Special Education Teacher (24-25 School Year) - Fort Smith Public Schools

*Out of state applicants please provide Arkansas Department of Education's

verification of provisional licensure eligibility*

Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Special Education Teacher (24-25 School Year)

FLSA: Exempt

LOCATION: District Wide

REPORTS TO: Principal and Director of Special Education

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: A full contract for this position is 190 days, with benefits as specified in employee contract. Contract will be prorated based on actual start date.  

BEGINNING: 24-25 School Year

QUALIFICATIONS:Must meet AR licensure requirements

DISTRICT VALUES

• We will always put student needs first.
• We believe relationships matter.
• We expect accountability.
• We operate with transparency.
• We prioritize student and staff safety.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Observe student behavior and learning, communicating observations regularly.
• Strong communication with parents. 
• Assist children with preparing for and moving to other classrooms, school activities, outside activities and arrival and departure from school. 
• Help children with clothing, grooming, health habits and bathroom activities.
• Notify immediately appropriate personnel of any evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect and severe medical conditions.
• Maintain a safe working condition and safely operate electronic and other equipment needed to carry out job functions and responsibilities. 
• Display ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school personnel and outside agencies associated with the school.
• Plan and coordinate the work of paraprofessionals.
• Diagnose and evaluate student abilities and progress in a timely and consistent manner.
• Monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Plan a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Remain current on instructional practices in Special Education.
• Teaches reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and other appropriate learning activities to students in the classroom, utilizing the curriculum adopted by the Board of Education
• Adhere to all aspects of the student’s Individualized Education Plan.
• Implements a variety of effective instructional strategies consistent with lesson objectives and grade level expectations.
• Provides planned learning experiences in order to motivate students and best utilize the available time for instruction
• Assesses student performance results and develops lesson plans and instructional materials for the class including individualized and small group instruction as necessary in order to adapt the curriculum performance standards to the needs of each student
• Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction accordingly
• Maintains an atmosphere of respect and rapport ensuring all interactions are respectful (student to student, student to teacher, teacher to student, and teacher to teacher)
• Establishes and maintains standards of behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom
• Evaluates academic and social growth of students, keeps appropriate records, prepares progress reports, and communicates with parents on the individual student's progress
• Identifies students’ needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and reflects high expectations for student engagement and learning.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Maintains accurate, complete, timely, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation
• Maintains professional competence through participation in professional development activities provided by the District and/or self-selected professional growth activities
• Administers standardized assessments as mandated by the school district and state
• Participates in curriculum development programs within the school of assignment and/or on a District level
• Participates in grade level collaboration, planning, as part of PLCs, as well as school committees
• Supervises students on recess, bus, during before and after school duty, on field trips, extracurricular events, and in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance 
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain positive professional working relationships with others
• Maintains emotional control under stress
• Abide by state statutes, school board policies, and regulations
• Performs other duties as assigned 

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Must have the ability to lift at least 40 pounds occasionally
• May be required to physically move students or equipment weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to endure prolonged standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, occasional reaching above the head or the shoulders, bending, and squatting

*Please note: School location and grade are subject to change at any time based on district need. 

See Certified Staff Salary Schedule   

For our salary schedule, click this link to visit our district website.

If seeing this posting on a job site, please apply here

https://fortsmithschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx if interested.