Special Educator

Overview

Evaluate and provide appropriate special education services to assigned children. Implement curriculum based on student's individualized academic, social, and behavioral needs. Communicate appropriately with professional staff and families of assigned students. Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with the regulations established by NYSED, DOH and other oversight agencies.

Responsibilities

STANDARD 1: Professional Duties

• Plan lessons and activities based on IEP & IFSP goals       
• Data collection of IEP & IFSP goals and treatment log notes for weekly sessions provided. 
• Submission of progress reports and report cards for students, as required. 
• Attend CSE, CPSE and/or IFSP meetings, as necessary.
• Address the behavioral needs of students through the use of positive behavior supports and adherence to students’ behavioral support plans.
• Provide or adapt materials to facilitate learning, communication and socialization.
• Collaborate with team members and other professionals.
• Demonstrate knowledge of job responsibilities and perform related duties as assigned.

STANDARD 1: Bilingual Professional Duties (if applicable)

• Communicate with families and students in their primary language to provide information to ensure understanding and to provide clarification when needed.
• Perform all job responsibilities related to communicating with families, in their primary language.
• Interpret for English only speaking staff that need to communicate directly with families.
• Support staff in conducting assessments and interviews in the student’s primary language.

STANDARD 2: Environment Management

• Responsible for health and safety of students.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.

STANDARD 3: Professional Behavior

• Perform other duties, as assigned.
• Conduct self in an appropriate manner at all times.
• Adhere to program specific policies and procedures.

STANDARD 4:  Professional Development

• Participate in continuing education activities and seek support to enhance knowledge in areas pertinent to students in the program.
• Participate in required professional development and trainings.

STANDARD 5:  Adheres to general policies of the organization/regulators including:

• Corporate Compliance
• Code of Ethical Conduct
• Departmental in-service education program requirements
• Quality Improvement Activities
• Policies and procedures (attendance, punctuality, appearance, professional attitude, etc.)
• Regulatory requirements
• Emergency/disaster preparedness protocols
• Fire prevention and safety protocols
• Infection control practices and procedures
• Annual physical examination, medically approved Tuberculin test and risk assessment, and required immunizations
• Active supervision of students

STANDARD 6: Performs other related duties as required

• Demonstrate an understanding of the special needs of all students.
• Modify strategies, activities and/or therapeutic interventions to meet the students’ individual needs.
• Display initiative and interest in departmental advancement/needs.
• Respond quickly to students and/or parent/guardian’s request, refer to appropriate member of the care team, if necessary, and inform supervisor of actions taken.
• Promote positive co-worker relationships, teamwork and cooperation.
• Demonstrate flexibility as well as the ability to handle numerous respon
• Take individual responsibility for providing outstanding service quality.
• Maintain student and family confidentiality.
• Be consistently courteous and considerate, in person and on the telephone, in interactions with students and others such as family, visitors, vendors, and other employees.
• Exhibit the “At Your Service” attitude, i.e., smile, use positive eye contact, friendly, open and approachable.

STANDARD 7: Supervision

• Take an active role in supervision sessions by contributing ideas, asking questions, seeking clarification and implementing recommendations.

STANDARD  8: Cultural Competencies

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of disability, genders, ethnicity and races
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviors to create an inclusive, equitable and welcoming enviro
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services to students and families

Qualifications

EDUCATION: Special Educator I  □  Bachelor’s Degree Required     Special Educator II  □  Master’s Degree Required

New York State Certification:

□ Early Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities (Birth-2)

□ Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)

□ Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities (Grades 5-9) 

□ Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities (Grades 7-12)

□ Students with Disabilities (All Grades)

EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS: Prior special education teaching experience preferred.

Physical aspects may include but are not limited to lifting and transferring of a student.