Special Education 3rd Grade Instructional Teacher

JOB SUMMARY:
This position provides instruction and other educational support such as case management to special needs students and assisting them in their academic and social development.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Required: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with LBS1 Endorsement registered in Lake County (Region 34).
Preferred: 3 years of special education teaching experience.
Preferred: Ideal candidate has experience working with students who may exhibit challenging behaviors and require positive adult-student relationships, positive feedback, and a structured classroom environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Considerable knowledge of current best practices, laws, including due process and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and interventions regarding the education of special needs students;
2. Considerable knowledge of specific disabilities and familiarity with common children's mental health disorders, as well as specific strategies/interventions to use in the classroom;
3. Knowledge of child development;
4. Knowledge of educational philosophy, teaching methods and approaches, and currently researched best practices and strategies;
5. Knowledge of educational testing;
6. Knowledge of learning theory, and students' learning styles and needs, both academic and affective;
7. Knowledge of Response to Intervention (RtI) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS);
8. Skill in accommodations and adaptations for visual impairments, including reading and writing Braille, using low-vision devices, and utilizing assistive technology for vision impairments is required for some positions;
9. Skill in classroom and behavior management;
10. Skill in interpersonal relations, especially regarding working as a member of a team;
11. Skill in interpersonal relationships, and the ability to work with students and staff in stressful situations;
12. Skill in organization, and in verbal and written communications;
13. Skill in signing, cued speech, and auditory-verbal areas is required for some positions;
14. Skill in the five real-life transition areas is required for some positions;
15. Skill in transitional service planning and remedial instruction;
16. Skill in utilizing computer technology for educational purposes, including word processing;
17. Skill in working with students having a wide range of disabilities;
18. Ability to apply the principles of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Response to Intervention (RtI);
19. Ability to be flexible regarding meeting the changing needs of students, as well as the varying modifications to District and State mandates;
20. Ability to create a structured and efficient working environment for students;
21. Ability to develop and update curriculum, lesson plans and associated materials necessary to meet the unique needs of the special education students;
22. Ability to develop relevant assessment tools, and integrate the results of the assessments into instructional units;
23. Ability to teach a variety of students, with varying disabilities, a variety of classes;
24. Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

1. Attends various meetings, such as staff, building, parent, team and case management;
2. Communicates and provides consultation with team members, parents and guardians, the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL), and other outside agencies, regarding students, their interventions, medications, and programmatic needs;
3. Develops data collection and data management systems; entering data into proprietary and other computer databases; analyzing data, identifying student needs, and recommending quarterly classes based upon individual student needs;
4. Develops or utilizes assessment tools and progress reports, including the Illinois Interactive report cards;
5. Develops positive and trusting relationships with students; counseling students and reviewing transition activities with students; and providing job coaching for students regarding their community job placement activities;
6. Develops, adapts and implements curriculum and lesson plans and aligns curriculum with academic standards;
7. Ensures that teams are utilizing concepts of least restrictive environment and best practices with students;
8. On occasion, deals with student transportation issues such as transporting students in school vehicles, and serving as a contact regarding student problems on the school bus;
9. Participates in staff development activities;
10. Provides direct instruction using a variety of techniques including individualized instruction, lectures, team teaching, hands-on formats and other instructional strategies;
11. Provides for the management of student behavior, including implementing disciplinary procedures. Assists with the development of individualized intervention plans; writing and implementing conditional procedures; and modeling specific strategies for other instructional staff;
12. Provides for the safety of students including extreme weather, transportation, and unknown personnel; supervising students in building and on school grounds in areas other than the classroom, such as playgrounds, and as students board and disembark from school buses;
13. Works with Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) teams in the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEP); providing for IEP management and reevaluation; assisting with goal writing in accordance with regulations and procedures; and setting up and participating in IEP conferences;
14. May orders supplies and materials related to curriculum and instruction;
15. May provide in-service training to other staff;
16. May serve as a case manager with regard to transition planning and plans at the Middle School and High School levels;
17. Performs other related duties as required.

 
Application Procedure:
Apply online at http://www.applitrack.com/rlas/onlineapp/default.aspx