Language-based Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher

Department: Special Education

FLSA Status (Exempt/Non-exempt): Exempt; Unit A

Reports to: Special Education Department Head / Principal

In compliance with state and federal laws, newton public schools is committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual's qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

SUMMARY: The Special Education Teacher provides an appropriate educational program for middle school students with special needs. This teacher may act as a case manager for a group of students, co-teach in a regular education department, teach a substantially separate subject area class, and support student acquisition of skills related to IEP goals. The teacher is also expected to maintain open communication with parents, regular education teachers, counselors, and housemasters, as well as contribute to the regular functioning and development of the Special Education Department, and fulfill other responsibilities as a member of the broader school community.

The Language-based Learning Disabilities Program at Oak Hill Middle School is a citywide partial inclusion program designed to be responsive to students with dyslexia and/or language-based learning disabilities. Students in the program require a highly structured, multi-sensory approach to instruction in order to support their reading, writing, listening, speaking, and organizational skills. The program provides access to grade level curriculum while controlling for volume and complexity of information. Program staff provide a combination of small group content instruction for English Language Arts and math, co-teaching for science and social studies, and small group academic strategies intervention. Candidates with a formal reading training (e.g. Wilson, Orton-Gillingham) and a background in language-based instruction are strongly preferred.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Requisite licensure as defined by the DESE
• Experience implementing all parts of the IEP process
• Knowledge of a wide range of disabilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to use technology effectively
• Ability to handle a multitude of varying and complex issues
• Believes in helping all students achieve their potential, including minority and low socio-economic students

Desired Qualifications:

• Additionally licensed in a regular education content area (Science, History, Math, English)

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (Not Limited To):

• Teach students specific skills and strategies to help them access curriculum
• Conduct IEP meetings and complete all related paperwork in a timely fashion
• Monitor student progress; revise IEP according to progress
• Co-teach in regular education content area, or teach substantially separate subject
• Prepare students for transition to post-high school life
• Communication with school personnel outside of the department and parents
• Attendance at departmental and school-wide meetings
• Consistent, reliable and punctual attendance is essential for supervision and instruction of the students
• Responsible for implementing "other job related duties" as needed

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

Work Environment:

• Majority of work is performed in a school/classroom environment. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the teacher is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The teacher is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch and/or kneel. Must be able to assist with student behavioral needs as necessary, including responding to students who are physically unsafe, using physical restraints as part of a de-escalation process, and moving furniture in response to a crisis situation.
• Regularly required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

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 the essential functions.