Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher

Young World Physical Education; Taos (NM); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education is seeking a Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher for immediate hiring in Taos, NM. This role involves effectively teaching students with diverse needs through the implementation of tailored support and collaboration with educational teams.

The teacher will focus on creating a supportive environment while planning and assessing educational goals based on individual student needs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Ability to create and maintain a positive learning environment.
• Skills in student safety and behavioral management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and assess students' learning goals based on individual needs.
• Collaborate with staff to address student needs.
• Implement district curriculum and instructional practices.

Skills

Effective communication

Collaborative teamwork

Adaptability to student needs

Education

Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree

Valid teaching certification issued by NM PED

Job description

Middle School Special Education Life Skills Teacher

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Classification: Certified

Location: Assigned School

Reports to: School Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Teacher (182 working days)

Position Summary

The special education teacher is primarily responsible for effective teaching and learning of the assigned subject(s) following district approved curriculum, instruction and assessment practices. As a special education teacher, the teacher may work in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational settings, including Life Skills, Behavior Development, Structured Communications, and Learning Resource/Support. Primary responsibility includes student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn, including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare.

Supervision

The teacher works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator. The teacher may also receive direction and/or supervision from a district special education administrator. The teacher’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of the district policies and procedures, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The teacher plans for student success based on assessed needs of individual students, uses data and information to determine each student’s current skill level, sets learning goals, and assesses progress. The teacher applies district approved assessment tools and strategies and assists in complying with teaching, learning, and student accommodation requirements under IEP and 504 accommodations.
• The teacher works collaboratively in a professional learning community with other teachers, support staff, multi‑disciplinary teams, and others as appropriate, to address student needs and develop effective teaching practices.
• The teacher regularly plans lessons using professional practice (content, goals, assessment, re‑teaching, etc.) consistent with the approved curriculum and instructional practice, and uses research‑based instructional strategies to make learning relevant (e.g., contextual learning opportunities).
• The teacher maintains and provides reasonable and meaningful grading and evaluation consistent with district policy and regularly communicates such information to students and parents. Reporting may include posting and maintaining electronic grade systems with parent and student access.
• The teacher incorporates approved technology into planning, learning, progress reporting, and record‑keeping activities, including preparing IEPs for students with special needs.
• The teacher creates, communicates, and maintains classroom management practices that engage students effectively. Acceptable behavior and related discipline procedures are well understood and consistently enforced to maintain a positive learning environment.
• The teacher actively participates in faculty, grade‑level, department, and curriculum meetings, assisting building efforts to plan, implement, evaluate the school’s program, and perform related work as required.
• The teacher is observant of student needs and promptly engages an administrator or appropriate staff when a student is at risk or in danger due to bullying, sexual harassment/misconduct, depression, suicide ideation, or academic failure. The teacher serves as a positive role model for students.
• The teacher assists in supervising students at school activities and events, remains vigilant of students throughout the school day and location, and intervenes or engages assistance of a school administrator when students act inappropriately.
• The teacher plans time for reflection on professional practice, establishes a professional growth plan, and annually reviews progress with the administrator.
• The teacher follows board policies and procedures and stays abreast of updates and changes.
• The teacher performs all other duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree.
• Valid teaching certification issued by NM PED.
• Demonstrated knowledge for the subjects/levels being taught.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with parents, students, and staff.

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position

• The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• The employee must lift and/or move 50 to 100 pounds and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in safety issues.
• The employee frequently sits, lifts, carries, moves about, hears, and speaks. Extensive work at a computer display terminal may be required.
• May be required to break up fights.
• The employee may occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals used in instruction or cleaning, blood or other potentially infectious materials, and infectious diseases carried by students.
• The employee may be exposed to bodily fluids and waste while performing duties in life skills, multi‑handicapped, and some one‑on‑one situations.
• The employee may be required to travel in school‑owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 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.