Lead Special Education Teacher

Position Title: Lead Special Education Teacher

Classification: REA

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Summary Of Position

The Special Education Lead Teacher is designed to serve the unique needs of the building-level Special Education Department to ensure delivery of world-class special education services. The Special Education Lead Teacher ensures students’ needs are being met to promote systematic success as measured by achievement of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals, course grades, state assessments, and post-secondary entrance assessments. The Special Education Lead Teacher is also responsible for ensuring adherence to all special education laws and regulations for their assigned school(s).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties may be assigned.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following fundamental duties:

• Serve as a driving force of student achievement for students receiving special education services
• Collaborate closely with School Leadership Team, Special Education Program Coordinators, and Director of Special Education to ensure seamless delivery of special education services in the school. Address building level and parent questions/concerns regarding special education.
• Serve as liaison between special education and general education within the school building. Facilitate communication between administrators, teachers, staff, and parents guardians in matters related to special education.
• Develop effective IEPs that translate into measurable results for students. Review special education documents for program efficacy and adherence to special education regulations.
• Monitor and respond to students’ progress monitoring data and course grades.
• Serve as LEA Representative at IEP meetings.
• Serve as Chair of Manifestation Determination Meetings.
• Ensure finalized special education documents are provided to parents/guardians within two weeks of meeting date.
• Ensure students receive accommodations for state assessments and post-secondary entrance assessments.
• Maintain special education files in central, secure location.
• Develop monthly lists of IEPs, evaluation reports, and reevaluation reports due.
• Provide special education case management for students on assigned caseload.
• Collaborate with the Special Education Program Coordinator to place newly enrolled students.
• Provide expertise in developing FBAs/PBSPs.
• Serve as Special Education Case Manager for students on homebound or Instruction in the Home.
• Assist Special Education Case Managers with progress monitoring as needed.
• Structure shared experiences in school and extracurricular activities for students receiving special education services.
• Exhibits a “no excuses” mindset in procuring supports and services for students in need.
• Any other duties commensurate with the duties/responsibilities/grade of the post.
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years teaching experience in special education
• Documented academic success of students receiving special education services
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary team
• Excels in problem solving, has a sense of humor, and has a desire to provide only the highest quality services
• Explicit and relentless focus on outcomes
  
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PA Special Education K-12 required
• PA Administrative Certification preferred
• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership strongly preferred
  
  

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret periodicals, professional journals, legal documents, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and treatment plans.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clinical team members, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community.
  
  

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to perform basic mathematical concepts in the performance of routine assignments.
  
  

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of clinical and technical instructions in written, oral, diagram, mathematical, or schedule form and deal with abstract and concrete variables
• Ability to apply sound judgment to resolve conflicts and solve problems.
  
  

OTHER SKILLS And ABILITIES

• Strong problem-solving and team leadership skills
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clinical team members, clients, administrative staff, and members of the community.
• Ability to transport between client locations and school buildings
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all state law, regulation, and CCRES policies.
• Responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output of clinical team members.
• Ability to meet the demands of several people and clients.
• Ability to respond to several problems simultaneously.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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 enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and walk.
• The employee is frequently required to talk or listen.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle or feel, and to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The position requires meeting deadlines with severe time constraints, interacting with students, school personnel, and general public.
• The position demands travel to various regional locations.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics 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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times. The employee is frequently required to interact with the parents, public and staff during and after the normal workday. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience. (The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of subordinate staff.)

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.

PROF-Special Education Lead Teacher