Special Education Teacher

Choice-Schools-Associates; Oxford (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingsbury Country Day School in Oxford, Michigan seeks a Special Education Teacher to create an inclusive learning environment. You will develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs), differentiate instruction, and support students with diverse needs to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Collaborating with fellow educators, specialists, and families, you will advocate for resources and use positive behavior supports.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with endorsements in the appropriate grade and subject levels.
• Or a Bachelor’s degree and willingness to pursue MTTC endorsements via an alternative pathway.
• Ability to use technology as an instructional tool in the classroom and to analyze student achievement data.
• Exemplary work habits verified by reference check.
• Thorough understanding of IDEA and IEPs.

Responsibilities

• Accepts responsibility for the achievement of students.
• Implements the program outlined in the student’s IEP in the least restrictive environment.
• Prepares for annual IEPs in a timely manner (completing forms, inviting attendees, scheduling meetings).
• Prepares for three-year re-evaluations in a timely manner (testing, forms, invitations, scheduling).
• Guides learning toward curriculum goals and personal learning plans of students.
• Demonstrates effective planning and organization for instruction.
• Selects materials and adapts methods to learning styles and abilities.
• Uses creative instructional methods and adapts to unusual situations.
• Motivates students to achieve at their highest level and fosters inclusive participation.
• Works cooperatively with teachers to incorporate inclusion model.
• Uses resources to support learning in classroom, academy and community.
• Demonstrates exceptional classroom techniques and respectful environment.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technology in instruction

Verbal & written communication

Collaboration with parents

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s Degree in Special Education

MTTC endorsement pathway

Job description

Kingsbury Country Day School exists to provide students the time and space needed to authentically develop social, emotional, and academic skills. We are an innovative charter school located in Oxford, Michigan located on over 100 acres of beautiful woodland property.It is the mission of Kingsbury Country Day School to help every child reach their maximum potential through a challenging curriculum and expert instruction, in a safe and supportive learning environment.

Kingsbury is more than a school. It is a community which involves students, parents, teachers, and friends in its decision making, learning activities, and daily life.

Qualities of a Successful Candidate:

• A comfortability in an outdoor setting and a knack for creativity and innovation, incorporating hands-on activities, experiential learning, and interactive teaching methods to make environmental/outdoor learning engaging and impactful.
• An unwavering belief that all children regardless of their background can learn and exceed at high levels.
• A strong desire to achieve outstanding results in the pursuit of excellence for students.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with children, parents and other staff members. They should be able to work collaboratively, promoting a harmonious learning environment.

About the role

To provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that empowers students with diverse needs and abilities to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs), differentiated instruction, and positive behavior support strategies, a special education teacher aims to foster a sense of belonging and self-confidence in each student, enabling them to overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential. By collaborating with fellow educators, specialists, and parents, the special education teacher creates a strong support system that advocates for each student's unique requirements and ensures they receive the necessary resources to succeed.

What you'll do

• Accepts responsibility for the achievement of students.
• Implements the program outlined in the student’s IEP in the least restrictive environment.
• Prepares for annual IEPs in a timely manner (completing forms, sending invitations to attendees and scheduling meetings).
• Prepares for three-year re-evaluations in a timely manner (testing, completing forms, sending invitations to attendees and scheduling of meeting times).
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of curriculum goals and implementation of personal learning plans of students.
• Demonstrates effective planning and organization for instruction.
• Selects appropriate materials for implementation of the curriculum and adapts materials and methods to learning styles and abilities of students.
• Uses creative instructional methods and procedures and adapts effectively to unusual situations.
• Motivates students to achieve at their highest level of ability and potential through classroom activities, assignments, relationships, participation, and feedback; holds high expectations and demonstrates sensitivity to different learning styles.
• Works cooperatively with teachers to incorporate the academy's Inclusion model.
• Uses resources effectively to support learning activities in the classroom, the academy and the community.
• Demonstrates exceptional classroom techniques, which include the art of questioning, clarity of assignments, communicating, an atmosphere of mutual respect, independent thought and expression and student and teacher experiences in large and small groups.

Maintaining Student Records:

• Maintains accurate special education student records as required by law and local policy.

Classroom Management:

• Works cooperatively with parents and generates parents’ confidence.
• Maintains a comfortable learning environment for students, whether in a pullout situation or mainstream setting.
• Demonstrates genuine concern for students in a climate characterized by high personal and student expectations.
• Promotes good citizenship through actions as a role model.
• Provides a classroom atmosphere based on the principles of firm, fair, and consistent practices, respect for individual children, and development of responsible citizenship.
• Shares responsibility for marketing the academy in the community.

Professional Development & Leadership:

• Participates in the development of policies and regulations that affect instruction and conditions of success.
• Works with classroom teachers to provide resources and training to best meet student IEP needs.
• Uses technology effectively for instruction, record keeping, administrative tasks and communications.
• Conducts himself or herself according to professional, ethical principles.
• Continually strives to improve classroom methods, teaching techniques and interpersonal relationships.
• Displays personal qualities, which reflect favorably upon the individual, the group, and the academy.
• Displays pride in being a teacher and a member of the academy.

Facilities:

• Assumes responsibility for the orderliness of the learning environment and the appropriate and safe use of instructional facilities and equipment.

Other:

• Assumes other responsibilities assigned by the School Leader.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with endorsements in the appropriate grade and subject levels, meeting the requirements of the Michigan Department of Education and Federal guidelines.
• Or, minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and actively working or willingness to actively work through an alternative pathway, which includes passing the MTTC test(s) for endorsements in appropriate grade and subject levels.
• Ability to use technology as an instructional tool in the classroom, as a means of analyzing academic achievement data and as a tool to aid effective communications.
• Exemplary work habits verified by reference check.
• Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education including IDEA and IEPs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and skills working with students of all backgrounds.
• Two years of teaching experience.
• Master’s Degree in Special Education
• Demonstrated competence as a teacher in all areas of focus.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written expression using proper grammar and vocabulary.

About Choice Schools Associates

Kingsbury Country Day School (KCDS) is part of the Choice Schools Community. As a comprehensive education service provider, Choice Schools offers a student-centered approach to tailored school operations support. Much like a superintendent's office, Choice Schools provides invaluable assistance in various crucial areas, including instruction, professional development, curriculum, human resources, finance, compliance, communications, and enrollment. By being a part of the Choice Schools Environmental Model, KCDS is a vibrant community of learning, comprised of multiple other outstanding environmental schools within the state. The Environmental Model will provide you with the support and collaboration of a large district while serving at a tight-knit community school in your area.