Special Education Life Skills Teacher 24/25 SY

Job Description

TITLE : Special Education Teacher

WHO WE ARE :

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence.

Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a purpose.

We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.

Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment.

We are an organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the Indianapolis community.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY :

We are looking for a Special Education Teacher who will positively impact student success by planning, carrying out, evaluating, and supervising instructional activities.

Our Special Education Teacher plays a key role in ensuring that students receive access to rigorous math curriculum and instruction through authentic engagement.

As a member of the Unified Student Supports Team, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.

WHAT YOU’LL DO :

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

May serve as Teacher of Record or Teacher of Service in accordance with the District’s Special Education Procedures Manual and Article 7

Participates in case conference committee meetings as students’ teacher to assist in developing measurable goals, benchmarks, and objectives to meet student needs.

Regularly monitor the implementation of the student’s IEP and provide progress reports to the student’s parent.

Ensures students’ IEPs are available to the appropriate teachers and service providers who are responsible for implementation of the IEP.

Ensures all supplementary aids, services, program modifications and supports for school personnel are provided in accordance with each student’s IEP.

Ensures any accommodations on statewide or district assessments are implemented according to the student’s IEP.

Participates in reevaluations of the student.

When serving as Teacher of Records, ensures the case conference committee is informed of any modifications made to the student’s IEP in accordance with 511 IAC 7-42-9(e)(2) and 511 IAC 7-42-9(g).

Works with administrators, other Teachers, and / or instructional teams to plan and implement instruction according to the District approved and adopted curriculum;

Develops daily lesson plans and presents lessons, using a variety of instructional methods and techniques, to ensure that the Teacher effectively covers the curriculum in a timely manner throughout the semester or school year

• Monitors, assists, corrects, re-teaches and remediates student performance to ensure student progress;
• Diagnoses and analyzes student progress and programs for the purpose of providing appropriate instruction based on the developmental stages and needs of students;
• Effectively manages student behavior in the classroom and throughout the building, and administers appropriate discipline when necessary to achieve proper behavior;
• Maintains contact with parents through parent-teacher conferences, telephone, written communications, and District approved platforms;

adjustments (error pattern analysis), evaluate social growth, keep appropriate records, and prepare progress reports

• Participates in faculty meetings, staff development activities, and personal professional growth activities focused on the acquisition of new and improved skills and knowledge;
• Conducts standardized tests in accordance with State guidelines, District policies, the Principal’s expectations;
• Maintains all records as required, including but not limited to grade books, attendance records and student progress reports;
• Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology, as job appropriate, being used in the District. With the support of the District, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position;

Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities his or her designee may assign.

Day In the Life Overview

On a regular day, as the Special Education Teacher, you might :

Prepare rigorous, engaging lessons and other instructional materials to meet the individual needs of all students

Support students in reaching their individualized education plan goals and standards

Provide direct, explicit comprehension instruction

Write Individualized Education Plans for students on your caseload

Hold parent conferences regarding academic achievement and behavioral issues

Work collaboratively with other staff

WHAT YOU’ll BRING : SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following :

Highly-developed communications skills (written / verbal) and interpersonal savvy

Results / action-orientation; project management skills

Racial equity mindset and other critical indicators related to DEI

Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills

Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust

Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment

Strong strategic analysis skills

Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet IPS Instructional needs

A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors

Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities

Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment

Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills

Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise

Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively

Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy

Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence

Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree in Education (B.A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university

Valid Indiana Teaching License in Special Education

Working knowledge of federal and state special education laws, rules, and practices including IDEA and Article 7

Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education policies, practices and programs

FLSA CLASSIFICATION :

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK :

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

The physical requirements 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear.

The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms;

and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.