Integrated Learning Program Special Education Teacher

Job Title:  Special Education Teacher – Alternative Programs (ISP, Parrish)

Salary Range: Step 1: $56,320 per year. Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience. 

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Position Purpose: 

Plans for, teaches and facilitates learning for students.  Creates a positive learning environment. Maintains progress, records, and discipline. Works collaboratively with students, parents, building staff, and other Individual Education Program team members to provide and implement classroom education and IEP services to meet the needs of all the assigned students. Creates and implements individualized behavior intervention plans. Provides daily social skills instruction as well as embeds it throughout the curriculum. Maintains a safe classroom environment with clearly defined expectations with consistent procedures and routines. Effectively provides engaging academic instruction, de-escalation and response to crisis, assessment of student behavior through Functional Behavior Assessments and positive behavior supports and interventions through individualized Behavior Intervention Plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid NE Teaching Certificate with endorsement in Special Education with emphasis in Behavior Intervention Specialist preferred.
• Ability to develop positive relationships to promote mutual dignity and respect among students and staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively to identify needs of students and implement strategies on a consistent basis
• Ability to create and implement individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) as well as review and revise it on a regular basis.
• Ability to target skill deficits and desired replacement behaviors (identified through FBA) for each student in the classroom.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Professional verification of successful classroom teacher performance and/or student teaching experience.
• Evidence of the willingness and ability to comply with standards for ethical and professional performance established by the State Board of Education.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students.
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
• Skill in organization, time management, communication, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver teaching instruction in accordance with approved curriculum and standards.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• A demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Ability to understand the individual needs of each student.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Outlook and the student information system.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and special education students.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Develops students’ cognitive, emotional and social capacities for learning.
• Maintains a classroom atmosphere conducive to enhancing interpersonal relationships, social skills, problem resolution, and decision making while achieving academic success.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Completes effective assessment of student behavior through Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
• Creates, implements and maintains up-to-date individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
• Plans for and implements daily social skills instruction as well as embeds social skills throughout the curriculum.
• Provide de-escalation and response to crisis
• Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students
• Implements clear expectations and routines in the classroom consistently
• Positively fosters students’ self-esteem.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Plans for and guides the learning process to help students achieve their program objectives.
• Implements useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures.
• Selects and uses effective instructional methods and learning materials.
• Establishes a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
• Maintains open lines of communications with parents, guardians and staff.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and lesson planning and student progress toward IEP goals as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as administrative regulations and procedures of the Omaha Public Schools.
• Coordinates with other school professional staff members and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
• Evidence of the willingness and the ability to comply with the standards with ethical and professional performance established by district policy as well as the State Board of Education.
• Works collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the behavioral skills program and support the District’s vision, aims and goals.

Additional Duties:

To view the full job description, and to apply, click here.