SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Our Client, an established education institution for students with special needs (moderate to severe autism and other developmental conditions, is looking to recruit a Special Education Teacher/Group Leader. See job description for more details.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER / GROUP LEADER

(4-month contract)

Location:  Port of Spain

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Special Education Teacher / Group Leader is responsible for:

• maintaining a learning environment conducive to educating persons with moderate to severe autism and other developmental conditions; such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Global Development Delay
• providing instruction, assessment and programme planning under the direction of the Principal
• monitoring and evaluating student progress and behaviour
• researching, obtaining and providing instructional materials for special education services
• collaborating with assigned staff of instructional specialists/therapists, Teacher Assistants and Student and/or Teacher Aides.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in education or special education from an accredited college or university
• Relevant extended training and professional development in special education would be an asset
• Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in general/special education is highly desirable

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide assessment, programme planning and instruction for persons with Moderate to severe Autism and other developmental disabilities
• Provide a rough draft of Individualized Education Programmes (IEPs) for Team meetings ahead of time and seek appropriate service providers for input in the development of the document.
• Participate in preparing IEP goals and objectives for students
• Attend IEP review and emergency meetings as requested and needed.
• Assess individual abilities and needs of students and provide appropriate levels of directed learning experiences
• Make adjustments to IPEs, including modifying an activity and creating adaptations, on an individual basis for the purpose of helping students to become independent
• Evaluate, through observation, daily performance of each student using checklist, data charts, and progress charts and adjust directed learning activities accordingly and complete daily paperwork
• Maintain evaluation records on all assigned students.
• Assist hands-on with students’ self-care and basic living skills such as eating, toileting, diapering, ensuring medication is given, dressing and hygiene
• Create and maintain effective environments for student learning
• Research, obtain and provide instructional materials for special education services
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to assigned activities and student progress and behaviour
• Respond to inquiries and provide information, recommendations and interpretations of student records
• Coordinate and conduct various team meetings and implement team recommendations as assigned
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings, and staff training as required.
• Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel
• Supervise classroom assistants and aides
• Organize and conduct in-services for parents and staff as directed
• Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment including a computer and assigned software
• Have knowledge of voice output devices
• Develop behaviour management skills and implement school-wide behaviour management plan in classroom
• Maintain the safety of the building; i.e. work

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Practices and procedures of instruction, assessment and programme planning for persons with moderate to severe Autism and other developmental disabilities
• Equipment operation related to special education students’ needs, as stipulated in the students’ IEPs
• IEP (Individualised Education Program) process
• Proper lifting techniques
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures
• Oral and written communication skills
• Record keeping and report preparation techniques
• Computer skills, eg, MS Word and Excel
• Behaviour modification techniques
• Student and parent rights with respect to special education and other assigned programmes
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

ABILITY TO

• Communicate effectively with parents, students and teachers in difficult situations
• Use interpersonal skills: tact, patience, courtesy, compassion, etc.
• Monitor and evaluate student progress and behaviour
• Research, obtain and provide instructional materials for special education services
• Keep accurate records and submit reports in a timely matter
• Meet physical requirements necessary to perform assigned duties in a safe and effective manner for self and others
• Maintain a suitable learning environment including appropriate planning and organisation of classroom or related setting, and educational aids organisation
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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 essential functions. Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: 

Standing and walking short distances frequently on a daily basis; sitting, bending, twisting, squatting, and pushing/ pulling regularly to occasionally; lifting 50 to 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing 10-25 lbs. Frequent use of hands, vision, hearing, speech/ language processes; physical strength and emotional stamina sufficient to organize and coordinate a variety of activities; ability to use a variety of special educational materials and supplies, telephone, computer and teaching aids.

Assigned work is normally performed in a variety of settings including classroom, school, community, vocational, domestic, and recreational/leisure environments. Continuous contact is required with administrators, teachers and parents.

Please note that Job Descriptions are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the position and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.