Special Education Teacher-Life Skills

Position: Special Education Teacher-Life Skills

Department/Campus: Special Programs

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Immediate Supervisor(s): Principal

Pay Grade: Per Compensation Plan

Days Employed: Per Compensation Plan

• 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, prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels and prerequisite skills
• Document student progress and maintain data to prepare ARD paperwork and make recommendations
• Work in a self-contained low-incidence-disability (LID) classroom as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate, with required special education endorsements for assignments
• Early Childhood Certification for Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
• Demonstrated instructional competency in the core academic subject area assigned

• Knowledge of a variety of disabilities and the special needs of students
• Knowledge of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal-setting process, data collection requirements, relevant supplements, and implementation
• Specific knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction to meet individual learner needs and meet STAAR/STAAR-Alternate assessment requirements to promote student outcomes
• Specific knowledge of specialized instructional techniques such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), early childhood development, positive behavior support, transition and development of functional vocational plans, etc, as applicable to the students assigned to promote student growth and development
• Specific knowledge of appropriate de-escalation and behavioral intervention strategies for working with students with problematic behaviors (such as specific social skills curriculum, Restorative Discipline, Capturing Kids Hearts, or Why Try)
• Advanced knowledge of Strong organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills

• At least one year of student teaching or an approved internship

• Implement the components of the specially designed instruction outlined in the IEPs in a pull-out setting based on student needs and special education requirements as outlined in the district, state, and federal guidelines
• Maintain all required paperwork and documentation related to individual student-level data, progress on academic, behavioral, and/or functional skills instruction and IEP progress monitoring data, grades, attendance records, and other classroom management responsibilities for record keeping (PEIMS, ARD, transition, IEP, and behavioral requirements)
• Follow all DISD operating guidelines that are relevant to the position, including, but not limited to, Case Manager Duties, IEP Access, and Implementation, Accessible Instructional Materials, Extended School Year Services, Discipline, FERPA, IEP Goals and Objectives, 10 Critical Components, CBI, Student Records, Documentation of Special Education, Modification/Accommodation/Specially Designed Instruction
• Implement an instructional, therapeutic, and/or skill development program employing a variety of instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect an understanding of all assigned student’s individual disabilities, academic, behavioral, and functional needs
• Use tools to promote student communication including core boards, assistive and student-specific technology, response, and voice output in the teaching/learning process
• Responsibly maintain assistive devices for assigned students
• Work cooperatively with related service staff (such as OT, PT, Speech, etc.) and district staff to support student needs in the classroom and school setting
• Consult with campus staff to support student’s academic, behavioral, and/or social needs as addressed within the IEP
• Assist classroom teachers to modify curricula for special education students in general education settings
• Use data to determine and address each…