Promotes and nurtures the education of students by working collaboratively with parents and fellow educators in planning and implementing an individualized instructional program for students with disabling conditions; assuring compliance with IDEA regulations and reports; using relevant data in monitoring, assisting with, and correcting, academic efforts; and providing a safe environment conducive to learning.

Duties:

• Works collaboratively with parents and fellow educators in nurturing the student to academic and behavioral excellence.
• Develop IEP’s for students who qualify for SPED services and annually update them.
• Design a program that meets the identified student needs as listed in IEP’s.
• Consult with regular education teachers and other support personnel to ensure that the needs of the students with disabilities are being met in the inclusion classroom.
• Coordinate required psychological services within the required deadlines.
• Coordinate related services (speech, OT, etc.) as outlined in students’ IEP’s.
• Schedule, attend and lead all IEP and SPED meetings.
• Prepare required documents and notices for SPED meetings.
• Continue professional growth through educational meetings, visiting related facilities, reading professional literature, and exchanging ideas among the teachers and staff.
• Assist RTI staff in the pre-identification process.
• Use appropriate formative assessment instruments pertinent to instructional areas to assess ongoing student progress and maintain required assessment documentation.
• Maintain a positive environment conducive to effective learning.
• Provide varied instructional techniques and technology through individual and/or group sessions designed to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of the students.
• Assist in the selection of books, equipment and other materials for SPED students.
• Effectively utilize interns and community partners to enhance instruction.
• Coordinate with other support staff (Gifted, SEI, RtI, Tutors, and Mentors) to maximize student learning.

Public Relations/Communication:

• Establish and maintaining cooperative relations with other employees.
• Assist in providing information to community groups and parents concerning special education programs as requested.
• Work to establish and maintain open lines of communication with students and their parents concerning the academic and behavioral progress of all assigned students.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Ensure that each student in the program has required evaluation records in his/her permanent SPED folder.
• Maintain individual student special education files in compliance with federal and state regulations • Quarterly evaluate student progress on IEP goals and report to parents and teachers.
• Assure that all students with disabling conditions receive the accommodations listed in IEP’s to successfully participate in classroom instruction and assessments.
• Complete the Annual SPED Data Collection Report for students with disabilities.
• Assist the Leadership Team in all activities that relate to SPED monitoring.

Other Job-related Responsibilities:

• Complete all required surveys in a timely manner.

Skills/Qualifications:

Bachelor degree and certification in Special Education; Current Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

• Excellent experience in teaching and working with diverse students in the field of special education
• Experience teaching struggling students of diversity
• Working knowledge of Arizona state standards
• Ability to work collaboratively in a high-stakes environment
• Outstanding instructional skills, including the ability to motivate and challenge students and maintain an orderly classroom environment
• Demonstrated expertise in special education processes and instruction
• Strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement
• Belief that all students should be held to high academic and content standards
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members
• Demonstrated professionalism, responsibility, and a strong work ethic
• Positive attitude and a drive for personal excellence
• Problem solving ability 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.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. In addition, some carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: requires sitting, walking, and standing.