general education curriculum to meet the needs of students with diverse and varying backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs
• Provide emotional support to students and families
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other professionals
• Participate in IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and multidisciplinary team meetings
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and IEPs
• Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) for students with behavioral challenges

Classroom Management:

• Establish and maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment
• Use proactive, positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behavior
• Recognize and celebrate student successes to build confidence and motivation
• Foster a classroom culture of mutual respect and high expectations
• Provide positive guidance and discipline to support students development
• Maintain a well-organized, structured, inviting, and culturally responsive physical space

Communication and Family Engagement:

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and other professionals
• Build trust and rapport with students, families, and colleagues
• Collaborate with parents to support students learning at home and encourage parental involvement in school activities
• Model professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers, and community
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and other professionals

Professional Development:

• Engage in continuous professional development to stay updated on the latest teaching methods, educational trends, and curriculum developments
• Participate in staff meetings, workshops, and training sessions to enhance teaching skills and contribute to the school community
• Reflect on teaching practices and seek opportunities for continuous improvement
• Collaborate with colleagues, support staff, and administration to support student success

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Child Growth & Development:
• Uses knowledge of the principles of child growth and development to work with children and communicate with internal and external stakeholders
• Implements a child-centered curriculum and learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation
• Addresses challenging behaviors by observing to determine possible causes of the behavior, implementing preventive measures, teaching the child new social and communication skills, and partnering with families to support the child at home
• Curriculum Development and Implementation:
• Develops and implements Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities in collaboration with families, school staff, and other service providers
• Modifies and adapts the general education curriculum to meet the needs of students with diverse and varying backgrounds, learning styles, and special needs
• Supports students with IEPs, including curricular and behavioral needs
• Student Assessment:
• Conducts regular assessments to evaluate students progress and understanding of the curriculum
• Promotes student ownership of learning through goal-setting, self-assessment, and reflection
• Implements accommodations, modifications, and provides other necessary support for students during assessments and school testing
• Classroom Management:
• Provides a positive, safe, nurturing, and inclusive classroom environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process
• Establishes and maintains a positive and inclusive classroom environment conducive to learning with clear expectations, routines, and procedures for student behavior
• Uses proactive, positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behavior
• Communication & Family Engagement:
• Communicates effectively with students, parents, and other professionals on a regular basis regarding students progress, behavior, and upcoming events
• Builds trust and rapport with students, families, and colleagues to effectively support student achievement and growth
• Collaborates with parents to support students learning at home and encourage parental involvement in school activities
• Social-Emotional Learning & Student Relationships:
• Models and teaches empathy, active listening, respect, conflict resolution, peer mediation, and restorative practices when appropriate
• Fosters a safe, supportive classroom environment where students feel valued, understood, and emotionally secure
• Identifies early signs of emotional, behavioral, or social challenges and collaborates with the school counselor, school administrator, and support team as needed

Intended Outcomes and Success Measures:

• Students with IEPs make measurable academic and/or behavioral progress based on their individual goals as evidenced through progress monitoring data
• IEPs are implemented with fidelity, and services are delivered as documented
• IEPs are developed, updated, and reviewed in accordance with timelines and legal standards
• Documentation is thorough, accurate, and submitted on time (100% of IEPs completed by due dates)
• IEPs include clear, measurable goals aligned to student needs
• Services and accommodations documented as being delivered
• Regular, productive communication with general education teachers, related service providers, and families
• Co-planning and support are evident in inclusive settings
• General education teachers report consistent support and communication with Special Education staff
• Instruction is tailored to student needs using individualized strategies, accommodations, modifications, and evidence-based strategies
• Evidence-based practices (e.g., direct instruction, scaffolding) are used regularly
• Students receive proactive behavioral interventions and supports that foster growth and independence
• Behavior intervention plans (BIPs) are followed and monitored
• Families feel informed and included in the IEP process (via surveys or meeting feedback)
• Professional learning and training practices provided by the school and/or district are applied and implemented with fidelity
• Teachers are responsive to the data and feedback provided by administrators and coaches, and adjust instructional practices to best meet student needs
• Effective instructional strategies are in place to maximize engaged student learning time and minimize disruptions and lost instructional time

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and current Wisconsin DPI teacher licensure with a certification in Early Childhood Special Education (1809) or Cross-Categorical Special Education License (1801)
• Prefer at least one year of teaching/working with individuals with disabilities in an educational setting
• Must be creative, flexible, tech-savvy, and ready to be part of a team
• Must possess an understanding of Special Education IEP development
• Must possess strong oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to work independently with little direct supervision, work as part of a team, accept responsibilities, and be self-motivated
• Must display effective multi-tasking and time management skills
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must be able to move around the classroom and school environment, including bending, kneeling, standing, walking, going up and down stairs, and sitting for extended periods of time
• Must be able to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects such as educational materials or classroom supplies
• Must be able to monitor student safety and physically assist students when necessary (e.g., guiding younger students, supporting classroom transitions)
• Must be able to operate computers, classroom technology, and teaching tools and to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers (typing and/or writing)
• Must be able to receive and respond to oral communication
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced educational setting
• Must be able to work schedule generally follows the school calendar and may include morning arrival and/or after-school responsibilities (e.g., meetings, family nights, or other school events)
• Must be able to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff, students, and the community
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent human relations and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner