Early Childhood Special Education Teacher 2023-2024

ECSE Teacher,  Special Education

REPORTS TO:   Special Education Coordinator/Principal

DEPARTMENT: Special Education

POSITION OVERVIEW

Special School District (SSD) Early Childhood Special Education (ESCE) teachers are committed to providing an educational program that supports and empowers students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential. You will be expected to have and continue to develop your understanding of the special education process and individualized instruction. Through your engaging instruction, encouragement, and consistent nurturing of knowledge, you will be the key to each students’ success.

You should consider applying for this position if your values align with SSD's core values of equity, commitment, and collaboration and you believe every student deserves the resources and support required to help them learn. SSD staff are expected to understand and have a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and for that commitment to be evident in their work.

CLASSIFICATION

Exempt  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meets and instructs assigned learners in the locations and at the times designated
• Creates an environment that is developmentally appropriate and conducive to learning
• Establishes and communicates to the student clear objectives for lessons, centers, and projects
• Demonstrates lesson planning and other evidence of program preparation
• Teaches and models appropriate behaviors and self-regulation for all students
• Demonstrates knowledge of universals and implements those which are compatible within the physical space and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved
• Implements SSD and Partner District’s educational philosophy by selection of instructional goals standards and objectives as outlined by Missouri Early Learning Standards and IEP goals
• Strives to improve and maintain professional competence
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees if required
• Designs classroom environments and centers to meet students’ specific instructional needs
• Evaluates and orders materials necessary for instruction, and trains assistants and aides in their use
• Evaluates the progress of each learner assigned to caseload by conducting observations, data analysis and/or review written reports from the educational team
• May assist assigned students in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, lunch, snack, clean up, wash up, and toilet routines (including diapering when needed) 
• Utilizes learning aids, including multi-media and technology resources
• Implements research based intervention programs
• Leads and attends IEP meetings
• Completes partner district assessments, if required

Resource Utilization

• Takes reasonable and necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities

Collaboration

• Within reason, when required or requested, makes self available to students and parents outside the instructional day for education-related purposes
• In cooperation with the special education coordinator, plans, supervises, and provides input for evaluations for assigned teacher assistants and/or aides
• Meets and collaborates with members of the educational team, separately or in groups, to discuss and plan the individual special education program for each child who will receive instruction
• Communicates with parents of children receiving instruction and provide a home-school connection
• Recommends and evaluates instructional methods and/or strategies to be used
• Provides continuous support and information to educational team members
• Collaborates with partner districts

Compliance

• Develops and implements an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) to meet the student’s needs
• Regularly assesses students’ progress and provides written reports as required
• Maintains complete records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation
• Assists the administration in implementing district rules and policies on student conduct, develops and utilizes classroom universals on behavior and procedures, and maintains classroom management in the classroom
• Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary diagnostic team, if needed for re-evaluations
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree with specialization in special education
• Classroom experience preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Missouri Special Education Certification in appropriate area (Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical BD, LD, MR, SH, VI, HI, PI, Deaf/Blind, ECSE) required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and policy and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and before groups.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to collect and graph skill programming and behavior data, add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to problem-solve and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and/or oral diagram form.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and arms to handle, feel and reach.  The position requires the ability to accompany students anywhere on school premises.  The employee is frequently required to stoop or kneel and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.  Additionally, the employee must be physically able to implement all Board of Education Policies, District procedures, and to perform Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and techniques. The employee must be physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain student safety.  Yearly NCI training with participation in physical intervention strategies is a requirement for the job.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary 2023-2024 school year

Starting at $46,247 to $73,697 based on experience and education.  

Benefits

• Group benefits plans for medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Enrollment in Missouri public school retirement systems
• Staff Health Clinics
• DailyPay
• Paid holidays
• 13 PTO days per year
• Employee assistance program
• Healthcare spending account

EVALUATION

The employee will be evaluated annually.

EEOC STATEMENT

Special School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. To request an ADA Accommodation, please contact our Director of ADA and Accessibility for Staff 314-989-8299.

Board Approved Date: September 2002

Revised: October 2003, August 2009, July, 2010, February 2011, August 2013, April 2014, April 2022, June 2022, May 2023

Salary Schedule