Exciting opportunity!  At Wissahickon School District we are looking for individuals who will foster EQUITY and INCLUSION in our schools, seeking to create a learning community in which all students are appreciated, inspired, and equipped to engage and excel.  I encourage you to visit our website to learn more. 

Apply today if you want to truly BELONG at Wiss Nation. 

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POSITION TITLE: Special Education Teacher (Secondary, Learning Support) (Long Term Substitute, Semester 2 approx Feb-Jun)

POSITION GOAL: To plan and implement instruction and/or adaptation of the education program to enable students to benefit from education experiences; to develop or modify curricula and prepares lessons and other instructional materials according to the ability levels, disabilities, and impairment of students to initiate and reinforce learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creates a classroom and/or instructional environment that is attractive, safe, supportive, and conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity, interest and abilities of students. Risk-taking is encouraged, students feel free to contribute their ideas, and teacher and student interactions are respectful and polite to promote a positive learning environment for all students.
• Creates a classroom and/or instructional environment that have materials in good condition and accessible to students, including but not limited to creating educational bulletin boards, web pages, parent/student newsletters, and other similar communication vehicles consistent with district practice.
• Teaches District approved curriculum.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of established District curriculum goals and establishes and communicates clear objectives to the students for all lessons, units, and projects.
• Strives by instruction and action to employ the District's philosophy of education, instructional goals and objectives, and performance expectations.
• Prepares for classes and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and employs a variety of instructional techniques and teaching strategies to meet different aptitudes, interests and abilities of students, including current technology and whole-group/small-group learning.
• Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Designs activities to engage students in cognitively challenging work aligned to standards.
• Manages allotted learning time to maximize student achievement.
• Uses resources that will promote high levels of learning and student engagement in the classroom environment.
• Reflects on practice and student work to determine what went well and what changes could improve instruction and uses reflection to inform future instruction.
• Assesses students' academic and social growth on a regular basis as related to desired educational goals, objectives, outcomes and disability or impairment, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports as required, and communicates with parents as deemed necessary or when directed by the principal.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by the District Policy, Administrative Policy, and Pennsylvania law.
• Closely monitors student learning in order to understand how students are progressing toward the learning objectives and provides age-appropriate communication with students on instructional expectation and keeps them informed of their progress in meeting those expectations.
• Seeks the support of district specialists when concern regarding student progress arises. Cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and developing strategies to help students solve health, attitude, and learning problems. Follows the District multi-tiered system of supports and develops strategies for individual education plans.
• Develops a code of conduct for the classroom which is consistent with established Administrative Policies and develops rules of classroom behavior which are enforced in a fair and just manner.
• Provides clear behavior expectations for students and monitors student behavior throughout the class and school.
• Communicates regularly with parents/guardians during and outside normal classroom day to create partnership around student learning by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, and other means to discuss students' progress and the school program.
• Participates in eligibility process, as assigned, and after student is determined eligible for special education program, participates in the in-take process.
• Collaborates with staff and parents/guardians to develop Individual Education Programs for each student assigned.
• Collaborates with staff and parents/guardians to develop Functional Behavioral Assessments, Evaluation Reviews and Manifestation Determinations as needed.
• Participates in and/or chairs Individualized Education Program (IEP), evaluation report meetings or other related meetings necessary for student assessment and/or compliance with federal and/or state law.
• Implements an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program which provides appropriate experience.
• Manages the behavior of learners in instructional setting to ensure environment is conducive to the learning process and assists and participates in management of student behavior in other parts of the school.
• Coordinates educational activities with other professional staff, both school and non-school based, as required to maximize learning opportunities.
• Requests assistance of and works with resource personnel both school and non-school based as needed.
• Works in a self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned (may work off site as an extension of any of the above).
• Ensures confidentiality of information in reference to HIPPA/FERPA and IDEA regulations.
• Communicates with all school personnel regularly, both written and oral, in reference to the students IEP, with continual monitoring and reporting of progress.
• Plans, assigns and coordinates work to paraprofessionals, attendants, and parents/guardian and volunteers as needed.
• Provides and/or supervises care and feeding of students who, because of age or disability, do not have feeding and self-help or abilities, may include tube feeding.
• Attends district department and faculty meetings and serves on district committees as required by the CBA.
• Attends established traditional school-sponsored activities (i.e.: back-to-school night, open house, and other activities customarily attended by classroom teachers and/or faculty members) as required by the CBA.
• Actively participates in building or district educational experiences and other student activities, as
• Participates in curriculum related and programmatic activities that are a part of the regular District program, including but not limited to field trips or overnight camping trips that have been historically part of the school curriculum and programming.
• Participates in in-services and staff development activities and staff meetings as required or assigned.
• Maintains an ongoing program of professional growth that satisfies District requirements but also satisfies personal expectation as a professional
• Provides, when appropriate, information and recommendations (verbal and written) when requested for student placement, course selection, awards, scholarships and in pursuit of other academic, extra-curricular endeavors or employment.
• Establishes partnerships with the community as appropriate in support of the academic program.
• Demonstrates professionalism and adheres to the Professional Code of Conduct.
• Administers group standardized tests in accordance with District testing program.
• Plans and coordinates the work of paraprofessionals, parents/guardians, and volunteers in the classroom and on field trips.
• Selects and requisitions books and instructional materials.
• Follows established policies and procedures for reporting incidents (e.g., child abuse, substance abuse, harassment, and violence).
• Other duties as assigned by the Building Principal and/or Administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Bachelors' degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Valid PA Department of Education Special Education Instructional Teaching Certificate.
3. Understanding of Pennsylvania Core Standards.
4. Strong skill set in human relations, communications, problem solving and organization.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The Special Education Teacher will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by the Principal and/or Administration.

Wissahickon School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.