Special Education Teacher

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

The Accessible Education Teaching Model represents a change in the way time and expertise is used and will result in a renewed focus on student achievement and more individualized support for special education teachers and students with disabilities utilizing our unique curriculum. We expect that our Accessible Education Teacher of Record will spend their time in our school partnering with our growing learners with instructional strategies and provide instructional support to increase student achievement of our students.

Responsibilities (include, but not limited to):

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs):

• Develop and implement IEPs tailored to the needs of each student, ensuring they include research-based strategies and nature-based activities.
• Regularly review and update IEPs in collaboration with parents, other teachers, and specialists.

Outdoor Learning:

• Design and support outdoor educational activities that accommodate various disabilities.
• Utilize natural environments to teach academic and life skills.

Behavioral Support:

• Implement behavioral interventions that are effective in all settings.
• Monitor and support students behavioral needs during all activities.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with general education teachers, therapists, and families to ensure a cohesive approach to each childs education.
• Train and support other staff in incorporating special education strategies.

Adaptations and Accommodations:

• Modify activities to be accessible for students with physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments.
• Ensure safety and accessibility in all learning environments.

Professional Duties

• Keeps abreast of community services and resources; develops partnerships with parents, businesses/organizations, and other agencies in order to build awareness, develop support, and share resources
• Maintains knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws, including Dyslexia Law and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program. Incorporates policies and procedures in accordance with laws and regulations. Ensures that all practices in the district are legal and ethical for each student/family so that each child has the opportunity to achieve at a high level and be prepared for post-secondary success;
• Contributes to Child Study (MTSS) meetings
• Communicate effectively, and in a timely manner, with parents and guardians of students to address complaints, issues and concerns'
• Commit to continued professional development in providing exemplary outdoor education to children

Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:

• Highly-developed communications skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal savvy
• Results/action-orientation; project management skills
• Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Strong strategic analysis skills

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly-organized and committed to the vision and mission of TNS and the developing TNS Special Education Team. In addition, the following standards will generally define the successful incumbent:

• Master's degree preferred;
• Special Education certification;
• Working knowledge of federal and state special education rules, regulations, and practices (Article 7 and IDEA);
• Broad knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and methodology of special education;
• Working knowledge of Indiana special education policies, procedures and programs;
• Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet special education needs at each school;
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors;
• Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities;
• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment;
• Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise;
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively;
• Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy;
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence; and
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

The Accessible Education Teacher works directly with teachers and teaching assistants. This position works closely with the Head of Accessibility.