Special Education Teacher
The Valley Day School
- Morrisville, PA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Instructional:
- Responsible for the design and implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) within deadlines for each student assigned to the classroom
- Responsible for assessing the functioning level of each student and for developing and implementing goals and objectives
- Responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the program and participating in each student's interdisciplinary IEP team meeting
- Prepares and implements daily written lesson plans
- Develops and implements a variety of formal and informal teaching methods and techniques as determined to be appropriate for each student in accordance with the approved IEP and student assessments
- Uses objective data collection systems and approved progress monitoring systems to help ensure that students are making adequate progress on IEP goals and objectives
- Devises and obtains instructional materials and assures the proper maintenance of these materials
- Directs activities of instructional aides and assures implementation of established instructional procedures
- Communicates with students' guardian/caretaker(s) on a weekly basis (at minimum) to inform them of and support student progress
- Completes all required paperwork in accordance with Valley Day School policies and procedures, in a timely manner
- Behavioral:
- In collaboration with the Clinical Team, develops and implements individual student behavioral programs
- Maintains a positive, safe, healthy, and controlled learning environment; ensures supervision of all assigned students
- Models positive behavior and interactions; adheres to all Valley Day School policies and procedures
- Training:
- Attends and participates in team meetings and faculty meetings as requested and/or scheduled
- Attends and participates in training in Valley Day practices and procedures, as well as ongoing professional development, and applies training to professional duties
- Participates in training in Safe Crisis Management and applies training to respond to urgent student situations to deescalate behavioral problems
- Other:
- Serves as a mandated reporter of child abuse/neglect under PA state law, for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the students
- Maintains the confidentiality of students and their families/guardians
- Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the building and teaching team
- Possession of a current Pennsylvania Professional Certificate in Special Education (Accepted certifications include: Special Education PK-8, Special Education 7-12, Special Education PK-12, or Special Education N-12.)
- Responsible for maintaining this certification and for maintaining and developing professional skills by participating in appropriate training sessions and/ or courses
- Demonstrated ability in written and oral communication
- Experience in developing and implementing Special Education programs and classroom management for students with developmental disabilities
- Experience in developing and writing Individual Education Programs (IEPs)
- Knowledge of and experience with the Danielson Framework
- Current CPR/First Aid certification
- An appreciation and understanding of instructional technology
- High tolerance for loud, disruptive, and sometimes provocative student behavior
- Ability to maintain a positive and constructive attitude under stressful situations
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs., be agile, physically pursue students on foot, stand for several hours at a time, physically restrain, bend, squat, stretch, and reach
- Must be able to implement and perform Safe Crisis Management techniques to respond to student behaviors