EDUCATION SPECIALIST jobs in Great Falls, MT

Lewistown School District #1

Job Description

Job Title:               SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE TEACHER

FLSA Status:         Certified Position

Reports To:           Building Principal/Superintendent of Schools      

Prepared By:         Pat Baker

Prepared Date:     May 23, 2000

Approved By:        Dale Lambert

Revised Date:        May 26, 2005

SUMMARY:  To provide for each child placed in the resource room an instructional program that will implement the long-range goals and objectives of the Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Other duties may be assigned

• Work closely with regular classroom teachers with whom Resource Room students are placed.  Advise the teachers on the strengths and limitations of students and aid in differentiated instruction to meet student needs.
• Develop materials and techniques to accommodate students with intellectual limitations, physical, neurological and perceptual impairments, and emotional problems.
• Maintain systematic follow up contact with staff involved in student program.
• Evaluate student progress on a continuing basis both formally and informally and summarize the results in written reports.
• Maintain frequent contact with parents by telephone or conference regarding student progress.
• Provide information for budget preparation and state and federal reports as requested by the building principal.
• Maintain accurate, complete reports as required by Special Education regulations and policy.
• Submit all referrals for special help to the Director of Special Services through the building principal.
• Monitors progress and grades in regular classroom in cooperation with regular teachers.
• Develop and implement transition plans in conjunction with the school counselors and adult service agencies.

The above performance responsibilities are not all-inclusive and may be altered or added to by the Principal, Superintendent of Schools or Board of Trustees.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - Supervision would be limited to Para Professionals assigned to this program and the preparation of the daily work schedule for the Para Professional.

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 - Bachelor's degree (B. S.) from four-year College or University with endorsement in Special Education (K-12).  Must have a valid Montana Teaching Certificate with endorsement in Special Education (K-12).

LANGUAGE SKILLS - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS - The work environment for instructors has increasingly become technology driven.  School District #1 expects staff to meet reasonable expectations in the use of computers and other technology, in and out of the classroom, and in the management of special education data.

REASONING ABILITY - 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here 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 job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS - Employees of Lewistown School District #1 must exhibit acceptable work habits and perform tasks in a professional manner by adhering to the following guidelines:  Maintain proper grooming and dress consistent with the type of task being performed; be regular in attendance and punctual for work; initiate tasks in a self-directed manner and perform work with a minimum of supervision; organize work and manage time to achieve efficiency and high quality of work; perform tasks neatly and accurately in accordance with desired quality and quantity; provide positive feedback to supervisor(s) for implementing ideas which will make the work assigned more effective and efficient; maintain self control and a friendly, outgoing disposition; and maintain confidentiality of related work matters as applicable.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE - Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment in School District #1.  Employees of Lewistown School District #1 must submit to a fingerprint criminal background check.  Any appointment will be contingent upon the results of the criminal background report received from the Department of Justice, which must be acceptable to the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion.

EVALUATION - Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Certified Personnel.