Special Education Behavior Support Services Teacher Christa Mcauliffe Middle School

Job Overview

The Teacher Special Education MS Behavior Support Services GR Middle School will provide instruction in the areas of academic, behavior, social and self-care services to students identified with severe behavioral and emotional disabilities that interfere with their ability to access the curriculum in a less-restrictive environment. The goal is to facilitate a reintegration into the general education classroom setting, and to increase the students' behavioral and social abilities in order to be successful in their transition into adulthood. The program is structured to meet the various behavioral needs of each student and focuses on assisting students with behavioral and academic growth as well as social development. Any teacher who will coach a UIL sport will also provide athletic services related to that athletic sport and the athletic program.

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Provide consistent expectations and routines to facilitate a highly structured environment
• Utilize research-based Positive Behavior Support strategies to promote and maintain classroom management and therapeutic rapport with students
• Implement the Behavior Support Services Critical Elements as designated by the Program Manager
• Conduct instructional activities, which promote and develop successful learning, for multiple grade levels of students
• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with parents, students, and school/community stakeholders in the development of clear, measurable Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives that are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
• Maintain effective and timely written and oral communication with parents, staff and other school personnel and community agencies
• Collect and analyze data in the areas of academics, behavior, social and self-care service to monitor progress towards IEP goals and objectives
• Prepare and implement lesson plans that are developmentally and age-appropriate based on the students' IEP, through necessary accommodations and modifications
• Fully implement students' IEP, including behavior intervention plans and accommodations/modifications of materials and curriculum
• Collaborate with general education teachers to align lesson plans to general education curriculum
• Prepare and organize materials to implement daily lesson plans
• Conduct daily social skills training through research-based social skills curriculum
• Monitor student behaviors inside and outside both the general and special education classrooms (e.g., during class, in the hallways between classes, during assemblies, extracurricular activities/events, fire drills, or other group activities)
• Maintain regular communication with students, parents, and appropriate staff members regarding all aspects of student program
• Direct and oversee the activities of an educational setting paraprofessional, aide, volunteer, or peer tutor
• Train and assign the work of instructional support staff and provide input into performance evaluation process
• Provide for basic needs of students who, because of their disability, are not able to care for themselves, including but not limited to self-care skills
• May provide for direct instruction to students in the areas of vocation and career development; communication skills; social and recreation/leisure skills; transition to adult living

Compliance

• Safeguard confidentiality with regard to students with disabilities
• Participate in and prepare paperwork for Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings, which include but not limited to Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs), goals and objectives, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIPs), Autism and Transportation supplements
• Conduct instructional and other professional activities consistent with the requirements of state and federal law

Program Support

• Participate in appropriate on-campus and off-campus professional development, including after-school teacher meetings, as required or assigned

If the position is tied to coaching a UIL sport, the following essential duties and responsibilities are applicable to coaching:

• Perform coaching duties as assigned as well as other duties required for the smooth, efficient operation of a successful athletic program
• Possess knowledge and adheres to UIL rules and regulations
• Assist the Athletic Department with budget, schedules, care/use of facilities
• Communicate with the Athletic Department on a regular basis

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

• Bachelor's Degree Education or related field
• Valid Teaching Certification Issued by Texas Education Agency appropriate to subject and grade level of assignment Appropriate content area certification for the subject and grade level of the assignment, or demonstrate competency through the state's 2010 and 2011 High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE)
• Valid Special Education Certification Special Education, EC-12
• De-Escalation/Restraint Certification Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification required within 30 days of providing instruction (District offers CPI training at no cost during the summer and throughout the school year)
• Valid Driver's license with CDL Certification preferred if coaching a UIL sport
• Coaching experience preferred if coaching a UIL sport
• Ability to plan and implement lessons based on needs and abilities of students
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate technology equipment and software programs
• Proven ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional programs

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.

The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.

Additional Information

• The employee will be required to work outside up to 25% of the time and will be exposed to the elements and inclement weather. This position requires lifting and positioning students, controlling certain behavior through hands-on intervention strategies and approved physical restraint strategies. Teachers are expected to intervene with students' behavior, which can include aggression, self-injurious behaviors, disruptive behaviors, and self-stimulatory behaviors. The potential exists for exposure to bodily fluids and frequent childhood, pre-teen and teen illnesses.
• This position is funded by grant funds. This position may be discontinued if grant funds are no longer available.