JOB TITLE:  SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

Bachelor’s degree with appropriate teaching certificate in the area of subjects taught.

Skills:

Machines/Equipment:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

No single person in the educational environment has more influence on the student than the classroom teacher.   There are a number of areas where classroom teachers must develop competencies and accept responsibility.  These areas are:

1. Teacher's responsibility as a citizen.
   1. Assumes full responsibility as a citizen by teaching a true sense of respect and allegiance to the United States of America.
   2. Bases the instructional program around the concept that the fundamental purpose of public education is to produce an enlightened citizenry, so that the ideals of democracy may be perpetuated.
      1. Provides opportunities for students to make responsible decisions based upon reliable facts and information.
      2. Develops in students the power of critical thinking.
      3. Stresses the concept of individual responsibility inherent in a democracy.
      4. Instills in pupils those rudiments of good citizen-ship; namely, love and respect for each other, their homes, their school, and their country.
   3. Teacher's understanding of children and concern for them.
      1. Carefully examine and make use of all available evidence concerning each child, e.g., tests, health records, socioeconomic evidence and permanent records.
      2. Be familiar with pupils' interests and their anxieties.
      3. Help pupils develop a sense of security and self confidence.

1. Find time to allow for a student's personal needs as a part of stimulating his/her intellectual growth.
2. Seek to motivate children so their interests will broaden and deepen to expand their self-education throughout life.
3. Be fair to the child who conforms and the one who does not.
4. Respect the diversity of religious beliefs of all pupils.

• Teachers must be successful in:
  1. Classroom Planning
     1. Plan so that maximum learning will be achieved for each student.
     2. Organize and prepare lesson plans as directed by the building principal.
     3. Apply known and accepted principles of child growth and development.
  2. Organization of work:
     1. Be informed and current on the subject matter.
     2. So organize that every child can understand the purposes of the lesson.
     3. The method of presentation and development must provide a challenge for the fast learner and, at the same time, instruction for the slower learning child.
     4. Be willing to try new and different teaching techniques and materials, so that maximum results are produced with every child in the class.
  3. Classroom atmosphere:
     1. There must be evidence of purposeful activity in the classroom.
     2. Interest and challenge the students to the extent that every child is anxious to participate in the lesson.
     3. Stimulate pupils to think, to evaluate information and to substantiate conclusions.
     4. The physical aspect of the classroom should be conducive to successful learning, i.e., attractive bulletin boards, neatness of the room, and work areas to meet individual needs.
     5. Be considerate of pupils' feelings; refrain from the use of sarcasm or ridicule in front of the rest of the class.
     6. Allow no "put-downs" from students.
     7. Command the respect of the pupils.
  4. Professional attitude
     1. Be able to work harmoniously with colleagues.
     2. Accept responsibility and offer services for extra-curricular activities that would contribute to the welfare of students and the profession.
     3. Attend inservice workshops/meetings offering opportunity for professional growth.
     4. Strive to make continuous educational advancement in one's teaching field through study and/or travel.
     5. Welcome suggestions on how to improve self and teaching. Be aware of improved methods of teaching in the subject matter area.
     6. Constantly re-evaluate teaching in the light of the children's achievements. Welcome constructive evaluation of professional performance.

1. Contribute to and participate in educational associations and societies whose memberships are available.
2. Perform other duties as may be requested by the principal.

1. Teacher acceptance of the standards and responsibilities of teaching in the public schools.
   1. Personal standards
      1. Good health
      2. Clean, neat appearance
      3. Regular and prompt attendance in school
      4. Breadth of interest (community, profession, pupils)
      5. Self-control (calmness, dignity, poise, reserve)
      6. Good judgment (discretion, foresight, insight, intelligence)
      7. Leadership (initiative, self-confidence)
      8. Forcefulness (courage, decisiveness, firmness, independence, purpose)
      9. Scholarship (intellectual curiosity)
      10. Honesty
      11. Adaptability
      12. Enthusiasm (alertness, inspiration, spontaneity)_
      13. Open mindedness
      14. Industry (patience, perseverance)
      15. Cooperation (helpfulness, loyalty)
      16. Consideration (appreciativeness, courtesy, kindness, sympathy, tact, unselfishness)
   2. Other responsibilities
      1. Ability to keep records accurately and neatly.
      2. Ability to follow through on administrative policies and requests.
      3. Ability to work wisely and effectively with parents and other adults, both within the staff and within the community.
      4. Participation in community-school activities.
      5. Other duties as assigned by supervisor/principal.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

NOTE:  For the following requirements in terms of an 8 hour workday, 

"Occasional" = 1-33%, "Frequent" = 34-66%, "Continuous" = 67-100%.

Approved by Board of Education on ____________________.