Substitute Teacher / Special Education

Job Description:

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Job Goal To render diagnostic, prescriptive and educational services and assistance in a variety of instructional settings to the professional team and to students with one or more disabilities who require specially designed instruction pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) (exceptional students); to create or assist in creating a flexible, age and grade-appropriate instructional program in a regular or virtual class environment favorable to student learning and personal growth; to establish appropriate effective rapport with students; to motivate students to develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for further education, employment or other post-secondary outcomes in accordance with each student's ability; and to establish appropriate, effective relationships with parents and with other staff members.

Essential Functions

• Attends Evaluation Report (ER) and Re-evaluation Report (RR) and IEP meetings, writes or assists with the development of ERs/RRs and IEPs for exceptional students. Facilitates securing information needed for such meetings or as a result of such meetings.

• Continually monitors and assesses the progress of each student to evaluate the student's progress toward achieving the educational goals and objectives set forth in the student's IEP and progress in the general curriculum.

• Uses appropriate diagnostic and evaluative methods to ascertain the effectiveness of an exceptional student's IEP. Identifies when modifications may be required to the IEP, additional evaluation may be warranted or further modifications to curriculum and teaching strategies could be used to address concerns about a student's progress. Promptly addresses or initiates contact with the individuals required to address such concerns and monitors progress and results.

• Assists with or provides appropriate modification to the general curriculum pursuant to each student's IEP.

• Assists with developing or develops lesson plans, instructional materials; assists with or provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the general curriculum to the needs of each student and to meet the requirements of the student's IEP. Researches and develops adaptations needed to deliver special education in a virtual setting to meet each student's needs. Prior to use of new technologies, uses and tests hardware and applications to ensure it works as smoothly as possible for intended uses.

• Assists with ways to use and uses technology, research based instructional methods, effective strategies, techniques and learning materials to enhance each student's progress toward meeting the goals and objectives of the IEP and to progress in the general curriculum.

• Provides support to regular education teachers and instructional and non-instructional assistants working with exceptional students. Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping exceptional students solve social, emotional, behavioral, and academic issues.

• Participates in case conferences about exceptional students. Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to discuss their child's progress and to interpret the school program and the student's IEP, ensuring they are consistently made aware of all means of contacting the teacher for this purpose.

• Demonstrates understanding of and abides by federal, state, and local school laws and regulations; mandated programs; District policies and administrative regulations. Reviews and abides by Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.

• Ensures all documentation related to a student's special education is complete, up to date and properly filed in accordance with District policies and practices.

• Provides vocational and pre-vocational services and assessments in connection with transition planning and students' transition programs.

• Selects and requisitions books and instructional aides; maintains required inventory records.

• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day or beyond the working day when involved in an extended field trip or learning activity.

• Administers group standardized assessments in accordance with district assessment program and as modified for particular exceptional students in their IEPs.

• Participates in curriculum development programs as required, faculty committees, and the sponsorship of student activities.