The Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative provides valuable incentives including special education stipends, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities to earn your Seal of Literacy�all while making a difference in students' lives.

Purpose:                        Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to match student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.
 
Responsible to:              Principal and/or Special Education Coordinator
 
Payment rate:                 According to negotiated agreement
 
Qualifications:
Education/Certification(s)/License(s):

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university
2. Valid Kansas teaching license and endorsements as required for the position
3. Health and Inoculation Certificate on file in the Central Office

Special Knowledge/Skills:

1. Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area(s)
2. Knowledge of Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
3. Knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction for special needs
4. Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
5. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, including:
   1. Ability to speak clearly and audibly to various groups expressing ideas in a logical and forthright manner,
   2. Possess composition skills suitable for producing written communication for a variety of readers,
   3. Ability to quickly analyze a situation and provide prompt advice,
   4. Ability to manage job responsibilities while meeting established deadlines,
   5. Ability to work constructively, cooperatively, and professionally with others.

Experience:

1. Teaching, student teaching, approved internship, or related work experience

 
Essential Functions:
Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate with students, parents, and other members of staff to develop IEP through the general education intervention process for each student assigned.
2. Implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for assigned students and show written evidence of preparation as required.
3. Conduct assessment of student learning styles. Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
4. Present subject matter effectively and according to guidelines established by IEP. Employ a variety of instructional techniques and media including technology to meet the needs and capabilities of each student assigned.
5. Work cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments.
6. Participate in IEP and general education intervention meetings on a regular basis.
7. Participate in selection of books, equipment, and other instructional media.
8. Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
9. Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP.
10. Consult district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.
11. Stay abreast of new technologies to facilitate and support student learning, assistive technology, data management, and communication.
12. Communicate effectively with administrators, parents, staff, and community agencies and services with regard to student progress/needs.
13. Interact with students, parents, and staff in a professional manner demonstrating acceptance of individual differences, patience, and sensitivity.
14. Maintain appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance; timely submission of required reports; participate in staff, department, and committee/team meetings; assist in the early recognition and prevention of educational problems.
15. Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
16. Manage student behavior and administer discipline including intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
17. Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
18. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
19. Participate as a team member in the comprehensive evaluation, review, and re-evaluation process.
20. Assist teachers in the development and implementation of curricular modifications/classroom strategies.
21. Plan and implement transition services for students.
22. Plan, assign, and direct the work of assigned teacher aide(s), paraprofessional(s) and volunteer(s) and oversee completion.
23. Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
24. Maintain professional relationships with parents, students, and colleagues.
25. Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
26. Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education teachers.
27. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
28. Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

 
Mental Demands/Physical Requirement/Environmental Conditions:

1. Requires the ability to maintain emotional control while under stress and in stressful situations.
2. Requires the ability to frequently stand for prolonged periods of time.
3. Requires the ability to walk frequently.
4. Requires the ability to use standard office equipment including computer and peripherals and other instructional equipment for prolonged periods of time.
5. Requires the ability to frequently use repetitive hand motions, including frequent keyboarding and mouse use.
6. Requires the ability to frequently kneel/squat, bend/stoop, push/pull, twist, or reach.
7. Requires the ability to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials.
8. Requires the ability to work and concentrate in noisy and crowded environments.
9. Requires the ability to work with frequent interruptions.
10. Requires the ability to occasionally work outside with exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures.
11. Requires timeliness and regular attendance and/or physical presence at the job.

 
General Responsibilities:

1. Support the vision and mission of USD253 and Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative.
2. Support the value of an education.
3. Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, teachers, and the district in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.
4. Assist with the ongoing curriculum revision process as well as other building/district level tasks.
5. Help to sustain the profession by providing professional development and by supervising student teachers, observers, para-educators, and aides. Be a positive role model.
6. Strive to maintain and improve professional competence.
7. Desire to continue career improvement.
8. Strive to communicate the positive aspects of our school program to the public in word and deed.
9. Stay abreast of new technologies, data management and communication.
10. Comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers and the KSDE Kansas Educator Code of Conduct.
11. Uphold and enforce board policy, administrative procedures, and school rules/regulations including but not limited to: acceptable use of technology, sexual and racial harassment, child abuse reporting, health and safety including all precautions related to bloodborne pathogens, and suicide prevention.
12. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures. Actively participate in response drills. Be prepared to implement the Building Crisis Plan.
13. Maintain a safe and well-organized instructional space.
14. Monitor hallways and common areas as necessary.
15. Maintain a substitute folder containing appropriate information as required by the principal.
16. Respond to change in a productive manner.
17. Other duties as assigned.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.