Special Education Teacher- Uplift Ascend High (23-24)

Mission Statement:

Uplift’s mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire in students a life-long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.

Equity Vision Statement:

Uplift Education proactively engages scholars, families, and staff members to thrive as their authentic selves and partner in the journey required to identify, address, and correct existing and potential inequities.

Summary:

Provide special education students with appropriate learning activities and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Develop student ability level instructional materials through modified curriculum and prepared lesson plans. Conduct work in self-contained, team, departmental or itinerant capacity as necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

School Responsibilities

• Arrives at school 15 minutes before carpool and is available for assigned duties
• Stays at school until time designated by School Director or as business necessitates
• Participates in school-wide and individual professional development, including the 2 -3 week summer session
• Attends and participates in all staff meetings
• Performs necessary duties including but not limited to bus, morning lunch, and afternoon duties
• Chaperones field lessons and field trips
• Communicates with all staff
• Reports to appropriate administrators
• Abides by all state and federal mandates in reporting sexual or physical abuse and neglect
• Upholds the code of conduct and all school policies
• Maintains and supports a positive professional school culture
• Models behavior within the code of conduct
• Supports and follows directives of campus administrators

Instructional Strategies

• Work in conjunction with students, parents and other members of staff to develop IEPs through the ARD Committee process for each student assigned.
• Design, write and use instructional, therapeutic or skill development program for assigned students and ensure written plan is available for review.
• Ensure comprehension of learning styles and student needs are met through creation and implementation of appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials and equipment.
• Collaborate with classroom teacher on student IEP to ensure all modifications are met and help special education students in regular class when appropriate.
• Participate in ARD Committee meetings on an ongoing basis.
• Design instructional activities by using data from students learning styles assessment.
• Ensure IEP guidelines are met when presenting subject matter.
• Use an assortment of media and techniques to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
• Produce and oversee the teacher aide and volunteer assignments.
• Employ technology practices to strengthen the instructional process.

Growth and Development

• Develop formal and informal assessments to evaluate student success.
• Oversee or ensure personal care, medical care and feedings of students as stated in IEP.
• Manage and care for all extracurricular duties as assigned.
• Serve as an example for students; support mission of charter.

Classroom Management

• Prepare classroom to enhance learning and aid in the physical, social, and emotional development of the students.
• Control student behavior and implement discipline plan. This includes handling crisis situation and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
• Collaborate with the classroom teachers regarding student behavior management programs according to IEP.
• Collaborate with charter and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical and personal needs of student.
• Ensure necessary and reasonable measures are taken to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Provide input on books, equipment and material selection.

Communication

• Ensure good communication rapport with parents, students, principals and teachers through conferences.
• Create and maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents and community members.
• Present information accurately through clear communication skills.

Other

• Enrich job skills through professional development activities.
• Keep up to date and abide by federal, state and charter policies for special education teachers.
• Gather, manage and file all reports, records and other documents required.
• Be active in faculty meetings and assist in staff committees as required.
• Assist scholars with toileting needs as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position provides oversight to Teacher’s Aide. Successful candidates carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B. A./ B.S.) from an accredited college or university required. Must have a Texas Teacher Certification with required special education endorsements for assignments or be able to obtain such. Spanish speaking is a plus.

Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and apply common sense understanding and to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to set priorities. Ability to communicate with all levels of personnel, students, and parents.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook). Ability to use basic office equipment. The ability to learn and use other software as necessary.

Safety Duties & Responsibilities

Every employee of the School has an obligation to know our safety rules and procedures; to teach what they know to others; to recognize unsafe actions and situations; to warn others of unsafe situations; to react to emergency situations and to report hazardous or unsafe practices to those in a position to correct them.

Physical / Mental Demands

The physical demands described below 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. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use the wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.

Work Environment

The work environment is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The environment requires close proximity to other employees, frequent interruptions, extended periods of time viewing a computer screen, and noise levels from moderate to high. There may be activity from other employees and students of a distracting nature.

Other Qualifications

Satisfactory criminal records check, pre-hire and annually thereafter, if applicable. Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization.

Modifications of Duties & Essential Functions

Uplift Education retains the right to change and/or modify the duties and essential functions of this position at any time. This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

Starting Salary: $60,000

High Needs Subject Stipend: $4,000

Application Procedure:

Apply online

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Uplift Education is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state or local law. 

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