Job Description:  Teacher, Life Skills

Primary Purpose:

Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.  Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to match student ability levels.  Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignment

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area
• Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
• Knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction for special needs
• Effective communication skills

Experience:

• Student teaching, approved internship, or related work experience

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Instructional Strategies:

• Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the ARD committee process for each student assigned.
• Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
• Conduct assessment of student learning styles. Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
• Present subject matter effectively and according to guidelines established by IEP. Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media including technology to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on a regular basis.
• Participate in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional media.

Student Growth and Development:

• Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
• Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
• Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by campus principal.
• Consult district and outside resources people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.

Classroom Management and Organization:

• Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Manage student behavior and administer discipline including intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Plan and assign the work of teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and oversee completion.

Professional Growth and Other:

• Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
• Maintain professional relationships with parents, students, and colleagues.
• Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
• Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or other administrators that are consistent with the general requirements and qualifications for the position

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct the work of instructional aide(s).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

The working conditions described 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 and expectations.

• Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals, and other instructional equipment
• Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Frequent walking
• Lifting: May require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist non-ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment; may work prolonged or irregular hours May frequently be required to lift and/or move at least 50 pounds of materials, or move at least 50 pounds of materials, or lift children from wheelchairs onto changing tables, etc..
• Environment: Exposure to biological hazards
• Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress
• 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 will be made if necessary: May frequently be required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions. May frequently be required to deescalate physical aggression including the use of safe, non-harmful physical restraint procedures