Special Education Teacher Expert Elementary with Department Chair Addenda

Job Summary

The Elementary Special Education Instructional Support Teacher provides ongoing staff development, program oversight, and curricular guidance under the direct supervision of the director of Elementary Special Education.

This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale.

Information on the pay scale can be found online on our . This position’s grade level, content area taught, and work site may change dependent upon student enrollment and district staffing needs.

Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.

40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits.

Job Requirements :

The following are required :

• A valid Alaska teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of teaching or related experience in special education.
• Evidence of content knowledge shown by : a posted degree in the content area of this position; or a posted minor in the content area of this position;

or passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of this position; or an endorsement in the content area of this position

The following are preferred :

• A master's degree in special education or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of teaching or related experience in behavior management.
• Experience working collaboratively with special education administration to support the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs of special education students.
• Knowledge of federal, state, district, and school procedures, regulations, and policies for the special education process.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with administrators, teachers, parents, and community groups.
• Evidence of strong written, verbal, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and manage time, and ability to adjust work day and / or hours to accommodate department needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, coordinates, and delivers quality staff development and training on research-based best practices and strategies for working with students.
• Assists in the data collection, analysis, and review of program development and implementation, and monitors progress of students and groups of students.
• Organizes curriculum projects and disseminates instructional programs and materials to school staff for use with students.
• Collaborates with special education administration, central office staff, school staff, parents, and other groups as requested, on issues pertaining to areas of need for students.
• Can describe their philosophy of education and demonstrate its relationship to their practice.
• Understands how students learn and develop, and applies that knowledge in their practice.
• Supports teachers in establishing and maintaining standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
• Supports the organization of class time and schedule development to provide a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, work time, and assessment.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and in harmony with the goals establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Knows the teacher's content area and how to teach it. Supports teachers in the following areas : Develops lesson plans and instructional material and provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils.

Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

• Uses current technology to enhance instruction.
• Uses technology for record-keeping and research.
• Applies knowledge of current research and theory to the instructional program.
• Facilitates, monitors, and assesses student learning.
• Evaluates pupils' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
• Identifies pupil needs and makes appropriate referrals and develops strategies for individual education plans.
• Creates and maintains a learning environment in which all students are actively engaged and contributing members.
• Supports teachers in creating a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Supports teachers in creating an environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of student's work.
• Supports teachers in working as a partner with parents, families, and the community.
• Supports teachers in communicating regularly with parents by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Participates in and contributes to the teaching profession.

Physical / Mental Demands

The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required.

The employee is regularly required to reach with his / her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs.

Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure.

The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.