Teacher, Special Education (Wagar/Niedermeier)

Qualifications:

• Achieved, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree
• Hold a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsements in area(s) of teaching assignment(s)
• • grade level appropriate certification
  • endorsement in Special Education
• Successful teaching experience preferred; not required
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills with colleagues
• Willingness to learn, acquire, and apply new skills and knowledge
• Evidence of adaptability and problem-solving skills

Essential Functions and Duties:

Ability to Plan and Prepare Instructional Tasks

• Utilize a variety of assessment tools
• Administer, record and track data of student assessment with the counselor and building administrator
• Maintain records of student progress, growth and development
• Participate in child study meetings when necessary
• Regularly report student progress, concerns, changes to the building principal
• Maintain accurate attendance records as directed
• Plan instructional tasks that are meaningful and related to learning goals

Provide Instruction to Students

• Implement district curriculum
• Maintain a strong instructional focus utilizing the elements of effective instruction
• Communicate a high level of expectation to students
• Communicate clear learning goals to students

• Adapt instruction to meet the needs of all students
• Interact positively with student groups
• Integrate thinking processes into real-life applications
• Address various learning styles
• Sequence content at an appropriate pace
• Use appropriate level questioning to promote understanding
• Relate lesson content to prior and future learning
• Require students to summarize information in written and/or verbal form
• Appropriately recognize and reinforce individual student effort
• Represent knowledge/information non-linguistically through a variety of methods
• Require students to analyze and apply knowledge
• Create meaningful cooperative classroom team building activities
• Display passion and optimism; inspire, respect, and express enthusiasm, enjoyment, and humor for teaching; expect students to enjoy learning

Provide Effective Classroom Environment

• Establish appropriate classroom rules and procedures that are clearly understood by all students
• Effectively and consistently enforce rules and follow procedures
• Redirect students naturally and immediately without disrupting others
• Be well-organized and have all materials, equipment, etc., ready for immediate use
• Carry out smooth and effective transitions from one activity to another
• Maximize time on purposeful instructional tasks
• Begin and end class periods with focus on learning
• Establish a positive learning environment
• Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrate presentation skills

Participate in Professional Growth Opportunities

• Participate in ongoing professional growth provided by the district
• Participate in school/professional and /or community organizations or events
• Seek professional development outside the organization for continued growth
• Maintain certification and endorsement renewals timely
• Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals
• Set and achieve challenging goals; try new things; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others
• Prioritize and plan work activities; use time efficiently; plan for additional resources; set goals and objectives; organize and schedule other people and their tasks; develop realistic action plans
• Adapt to changes in the work environment; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support organizational goals and values; benefit the organization through outside activities

Demonstrate Professionalism

• Is consistently at work and on time;
• Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent;
• Arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Treats people with respect; keep commitments; work with integrity; behave ethically; upholds organizational values
• Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions, with research/proof to back-up those decisions; includes appropriate people in decision making process; make timely decisions
• Approach others in a tactful manner;
• React well under pressure;
• Treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position;
• Accept responsibility for own actions;
• Follow through on commitments
• Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspire and motivate others to perform well; effectively and positively influence actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, parents, and students
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences in accordance with district policies
• Use of electronic communication such as Twitter, Facebook, or other forms of social media will be conducted professionally and respectfully to self and others

• Follow the district and building policies and procedures
• Know and understand your contract
• Support the district goals
• Perform other duties as assigned by district or building administrators

Work Provisions

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.