Special Education Teacher - Elementary

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
• Valid Alabama certification in the appropriate area.
• Must meet the No Child Left Behind Act regulations and requirements.
• Must meet background clearance requirements as specified by Alabama statutes and State Board of Education regulations.

• Facilitate mainstreaming and opportunities for inclusion.
• Develop behavior intervention plans as needed to help students develop socially accepted behavior and to achieve academically.
• Establish and use behavior management techniques which are appropriate, effective and consistent with the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Provide leadership for staffings and IEP meetings.
• Work with general education teachers to accommodate curriculum as needed when special needs students are assigned to their classes.
• Keep abreast of federal and state laws and regulations as they pertain to special education.
• Comply with policies, procedures, and programs relating to special education.
• Create or select long-range plans based on a review of system and state curriculum priorities, student profiles and instructional priorities.
• Define goals and objectives for unit and daily plans.
• Develop or select instructional activities which foster active involvement of students in the learning process.
• Identify specific intended learning outcomes which are challenging, meaningful and measurable.
• Plan and prepare a variety of learning activities considering individual student’s culture, learning styles, special needs and socio-economic background.
• Plan and prepare lessons and instructional strategies which support the school improvement plan and the system mission.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum content.
• Provide quality work for students which is focused on meaningful, relevant and engaging learning experiences.
• Select, develop, accommodate and/or adapt materials and resources which support learning objectives and address students’ varying learning styles, backgrounds and special needs.
• Sequence content and activities appropriately.
• Use appropriate material, technology and resources to help meet learning needs of all students.
• Create a learning climate that is challenging yet non-threatening.
• Establish and maintain a positive and safe learning environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process.
• Apply principles of learning and effective teaching in instructional delivery.
• Assist students in assessing, interpreting and evaluating information from multiple sources.
• Communicate high learning expectations for all students.
• Maintain academic focus by using a variety of motivational techniques.
• Maintain instructional momentum with smooth and efficient transitions from one activity to another.
• Provide appropriate instruction and accommodations for students with special needs including special education students and students who have limited proficiency in English.
• Provide instruction on safety procedures and proper handling of materials and equipment.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies appropriate for teaching students from diverse backgrounds with different learning styles and special needs.
• Use appropriate techniques and strategies to enhance the application of critical, creative and evaluative thinking capabilities of students.
• Develop and use assessment strategies to assist the continuous development of learners.
• Encourage self-assessment by students and assist them in developing plans for improving their performance.
• Monitor learning activities, providing feedback and reinforcement to students.
• Provide feedback to students about the appropriateness of responses and quality of work with a focus on improving student performance.
• Use ongoing assessment to monitor student progress, verify that learning is occurring and adjust curriculum and instruction.
• Ensure that student growth and achievement are continuous and appropriate for age group, subject area and/or student program classification.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional units and teaching strategies.
• Interpret and use data for diagnosis, instructional planning and program evaluation.
• Revise plans based on student needs.
• Establish and use behavior management techniques which are appropriate and effective.
• Establish routines and procedures and work with students on consistently following them.
• Foster student responsibility, appropriate social behavior, integrity, valuing of cultural diversity, and respect for self and others by role modeling and learning activities.
• Collaborate with students, parents, school staff and other appropriate persons to assist in meeting student needs.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with other professionals, students, parents and community.
• Communicate, in understandable terms, individual student progress knowledgeably and responsibly to the student, parents and professional colleagues who need the information.
• Provide accurate and timely information to parents and students about academic performance and behavior of students.
• Recognize overt indicators of student distress or abuse and take appropriate intervention, referral, or reporting actions.
• Maintain contact with appropriate community resources and law enforcement agencies that can provide needed services.
• Assist others in acquiring knowledge and understanding of particular area of responsibility.
• Work with other teachers in curriculum development, special activities, and sharing ideas and resources.
• Assist in implementation of school rules, administrative regulations and School Board policy.
• Develop routines and efficient techniques for minimizing time required for administrative and organizational activities.
• Organize materials for efficient distribution and collection.
• Manage materials and equipment effectively.
• Organize procedures, practices, materials, and routines for the effective use of instructional time and for the completion of administration activities.
• Establish and maintain efficient record keeping procedures.
• Maintain a clean, attractive, and organized learning environment.
• Use time effectively.
• Instruct and monitor the work of volunteers and aides when assigned.
• Act in a professional and ethical manner and adhere to professional standards at all times.
• Demonstrate attention to punctuality, attendance, records and reports.
• Exercise appropriate professional judgment.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and other professional information.
• Support school improvement initiatives by active participation in school activities, services and programs.
• Conduct a personal assessment periodically to determine professional development needs with reference to specific instructional assignment.
• Develop and implement a professional development plan annually in accordance with state and system requirements.
• Engage in continuing improvement of professional knowledge and skills.
• Keep abreast of developments in instructional methodology, learning theory, curriculum trends and content.

Alabama State Board of Education