SPED Teacher

Bwcs; Coolidge (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bwcs is seeking a SPED Teacher in Coolidge, Arizona, to lead and create an inclusive classroom for diverse learners. The role requires a valid Arizona teaching certification and a Bachelor's degree in Special Education. Responsibilities include preparing lesson plans, assessing student needs, and maintaining positive relationships with students and parents. Strong communication, empathy, and organizational skills are essential. The position offers a supportive environment to foster the personal growth of students.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working as a Special Education Teacher.
• Knowledge of special education laws and best practices.
• Strong understanding of different disabilities and instructional strategies.

Responsibilities

• Creates a flexible elementary grade program and positive class environment.
• Maintains good order and discipline among students.
• Communicates with parents about their child’s progress.

Skills

Communication skills

Patience

Empathy

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Special Education or related field

Valid Arizona Teacher Certification

Job description

Job Title

SPED Teacher

Department

Administration

Reports To

SPED Coordinator

FLSA Status

Exempt

Date

07/11/2023

Job Description

Creates a flexible elementary grade program and a class environment favorable to learning and personal growth; establishes effective rapport with students; motivates students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for upper elementary grade education in accordance with each student's ability; and establishes good relationships with parents, community and other staff members.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Arizona Teacher Certification
• Early Childhood Endorsement for grades Preschool to Kindergarten
• Valid Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Ability to Pass National Criminal Background Screen
• Must meet ESSA/NCLB / Highly Qualified Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Valid state teaching certification in Special Education
• Proven experience working as a Special Education Teacher, preferably with diverse student populations
• Knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and best practices
• Strong understanding of different disabilities, learning styles, and instructional strategies to support diverse learners
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with students, parents, and colleagues
• Patience, empathy, and the ability to establish a positive and inclusive classroom environment
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize tasks effectively

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares lesson plans in advance in all core areas of the curriculum reflecting AZ college and career readiness standards
• Identifies clear teaching objectives and learning outcomes with appropriate challenge and high expectations
• Maintains good order and discipline among the students, safeguarding their health and safety
• Assesses students to evaluate their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
• Supports the diverse educational and cultural backgrounds of the students served
• Teaches planned lessons to an entire class of students or to smaller groups
• Uses a variety of instruction strategies, such as inquiry, group discussion, lecture, discovery, etc.
• Uses computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations
• Plans ahead by completing lesson plans one week in advance
• Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Grades students' assignments to monitor their progress
• Maintains a regular system of monitoring, assessment, record‑keeping and reporting of children's progress
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems
• Communicates with parents about their child’s progress
• Communicates and consults with parents over all aspects of their children’s education—academic, social and emotional
• Works with students individually to help them overcome specific learning challenges
• Prepares students for standardized tests required by the state, BIE, etc.
• Develops and enforces classroom rules to teach children proper behavior
• Creates and manages a caring, supportive, purposeful and stimulating environment which is conducive to children’s learning
• Organizes and manages groups or individual students ensuring differentiation of learning needs, reflecting all abilities
• Plans opportunities to develop the social, emotional and cultural aspects of students' learning
• Ensures effective use of support staff within the classroom, including parent helpers
• Ensures that school policies are reflected in daily practice
• Supervises children outside of the classroom—for example, during lunchtime or recess
• Participates in staff meetings, grade level meetings and on‑site professional development as required
• Maintains a portfolio of professional development and training undertaken
• Participates as part of a whole school team
• Actively participates with and implements guidelines set by instructional coaches and administrative staff
• Promotes the welfare of children and supports the school in safeguarding children through relevant policies and procedures
• Promotes the aims and objectives of the school and maintains its philosophy of education
• Respects the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws
• Attends all school sponsored events
• Handles minor behavior modification at the classroom level
• Sets criteria for participation in school events, field trips and extra‑curricular activities at the beginning of the year to not preclude a child from participation unfairly

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises the classroom paraprofessional.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and promote a harassment‑free environment
• Ability to uphold organizational values by working ethically and with integrity
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gather and analyze information skillfully, and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics
• Ability to focus on solving conflict, not blaming; maintain confidentiality and keep emotions under control
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listen and get clarification, and demonstrate group presentation skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, students, and the general public
• Ability to write clearly and informatively, present numerical data effectively, read and interpret data
• Skill to understand business implications of decisions and align work with strategic goals
• Ability to work within an approved budget and conserve organizational resources
• Ability to observe safety and security procedures, report potentially unsafe conditions, use equipment and materials properly
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment and manage competing demands
• Ability to consistently arrive at work on time
• Ability to exhibit confidence in self and others, inspire and motivate others to perform well and effectively influence actions and opinions of others
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Knowledge of Internet software, e‑mail software, spreadsheet software and word‑processing software

Physical Demands

The duties include supervising and interacting with children ages 3‑10, which involves getting down to the child’s level physically 45% of the day (bending, stooping, kneeling) and guiding/supervising children safely to and from the classrooms, up to 250 yards, 20% of the day. Frequent standing, walking, sitting and talking, with occasional use of hands to touch, handle or feel items, and occasional lifting up to 10 pounds, frequently up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. Exposure to outside weather conditions and moderate noise level may occur.