POSITION: SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER – MIDDLE SCHOOL

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

FTE STATUS: 1.0

REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL/DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES

DATE: 6/13/2025

SUMMARY:

The Special Education Teacher creates and sustains a community of learners through the development of a positive classroom and school culture, by holding rigorous and high expectations for students and by utilizing quality instructional practices matched to student learning needs. The Special Education Teacher continuously improves their practice through professional learning and collaboration with peers. The Special Education Teacher supervises students, develops and delivers lessons, utilizes established curriculum and maintains high levels of communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress and wellbeing.

TEACHING PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commits to ongoing learning and the development of the craft of teaching for self; encourages, supports and mentors ongoing learning in students.
Consistently promotes fairness, respect, and different viewpoints in all responsibilities
Commits to high expectations for students, developing a vision of success for each student and moving that student towards its achievement.
Commits to positive relationships and communication, promoting and modeling a safe and supportive learning culture for all.
Commits to honoring all students, embracing their community and differences.
Commits to establishing a learning environment that is accountable for effective instruction, assessment and data-driven decision-making.
Commits to using community resources to improve instruction.
Commits to collegiality and professionalism of self and staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Creates, monitors, and maintains compliance with Individual Education Programs (IEP’s) and Behavioral intervention Plans.
Coordinates and conducts IEP meetings with parents, students, and staff.
Provides the most favorable learning environment for students with special needs using tools such as ongoing observation and behavior intervention planning.
Fully, independently and accurately implement the requirements of IDEA and Michigan’s Special Education regulations.
Provide educational observation and evaluation for students suspected of having a disability.
Participate in Child Studies.
Creates, implements, and submits appropriate lesson plans.
Knowledge and/or understanding in consistent use of data to monitor student growth, inform instruction and develop interventions.
Participates in professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.
Participates in collegial conversations surrounding student achievement on a regular basis, influencing individual, grade, and/or department instruction based on collective examination of student performance.
Teaches district-approved curriculum, as well as local and state standards, using contemporary thinking around best-practices and program-specific objectives.
Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students.
Creates a positive, engaging classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriately responds to the maturity level and interest of the students.
Encourages students to set and maintain high standards of classroom behavior. Proactively teaches appropriate behavior and expectations.
Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes and communicates clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and activities.
Identifies and responds to the learning style of all students. Differentiates instruction to accommodate these styles.
Evaluates the academic and social growth of students, keeps appropriate grading records in PowerSchool on a weekly basis and prepares progress reports. Uses academic outcome information to inform curriculum and instructional decisions for all students.
Communicates regularly with students, parents, families and administration in advocacy of student growth. Develops communication plans that adjust for varying levels of parent involvement and inclusion.
Integrates cultural consciousness in instruction, classroom culture and classroom artifacts.
Collects and integrates information about community heritage in instruction.
Prepares for and attends parent/teacher conferences.
Prepares for and attends staff meetings.
Participate in organizational quality.
Participates in district and school initiatives, adheres to building and district school improvement plans.
Keep in confidence all personal, student or personnel records and information.
Participates in district and school initiatives, adheres to building and district school improvement plans.
Adheres to district and school rules and procedures.
Conducts behavior to demonstrate collegiality and professionalism.
Mandated Reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect.
Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of the position.
Other duties as assigned by the Administration.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Position may include supervisory responsibilities over Paraprofessional staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. 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:

Possession of a Bachelor’s or higher degree.
Valid Michigan teacher's certificate with Special Education endorsement(s) required.
Must meet No Child Left Behind Standards as defined by the State of Michigan.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
Applicants must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check as defined by the State of Michigan.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to explain and demonstrate appropriate teaching techniques.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret periodicals and professional journals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, students and the general public.
Ability to write lesson plans, business correspondence and other related correspondence.
Ability to express yourself clearly, both orally and in writing.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret information.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Ability to integrate technology into the everyday work flow is necessary.
Ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the District.
Ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.
Ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communications mechanisms.
Knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:

Highly proficient in subject areas of: reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Exhibit a high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
Ability to take initiative; work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.

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; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:

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.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out-put of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

TERMS:

The contract, salary and other employment conditions will be established by the Board of Education in conjunction with the Lincoln Consolidated Schools and the Washtenaw County Education Association/MEA/NEA collective bargaining agreement. Further, the applicant must agree to fully participate in all relevant training inclusive of or unique to the building assigned and the District.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. Lincoln Consolidated Schools retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

Lincoln Consolidated Schools is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Lincoln Consolidated Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information or any legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

"The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District."

Portrait of a Graduate

Special Education Teacher, Middle School