QUALIFICATIONS:

• A valid teaching certificate obtained through the South Dakota Department of Education
• Meet/exceed the requirements for this position as specified by the Department of Education and Teacher Code of Ethics
• A minimum of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education K-12
• Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

• To identify the individual needs of each student and create a healthy, inspiring and supportive learning environment that leads students to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially to their fullest potential.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement special education processes and eligibility guidelines
• Assess students’ skills to determine qualifications and needs for special education services
• Develop well-rounded Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for each student
• Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track progress
• Collect evidence/data weekly/biweekly to reflect students’ progress and goals
• Communicate effectively and confidentially with all stakeholders; especially parents
• Collaborate and plan with general education teachers, related services, paraprofessionals and other staff on a regular basis
• Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students in inclusive classroom settings
• Guide general educators on how to adapt curriculum materials and teaching techniques to meet the needs of students with disabilities within the general classroom setting
• Supervise and mentor paraprofessionals who work with students with disabilities
• Design schedules to provide instruction in the resource room and support in the general classroom based on student’s needs and service requirements within their IEP
• Develop weekly lesson plans and use various teaching methods to promote learning, including intensive individualized instruction, evidence-based interventions, problem-solving strategies, social skills, and small-group work
• Adapt and modify lessons to meet the needs of students in a variety of settings
• Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques such as phonetics, multi-sensory learning, explicit instruction, and repetition to reinforce learning and to meet students' varying needs and interests
• Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, as determined by the students’ individualized education plan by employing techniques in an overall positive behavioral support system, along with developing, implementing and modifying behavior plans
• Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities
• Effective time management; prepared, organized, goal-oriented, team player
• Complete various tasks based on students' needs: i.e. transportation, bathrooming needs, lifting, scheduling, seizure protocols, etc. 
• Complete all duties assigned by the principal, director, and/or superintendent