BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Special Education Teacher

SUPERVISOR: Building Principal

LOCATION: Benton Harbor High School

JOB SUMMARY: Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: developing and implementing individual objectives of each student; providing instruction for students consistent with state education code requirements; employing instructional techniques consistent with the needs and capabilities of students; establishing and maintaining an orderly and safe environment; evaluating each student's performance and communicating with parents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Cognitive Impairment (SA) endorsement
Have at least two (2) years of successful teaching experience.
Ability to incorporate technology into the classroom.
Strong academic preparation and leadership ability.
Strong communication skills.
Proven ability to meet the challenges of an urban school district

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in Education
Five (5) years of successful teaching experience

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide a basic core instructional program consistent with state education code requirements for impaired students.
Confer frequently with parents and professional staff members regarding the educational, social, and personal problems of each student.
Develop and maintain a classroom environment conducive to effective learning within the limits of the resources provided by the District.
Assist in the screening and recommending placement of applicants in special education programs.
Assist impaired students in making realistic assessments of their abilities and in establishing educational and occupational goals commensurate with these abilities.
Create an effective environment for learning through functional, attractive displays, and bulletin boards.
Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
Participate in curriculum development programs as required.
Participate in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
Represent the school district in a positive manner
Know and follow school district policy and chain of command
Work cooperatively with classroom teachers who have mainstreamed special education students in regular classes, interpret the abilities and disabilities of these students to staff, and assist the student with regular class assignments.
Confer frequently with parents and professional staff members regarding the educational, social, and personal problems of students.
Motivate students who have a short attention span.
Keep attendance records and all other records pertinent to the impaired program for state reports.
Evaluate student progress regularly.
Prepare class assignments and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor.
Regular and reliable attendance is an essential job duty
Perform other duties included in Special Education Rule 340.1781 and those that may be assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education
Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving; takes the initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Salary based on education and experience pursuant to the Benton Harbor Area School Board policies and collective bargaining agreement for any position that falls under collective bargaining.

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated by the Building Principal

FUNDING SOURCE:

If this position is funded using Title dollars, federal regulations do not allow a promise of employment beyond the current year of allocated funds. If this position is funded using state program dollars, the district is not obligated to fund the position beyond the current year's allocation. This position, at any time, may be dissolved based on funding availability and data collected from a comprehensive needs assessment.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts

Benton Harbor Area Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER