High School Functional/Life Skills Special Education Teacher

 

School of the Osage, in partnership with our students, families and community, will equip all learners to reach their maximum potential for a lifetime of success.

 

Type of Position

 

Category:                                       Certified

 

Reports to:                                   Building Principal

                                                         

Degrees required or preferred:

A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in Cross-Categorical Special Education.  A graduate degree and experience is preferred.  Valid Missouri Teacher Certification and/or appropriate Missouri Certification for academic field.

 

A valid Missouri teaching certificate and complete transcript(s) of college credit must be on file for each teacher before the beginning of each new school year. It is the duty of each teacher to possess a valid certificate that covers the academic year, (the teaching assignment/s and all other areas listed on the certificate). The teacher must assure that all professional development requirements and other DESE requirements are met to keep certification current.

 

Job Duties:

• Provide specialized instruction for students grades 9-12/age 21
• Design and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) focused on functional life skills, academics, social skills, communication, and vocational training  for students with cognitive/neurodevelopmental disabilities. This includes practical daily living skills, household management, food preparation, and safety awareness
• Develop community and school-based employment instruction opportunities for skill generalization
• Conduct individualized student assessments and interpret results
• Facilitate IEP meetings in order to develop appropriate goals and objectives
• Collaborate with general educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and parents to coordinate comprehensive support 
• Implement effective behavior management strategies
• Administer required MAP-A or EOC assessments per IEP designation
• Assess student progress using appropriate functional assessment tools and data collection methods
• Collect data daily/weekly with progress monitoring documentation every 3 weeks minimum
• Complete all required paperwork and meetings within established timelines
• Supervise and give guidance to all paraprofessional(s) assigned to your classroom or working with students on your caseload to implement instructional programs and provide student support
• Create and maintain a structured, positive learning environment accommodating diverse needs
• Maintain regular parent/guardian communication regarding progress and home strategies

Preferred Skills

• Experience with community-based instruction preferred
• Training in specialized methodologies relevant to the population
• Knowledge of transition planning and vocational training approaches
• Experience with data-based decision-making and progress monitoring
• Familiarity with sensory integration techniques

 

 

 Performance Expectations:   

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

 

1. Directly responsible to the principal of his/her building
2. Expected to develop lesson plans and instructional materials as part of a planned learning experience to motivate students
3. Responsible for organizing his/her classroom in a manner to assure optimal teaching and learning
4. Responsible for establishing all reasonable classroom rules and regulations for the conduct of the students
5. Responsible for the discipline of students, but shall consult with the Principal, when needed
6. Expected to manage instructional time effectively and maintain a high level of student time-on-task
7. Expected to monitor student performance in a variety of ways: oral, written, and other forms of informal and formal assessments
8. Expected to evaluate student academic growth, maintain accurate records, prepare progress and grade reports, and communicate frequently with parents on individual student progress
9. Maintain a school atmosphere in which character, self-reliance, responsible behavior, and a positive self-image are of prime importance
10. Complete all reports as required, including student evaluation, inventories, orders, curriculum work, and lesson plans
11. Attend faculty meetings, in-service meetings, team meetings, grade level/department meetings as required
12. Supervise students in out-of-class activities as required
13. Share in sponsorship of student activities and participate in faculty/community committees
14. Supervise teaching assistants, paraprofessionals, student teachers, and volunteers when applicable
15. Responsible for utilizing data and diagnostic information to develop and revise goals, objectives, and assessments to assure student needs are met at the appropriate level of difficulty
16. To contact parents routinely to discuss student’s successes and areas of concern
17. Expected to treat all students in a fair and equitable manner and interact effectively with students, co-workers, parents, and community members
18. Expected to pursue focused, job-embedded professional development activities; read professional journals; collaborate with peers; be involved in book study groups; and strive for continuous improvement
19. To understand and abide by the policies, procedures, and regulations of the school district/building
20. There are occasions where telework might increase district and student access to qualified employees, decrease absenteeism, be an appropriate accommodation for a disability or be a necessary alternative to closing district operations completely during an emergency. 
21. Other duties as assigned

 

Supervisory Duties:

Supervise students at all times

 

Skills:

Read, analyze and interpret professional journals, board policy, administrative procedures and forms and governmental regulations.

Complete forms, write reports and engage in written correspondence with parents.

Present information effectively and respond to questions.

Write clear and complete lesson plans.

 

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.

Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

 

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

Solve a variety of problems in many different situations.

Interpret instructions presented in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Apply knowledge of current educational theory and instructional techniques while presenting subject matter to students.

 

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

Identify needs and abilities of individual students and to adapt instructional methods accordingly.

Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents.

Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

 

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

Perform basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use. 

Use district software for recording grades and finding student information.

Utilize smart boards, projectors and other instructional technology provided by the district.

 

 PhysicalDemands

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 essential functions.

 

Compensation

 

Salary:                                Commensurate based on experience

 

Contract Type:                   9 months

 

Applicant must apply online at:  https://osage.cloud.talentedk12.com/hire/Index.aspx

 

As a political subdivision, employer, recipient of federal funds, and educational institution, the Board of Education is prohibited from, and hereby declares a policy against engaging in unlawful discrimination, including harassment creating a hostile environment, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its programs, activities, and with regard to employment. The Board is an equal opportunity employer.