Special Education Life Skills Teacher

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

We are looking for a dynamic Special Educator to join our community as our Life Skills teacher in our Special Education department. It is imperative that the candidate not only demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the high school team philosophy and the high school student but also embrace the inclusion model of instruction for all students.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Demonstrate knowledge of subject area
• Provides direct instruction in academic subjects, daily living skills, cognitive processing and appropriate social skill development.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of district and school curriculum goals
• Organize instruction around essential questions or core learning objectives; teach for understanding and/or mastery; provide students with practice and extension opportunities as needed. Communicate those goals to students, colleagues, and parents when necessary.
• Plan instruction based upon explicit goals regarding what students should know and be able to do
• Differentiating assessments based on each individual student plan. This may require developing alternative assessments.
• Create or provide learning experiences that develop students'' abilities and require the application of thinking skills
• Develop MCAS Alt Portfolios

Teaching All Students

• Provide direct support to students in a classroom by delivering instruction and ensuring learning through a variety of models and strategies.
• Develop measurable goals and objectives in all domains of learning
• Ongoing data collection and implementation of Behavioral Intervention Plans
• Develop and manage student schedules
• Consult with BCBA, Special Education and Regular Education teachers and related service providers (SLP, OT, & PT)
• Employ a variety of instructional strategies that consider individual learning styles and performance levels
• Ensure appropriate accommodations to the curriculum, lessons and learning environment.
• Design classroom activities and lessons with multiple levels so that all students both meet their IEP goals and can access the curriculum.
• Formally and informally assess the student learning (rather than relying solely on standardized curriculum) to create a comprehensive learning program.
• Set high expectations that are suitable based on student's needs.
• Create a classroom learning environment that is engaging, orderly, secure and appealing for students and in which mutual respect is practiced

Family and Community Engagement

• Build a partnership with families, encouraging their active participation in students' learning.
• Communicate student progress and development to parents/guardians

Professional Culture

• Conduct testing and write thorough reports for initial and three year evaluations
• Work collaboratively with general education teachers, grade-level teams and other staff, to plan, share student work and ensure that instruction is aligned with identified curriculum and standards.
• Carry out the school''s disciplinary code and procedures in a fair and just manner
• Participate in IEP and 504 meetings as required
• Attend staff, team, and department meetings as well as serve on staff committees as necessary
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve curriculum and instructional effectiveness for all students

Other duties as assigned by school administrators.