QUALIFICATIONS:  Must hold a valid teacher certification in early childhood special education.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director for Early Learning 

Job Goal: 
Plans for and provides developmentally appropriate classroom instruction for preschool special education students ranging in age from three to five; assesses and encourages student progress, and manages the learning environment. Engages parents in supporting the developmental needs of children, and supervises the Teacher Assistant(s).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Training and/or experience teaching and working with preschool special education populations desirable.
• Must be able to work with preschool special needs students with a range of abilities including but not limited to deficits in: cognitive skills, behavior skills, social skills, self-help skills, motor impediment, and communication skills.
• Ability to manipulate, maneuver, and train as it pertains to adaptive equipment and/or special situations (re: wheelchairs, Ankle-foot orthoses, medically fragile).
• Must be a team player with a solid understanding of personal limitations and range of expertise, be committed to own personal growth and show evidence of previous satisfaction in working with families.
• Ability to manage time efficiently and have a high level of energy.
• High tolerance for paperwork, documentation and meeting federal and district, and local deadlines.
• Ability to meet the public and the parents in a professional manner.
• Ensure confidentiality of student records in order to protect students’ and parents’ privacy rights.
• Knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Word. Proficient computer skills. Ability to communicate via network e-mail.
• Must be available for program events and activities at scheduled times, which can include evenings and some weekends.
• Must have reliable transportation.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Preschool Special Education Teachers are responsible for carrying out the following functions for children in their classroom:
• Provides early childhood education to students enrolled in the program at times scheduled and according to local, state, and Early Reading First requirements.
• Collaborates in the development and implementation of weekly lesson plans based on curricula resources in conjunction with standards-based instruction in a self-contained or collaborative setting.
• Collaborates in the implementation of designated curriculum.
• Administers, collects and maintains ongoing child screening and assessments.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and appropriate records and file/update reports (Including IEP’s & data collection as specified by IEP)
• Maintains confidentiality of student and family information and maintains records in a locked cabinet or drawer.
• Models positive teaching and parenting strategies to parents.
• Attends and actively participates in scheduled Preschool Special Education and Office of Early Learning professional learning, other assigned meetings and activities that support growth in a wide variety of skills, including listening, goal setting, fostering independence, managing difficult situations, building trust, and other specialty related training.
• Communicates regularly and effectively with parents/guardians as well as young children using multiple communication methods while modeling the correct use of language, oral and written.
• Follows lines of communication.
• Provides parent/teacher conferences 2 times a year and is available to parents for additional conferences as needed.
• Maintains all files in a well organized manner and complies with timelines.
• Interacts in a professional manner with students and parents
• Works cooperatively with school administrators, support personnel, colleagues and parents.
• Engages in co-planning with team, therapists, and regular interns.
• Assembles participants and conducts IEP meetings for students on caseload, meeting timelines.
• Supervises and mentors students, classroom assistant, and interns.
• Provides adequate information and materials for substitute teachers.
• Assist families in setting family goals and implementation of services to achieve goals.
• Complies with local, state, and federal regulations and board of education policies.
• Implements and train accommodations and modifications as needed for each student.
• Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned.

 

TEACHING TASKS
I. Provides Instruction at an appropriate instructional level
II. Assesses and Encourages Student Progress
III. Manages the Learning Environment
• Maintains effective and safe physical setting for instruction.
• Maintains appropriate student behavior in the classroom.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Salary and work year to be according to the current salary schedule and the Professional Agreement. Days employed in excess of the established work calendar shall be payable at the employee's regular daily rate.

 

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of professional personnel.

 

Approved
Fort Zumwalt School District, O'Fallon, Missouri