Special Education Co-Teacher

Greenwich Public Schools is seeking a special education co-teacher for grade 4 at Cos Cob Elementary School.

Job Description:

The elementary special education co-teacher works cooperatively with the general education teacher to plan and present lesson plans, create assessments and make sure the needs of all students in the classroom are being met. While the focus may be on planning with special education students in mind, the goal of a co-taught classroom is to ensure that the special education students are included into the general education classroom. The focus of the elementary special education co-teacher is on scaffolding activities and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students, not just the special education students. The elementary special education co-teacher will provide IEP-mandated instruction and ensure that IEP goals are implemented in an environment with data collection serving as a basis for instruction. The elementary special education co-teacher must have the ability to develop and implement instructional and behavioral management strategies for students. The teacher must also have the ability to teach several academic areas, an understanding of development and implementation of individualized education plans, and an ability to administer and interpret a variety of academic and related assessment instruments pertaining to special education. Communication with other colleagues from various disciplines and with parents is essential to student success.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to students in a classroom by delivering instruction and ensuring learning through a variety of co-teaching models and strategies
• Work collaboratively with the general education co-teacher, teaching and grade-level teams and other staff, especially the instructional support team, to plan, share student work, and ensure that instruction is aligned with identified curriculum and standards
• Manage the classroom and individual student behavior to maintain an advantageous learning environment
• Prepare lesson plans that achieve clear objectives, use appropriate techniques, and serve the needs of all learners in the classroom
• Maintain accurate and complete records as required
• Conduct parent/teacher conferences
• Assess student learning on a continual basis and identify areas of intervention as needed
• Keep parents up-to-date of student progress through use of interim reports, report cards, and/or conferences
• Design instruction to meet the needs of all students through both individual and small group settings as needed
• Plan individual and group instruction to foster academic, social and emotional growth
• Design clear and specific learning assessments
• Maintain a positive learning environment that encourages open communication between the teacher and learner
• Maintain a positive school community image that encourages ethical student behavior
• Maintain ongoing communication with parents
• Prepare student education plans in consultation with parents and IEP team members
• Design instruction, both individual and small group, which parallels the general education curriculum
• Act as coordinator of IEP implementation with general education staff
• Monitor student progress, participating in review and revision of IEPs as appropriate
• Facilitate the independence of each student as learner
• Assist other professional staff in diagnosis of learning disorders, development of planned remediation, and evaluation of student progress
• Maintain appropriate student data and other records and submit reports as required by State and federal law
• Demonstrate ability to teach several academic areas
• Demonstrate knowledge of each subject(s) to be taught
• Demonstrate knowledge of human growth/development as related to the teaching-learning process
• Demonstrate knowledge of special education regulations and guidelines
• Assist in the selection of textbooks, equipment, and other education materials
• Establish and maintain professional relationships
• Participate in professional learning by attending seminars and workshops to improve instructional practice and positively affect student achievement

Qualifications

• Current CT Special Education Teacher certification, or certifiability, is required (e.g., #065)
• Elementary school special education teaching experience is preferred
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of special education