Special Education Teacher

Position Overview

HCA seeks a skilled and compassionate individual to join our Education department as a Special Education Preschool Teacher. The ideal candidate will value developing meaningful, long-term relationships with the individuals and families we serve.

Under the general supervision of the Education Director, teach educationally and/or physically challenged students both academic and life processes skills. Responsible for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities in an innovative educational setting based on IEP Goals and established performance standards and best practices.

There is a sign-on bonus of up to $1,500 for this position if certified and $750 if uncertified.

HCA: not just a job opportunity but an opportunity to make a difference.

• Evaluate and assess children using standardized instruments and observations for the development of an education plan for each student.
• Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, behavioral, physical, and social/emotional development.
• Responsible for compliance with the student’s IEP.
• Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques such as multisensory learning and repetition to reinforce learning and meet students’ varying needs and interests.
• Utilize special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification, positive reinforcement, modeling, and redirection.
• Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
• Maintain a safe, well-organized, and academically stimulating learning environment appropriate to the needs of the students.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Observe and evaluate children’s performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or related field
• Meets NYS Special Education Certification Requirements
• Experience in Early Childhood Education

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood.
• Ability to apply and integrate academic knowledge with the provision of special education.
• Knowledge of ethical and legal practices and the New York State Education Dept.’s Division of Professional Licensing.
• Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and specific diagnoses. Understand and respect the unique needs of children and their families.
• Demonstrates energy and enthusiasm for working with children.
• Demonstrate appropriate/professional interpersonal skills with agency personnel, children, and their families
• Communicates with staff, parents, and physicians verbally and in writing in a clear ethical, and professional manner.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with strong collaboration skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, including a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to make quick and independent decisions in response to changing conditions.
• Demonstrates motivation to augment the current level of knowledge and practice through participation in continuing education courses, as required by the New York…