Education Jobs in Tennessee

Reports To: Special Education Director, Assistant Special Education Director, and/or Principal of School

Qualifications: Hold a valid teacher’s license with Special Education Endorsement, experience in an inclusion setting is preferred, demonstrate English proficiency in oral and written English.

Purpose Statement: The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing instruction to students with special needs and will maintain required paperwork at federal, State, and local levels.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create and model a respectful learning environment.
• Effectively work with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Plan and implement a program of study and/or specially designed instruction following state and district goals, curriculum, and requirements to students identified with a broad range of disabilities.
• Consult with regular education teachers to adapt/modify regular classroom curriculum.
• Serve as case manager for services to students upon placement in the Resource Setting or Life Skills program.
• Coordinate the evaluation of students referred to special education (including both initial and three-year evaluations) with the district Intervention Team, prepare summary assessment reports and interpret assessments to determine student need and eligibility under IDEA.
• Participate in and facilitate the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible students with disabilities ensuring that each IEP is in compliance with all state and federal requirements including mandated deadlines.
• Ensure that eligibility and IEP meetings are scheduled, ensure that all mandated participants have been invited and are in attendance, and conduct meetings efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Inform parents/guardians of due process rights.
• Develop and use data-based progress-monitoring systems to track student performance.
• Collaborate with school staff to develop and implement behavior support plans and to monitor student progress toward goals of positive behavior.
• Manage time to complete required special education paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Observe special education processes and requirements including progress reporting, data collection, and other procedural work.
• Maintain accurate, complete and confidential records as required by law and district policy and administrative regulations.
• Work as part of the school team to fully implement Multi-Tiered Instruction (MTI).
• Work effectively and collaboratively with diverse students, staff and community populations.
• Train and coordinate work of Educational Assistants.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication with school staff and with parents/guardians concerning academic and behavioral progress of students.
• Assist school staff and administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student conduct, reinforce individual school’s plan for positive behavior support, develop reasonable rules for classroom behavior and utilize effective, proactive behavior management skills in all school settings.
• Assume responsibility for assigned duties, e.g., playground, lunchroom duty.
• Utilize technology as related to job responsibilities.
• Reflect upon your own teaching performance and accept and implement supervisory feedback to improve skills and services to students.
• Take primary responsibility for pursuing and evaluating your own professional growth.
• Attend and participate in Special Education and building staff meetings, and district in-service meetings.
• Work collaboratively with school personnel in meeting diverse social and academic needs of students.
• Regular and predictable attendance is a core requirement of this position.
• Regular, effective interpersonal communication with team members and stakeholders is required.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure the success of Hawkins County Schools and safety of all students and staff.

Capacity and Ability Requirements: The usual job demands require the following physical requirements: some lifting over 60lbs., carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, and physical dexterity. In addition, assist in lifting students who need extra help with their physical needs.

Terms of Employment: Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the district’s approved compensation plan. The length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the district.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Hawkins County School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.