Job Title

Teacher Special Education 

Salary Scale

TCH

Location 

Southside Middle 

PSC Code 

See Below 

Reports To

Principal

Shift Type

Full Time/Exempt

General Statement of Job 

Under the direction of the Building Principal and Director of Special Education, the Licensed Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; Evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives; follows State mandated due process procedures and functions as IEP Manager to assigned students. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP. 
• Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.  
• Employs various teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.  
• Develops and implements annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.  
• Schedules team meetings and works cooperatively with child study team members and others in developing instructional goals and strategies.  
• Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP.  
• Creates a positive learning experience with emphasis in individualized instruction using appropriate sources including i-pads.  
• Serves as primary contact for the parent.  
• Conducts special education evaluations and reevaluations.  
• Provides direction, supervision and evaluation of educational assistants as directed.  
• Complies with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations.  
• Completes all district and state reporting requirements.
• Establishes and maintains student control and discipline in the classroom, school premises or during school activities.  
• Employs and implements a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures.  
• Collaborates and consults with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers etc.)  regarding the needs of students.
• Provides consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities.   
• Performs other comparable duties of a like or similar nature apparent or as assigned.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty area. 
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching of students with disabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of school rules, regulations and procedures; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior.
• Ability to deliver and articulate oral presentations and written reports.  
• Ability to effectively analyze needs and problems objectively.   
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, students, parents, staff, administration and the general public. 
• Perform all other related work delegated or required to accomplish the objectives of the total school program.  
• Knowledge of relevant technology including the use of technology such as i-pads to individualize instruction.  
• Meet professional teacher education requirements of school district and state. 
• Knowledge and skills in working with children with ADD and behavior and emotional disabilities.  
• Must have the ability and proven ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.

Essential Functions 

Physical Requirements:

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift, move and/or support up to 50 pounds (and/or up to adult size body weight with two-to-three person lift).  Position can require some degree of physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior.

Data Conception:  

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication:  

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.  Includes giving assignments and/or directions to workshop participants and receiving assignments and/or direction from the supervisor.

Language Ability: 

Requires the ability to read a variety of policies and procedures, evaluation materials, professional studies, etc. Requires the ability to prepare training materials, handbooks, schedules, reports, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: 

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in written, oral, mathematical, schedule or diagrammatic form, to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to apply influence systems in teaching staff members, to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.  Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: 

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions, and to teach employees. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages, including education theory.

Numerical Aptitude:  

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to utilize mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals, and to determine time.  Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: 

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:  

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery; to operate motor vehicles. 

Manual Dexterity: 

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament:  

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

Physical Communication:  

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Training And Education 

Requires a valid South Carolina teaching certificate or eligibility for South Carolina teaching certificate in teaching from an accredited institution in the appropriate special education area.  

Performance Evaluation Criteria 

Job Knowledge: 

Is knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of the Florence 1 Schools pertaining to specific duties of the Teacher.  Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.  Has knowledge of the organization of the department and of related departments and agencies.  Has the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information.  Has thorough knowledge of the subject area(s) assigned to teach; has skill in the interpretation of subject matter to the intellectual level of students taught.  Is able to create and present innovative, effective, developmentally appropriate course and lesson plans.  Has knowledge of the characteristics of the age group assigned.  Is able to establish and maintain positive relationships and work effectively with adults and students.  Is able to supervise, guide and support students with patience and kindness.  Is able to motivate students to participate in educational and extracurricular activities and to want to learn.   Is able to recognize signs of learning, physical, mental and social disabilities and take appropriate action.  Is able to provide assistance, support and/or skills development opportunities to parents as required.  Is able to perform job tasks professionally in an environment where discrimination and other public issues are constant concerns.  Has knowledge of and is able to use modern office practices and equipment, including computers.  Has knowledge of proper English usage, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling; has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing records, reports and correspondence.  Is able to read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.  Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to use independent judgment in performing tasks.  Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.  Is able to offer assistance to fellow employees as necessary.  Knows how to maintain effective relationships with co-workers, personnel of other departments, parents, students and members of the public through contact and cooperation.  Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry.  Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.  Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. 

Quality of Work:  

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.  Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility.  Maintains high quality communication and interaction with  all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:  

Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability:  

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work.   Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, District policy, standards and prescribed procedures.  Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:  

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.  Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:  

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability.  Strives to anticipate work to be done, and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:  

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.  Identifies problems or situations as they occur, and specifies decision objectives.  Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations.  Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors.  Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body as scheduled to ensure student safety and well-being.

Cooperation: 

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same.  Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc.  Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District. 

Relationships with Others:  

Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit.  Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees.  Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts.  Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints in order to establish and maintain good will.  Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work:  

Plans and organizes daily work routine.  Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology.  Avoids duplication of effort.  Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.  Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time.  Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.  

Safety and Housekeeping:  

Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards.  Ensures such standards are not violated.  Maintains a clean and orderly workplace. 

DISCLAIMER:  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Terms of Employment 

190 day work agreement. Salary and work year to be established by the district.

For Human Resources and Finance Department:

PCS CODES:   

60000: Teacher Autism SC    60001: Teacher EDSC     60002: Teacher PMD     60003: Teacher LDSC     60005: Teacher TMD      60007: Teacher Autism RS

60008: ODSC   70000: Teacher LDRS