Life Skills Teacher

JOB GOALS: To teach functional academic and daily living skills to moderately and severely disabled students by performing the following duties:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Plan curriculum, lessons and other instructional activities according to the achievement level of students.

• Work with parents, administrators, psychologists, testing specialists, and others to develop individual educational programs for students at different learning ability levels.

• Instruct students in functional academic subjects and daily living skills utilizing various teaching techniques for students with moderate and severe disabilities.

• Instruct students in daily living skills, such as independent economic self-efficiency, hygiene, safety and food preparation.

• Observe, evaluate, prepare data, and report on progress of students.

• Meet with parents to provide support and guidance in using community resources.

• Administer and interpret results in ability and achievement tests when needed.

• Carry out goals and activities set up by/with support staff such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language pathologist.

• Instruct, train, and work with paraprofessionals; evaluate paraprofessionals annually in coordination with the program coordinator.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Four-year college or university degree. Valid teaching license with required level certification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively before groups of children, parents or employees of the school organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILL:

Ability to work with and apply mathematical concepts appropriate for grade level content required.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATION:

Certification by the State of Indiana in appropriate teaching area(s).

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 the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee should be able to use the following machines, tools, equipment, and work aids which may be representative, but not all inclusive, of those commonly associated with this type of work: computer, pen; pencil; Promethean Board; projection equipment; public address system; tape recorder; charts; diagrams; examinations; manuals; maps; publications; reference books; textbooks.

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 the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Number of days per certified contract. Salary is determined by identifying experience and degree per the certified salary schedule.

EVALUATION:

Evaluation as described in the staff evaluation document.