Lead Teacher for Special Education (Reading)

Bedford County Public Schools

Job Title: Lead Teacher for Special Education (Reading)

Terms of Employment: 10 Months

Pay Grade: Teacher

Job Summary:

To assist teachers in improving the quality of English instruction delivered to all special education students and to assist compliance monitoring in accordance with state and federal special education regulations.

Essential Duties:

• Provide instructional coaching in the use of evidence-based reading instruction and interventions aligned with the Science of Reading.
• Support special education teachers in developing reading goals and delivering specially designed instruction aligned with IEPs.
• Serve as the division's Dyslexia Advisor, in accordance with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) regulations.
• Coach and provide guidance to teachers and paraprofessionals in the implementation of structured literacy programs.
• Deliver professional development related to dyslexia, structured literacy, phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Collaborate with reading specialists, interventionists, and general education teachers to promote inclusive reading practices.
• Review and interpret data to monitor student progress and recommend instructional adjustments.
• Support compliance with dyslexia legislation, Child Find procedures, and special education eligibility requirements.
• Stay current on research and legislation related to reading instruction, dyslexia, and literacy development (VLA).
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze assessment and progress-monitoring data to inform instruction.
• Skilled in designing and delivering impactful professional development.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities.
• Understanding of special education laws, instructional best practices, and reading pedagogy.
• Support and participate with the Special Education Department to include division-wide training sessions (ie. New Teacher Trainings, School-Based Trainings, etc)

Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications:

Requires five (5) years of teaching experience. A Reading Specialist endorsement is preferred. Must demonstrate evidence of involvement in school activities and committees involving leadership responsibilities beyond those required in the classroom. Excellent organizational and communication skills are required. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, administrators, community, students and others. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

Physical Demands:

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer, and to perform required tasks; see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal levels, speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly; physical agility to lift 25 to 50 pounds; to bend, to stoop, to sit on the floor, to climb stairs, to walk and to reach overhead.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment):

None.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Bedford County Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Bedford County Schools to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator or supervisor. Bedford County Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time without prior notice.