Summary: Instructs individuals served in activities designed to promote social, physical, intellectual and literacy growth. Provides personal care to individuals served by program in a discrete and professional manner. Evaluates each individual’s progress and adapts instruction and/or makes suggestions regarding the need to modify the goal and/or instruction method. Documents outcomes and progress towards goals and objectives in compliance with regulatory/licensing requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Teach in the following areas of development: social/emotional, cognitive, motor, language and communication and self-help. Emphasize learning, literacy and social skills that will promote independence and prepare the individual served for successful transition through all life phases (early childhood, primary school, secondary education, adulthood, independent living).
• Use appropriate management and modification techniques to manage behavior.
• Plan and implement weekly lesson plans based on each individual’s needs, considering all aspects of development and all goals and objectives as detailed in each individual’s treatment plan.
• Evaluate functional level of individual served on skill sets using screening tools, data collection and assessments. Refer individual served for further assessment as needed.
• Prepare materials and instruction aids to successfully present objectives to individual or groups of individuals using task analysis methods.
• Keep accurate records and data related to attendance, progress (document at least weekly in progress note) towards instructional goals and objectives, guardian contact, medical needs, daily health checks, accidents/occurrences, etc.
• Arrange and supervise meaningful special activities (i.e., classroom events, special guests, etc.).
• Communicate regularly with Case Managers and program team regarding strengths and needs of individuals served, and any other identified issues.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor or designee about any issues or concerns regarding the program, individuals served, or staff.
• Ensure the classroom meets quality standards and state requirements for licensure.
• Collaborate with the program team to provide appropriate and individualized programming and modifications for individuals with disabilities including feeding, positioning, communication methods, classroom support, and equipment.
• Collaborate with the program team to ensure that goals and objectives align and are consistently implemented across disciplines (education, therapy, medical, etc.).
• Plan and direct classroom duties of teaching assistants (TAs). Hold TAs accountable for job performance. Communicate ongoing problems with supervisor or designee. Provide feedback for annual evaluation of TAs.
• Assist with personal care for individuals served by program including feeding, diapering/toileting, etc.
• Maintain safe, orderly, and clean classroom. Use all appropriate methods to ensure good hygiene, health and safety of all individuals served and staff in the classroom.
• Attend initial placement conferences, teaming conferences and annual individualized treatment plan (ITP) meetings and conferences and carry out team decisions related to the developmental and functional education of the individual served.

Compliance/HIPAA:

• While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas.
• Employee has access to all client protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person, except psychotherapy notes. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises one to two teaching assistants (TA) in the classroom. Carries out supervisory responsibilities, as delegated, in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Supervisory responsibilities will vary by program, but may include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree in education or a related Field (ABA, Elementary or Secondary Education, etc.) or Associate’s degree with coursework in education. Three or more years’ experience as a classroom teacher preferred.

Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, management, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of best practices and curriculum for early childhood education and development and the inclusion and role of therapy and other related fields in the programming and service delivery for each child.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, statutes, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to present to groups and answer questions – both in person and via video conference.
• Strong computer skills to use electronic health management platform, email, calendar, word, excel, video conferencing, and presentation software.
• Strong orientation to deadlines and details.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and support children with a diverse range of abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with employees and families at diverse levels.
• Ability to develop both the members of a team as well as the team itself.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• CPR/First Aid required within 30 days of hire.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; smell. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Easterseals Arkansas has designated this position as a “non-safety sensitive” position under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.