Employment Opportunity – Special Education Teacher

The special education teacher works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide an educational program to children with severe speech and physical impairments. This individual is responsible for: assessing and evaluating students and programs; implementing curriculum; managing and supporting students in general education setting; planning components of the educational program and providing individual student case management; supervising instructional assistants, interns and volunteers; and participating in the ongoing development of Bridge School programs. The special education teacher reports to the Director of Education. 

Essential Functions 

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Evaluates student’s current level of functioning as it relates to learning foundations and areas of academics, using appropriately modified assessment tools, and leading to the development of comprehensive interdisciplinary educational plans 
• Develops and shares, in advance, weekly lesson plans predicated on goals and objectives detailed in the students’ IEP and associated with the educational curriculum 
• Regularly evaluates and reports on student progress, identifying strengths and needs to assist the team in making program modifications; reports of progress are based on appropriate IEP progress documentation and data collection 
• Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team to design an appropriate learning environment focusing on students’ active participation in all curricula activities, integrating core content areas and incorporating appropriate assistive technologies and adapted, multisensory materials; accommodates for individual and group learning needs 
• Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team to develop and implement appropriate instructional activities, based on established curriculum, which meet the individual learning needs of students and maximize communication and participation opportunities 
• Manages the inclusion of students in the general education environment: establish and maintain relations with general education staff; establish a schedule and arrange staffing for assigned students; develop general goals and an overall participation plan  
• Oversees the support of students in the general education setting: oversees inclusion documentation and completion of out-of-class assignments; meets with and shares materials and strategies on a regular basis with general education staff to ensure that students are prepared to participate in class; makes appropriate adaptations/modifications to assignments or materials used in the inclusion class; sets up equipment and technical solutions to enable students to be active participants in general education classrooms; develops appropriate tools to evaluate student’s progress and development in the general education environment 
• Manages individual student educational programs (as assigned), including: overseeing the child’s schedule to ensure his/her needs are met; overseeing communication from home to school and school to home; coordinating the agenda for student team meetings; conferring with outside team members as necessary; assisting the transition coordinator in planning for and implementing a successful transition 
• Collects, analyzes, and shares information with team on all student forms and documents 
• Supervises Instructional Assistants, interns, and volunteers, including: scheduling activities; training; mentoring and supervising; and conducting performance evaluation 
• Assists, as needed, in providing personal care for students 
• Participates in overall educational program and team planning and development activities, including activities to address Bridge School’s long-range strategic goals and initiatives 
• Participates in the ongoing information dissemination of Bridge School materials, resources and strategies through a variety of outreach activities 
• Participates in AAC development by providing opportunities for students to develop skills within the educational curriculum and provides observations during clinical trials of various devices and throughout the development of communication systems 
• Coordinates and utilizes AT/AAC to support student participation and access to educational program 
• Collects, analyzes, and reports observational data for research and dissemination purposes 
• Participates, as needed, in activities and programmatic development in the Outreach, Research and Bridge to Life division of The Bridge School 

Minimum Qualifications 

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, typically acquired through: 

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree in education, with an emphasis in the education of children with disabilities 

Special Requirements 

• Applicable California Teaching Credentials / Special Education with an Extensive Support Needs credential or Mild to Moderate credential holder willing to complete the requirements for ESN credential (further details in terms of financial support and timeline to be negotiated)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Knowledge of special education principles and strategies as applied to children with extensive speech and physical impairments 
• Knowledge of augmentative/alternative communication principles and strategies, and technology applications currently available in the field; 
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports, speak and write effectively and work under a minimum of direction 
• Ability to coordinate and direct a variety of complex tasks and assignments 
• Ability to elicit the cooperation of others and function as an effective team member 
• Ability to effectively support, train, and instruct other adult team members 
• Ability to achieve the professional confidence of others and to assimilate and relay information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions 
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions 
• Ability to operate assigned equipment, including computers and assistive technologies 
• Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities 

Working Conditions 

Work in a classroom/school environment, overseeing the physical, social and learning needs of children with extensive speech and physical impairments. 

This job description does not promise or imply that the functions listed are the only duties to be performed or that the position may not change or be eliminated. Employees are always expected to follow their supervisor’s instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors. 

If interested, please submit a cover letter and a resume for consideration to mfallen@bridgeschool.org.