Job Title:  Elementary Educator, Hearing Impaired

Department: Special Services

Pay Grade:  Teacher's Salary Schedule

Reports to:  Principal

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Purpose Statement

The Springfield, Missouri Public School District is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Special Services Educator.

The Springfield School District is Missouri’s largest public school district and has built a reputation of academic excellence based on the outstanding performance of our students and schools. About 25,000 students attend 36 elementary schools, an intermediate school, 9 middle schools, 5 high schools and a variety of alternative education and choice programs.

The Special Services Educator will provide support to the instructional program by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing special education students' success in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living; supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group an individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines; collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students' parents or guardians regarding instructional program and student progress.

Essential Functions

• Administers developmental testing programs, subject specific assessments, etc. for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans.
• Administers under supervision, first aid and assistance to medically fragile children (e.g. tube feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for children as assigned.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations; student's achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals (e.g. behavioral, motor development and communication skills, academic needs, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, problem solving techniques and a variety of personal issues.
• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addressing individual student requirements.
• Differentiates classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Directs student teachers, paraprofessionals, volunteers and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual needs of students.
• Facilitates student learning (e.g. creating a learning environment, integrating technology, arranging field trips, organizing age appropriate activities, ) for the purpose of achieving success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through defined lesson plans.
• Instructs students for the purpose of improving their success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through a defined course of study.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic files and records (e.g. test scores, student evaluations, IEPs, etc.) for the purpose of providing up-to-date information and/or historical reference in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, ) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. Professional Development, staff meetings, IEPs, Whole Faculty Study Groups, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, IEPs, lesson plans, ) for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• Reports health and safety issues to administrative personnel and/or appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behaviors, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Responds to inquires from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, ) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction.
• Supports classroom teachers for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of established curriculum and/or individual student plans.

Job Requirements (Minimum Qualifications)

Knowledge is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read technical information, compose a variety of documents and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: appropriate codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; age appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; behavioral management strategies and knowledge of the IB Diploma program and its relation to the IBCP.

Skills are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining organized records, preparing and maintaining accurate records; applying assessment instruments; and operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications.

Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: developing and maintaining positive relationships; setting high expectations for self and others; setting and monitoring progress toward goals; utilizing and offering effective feedback to continuously improve; collaborating and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders; applying critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; exhibiting tact and patience; and working flexible hours.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all schedules hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Springfield School District and is appropriate for their position.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as full-time exempt certified position.  The terms of employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Missouri public school and Board of Education policy, as those laws and policies may change from time to time, and the Teacher Contract.  If your position is represented by Collective Bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between SPS and that Collective Bargaining representative.

Experience

Job related experience, required

Education

Bachelor’s degree in job-related area, required

Miscellaneous Requirements

Background clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required

Certificates and Licenses

• Eligible for special education certification in Missouri in one or a combination of the following areas: Mild-moderate disabilities (includes LD, BD/ED, MR, OHI), cross-categorical hearing impaired, visually impaired or severe developmental disabilities, required
• Certified in deaf and hearing impaired required.
• Ability to gain and maintain “Highly Qualified” status as defined by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, required

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 40% walking and 50% standing.

The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.