HOPI JUNIOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Exceptional Student Service Teacher             

REPORTS TO: ESS Director

DEPARTMENT: Exceptional Student Services                            

CATEGORY: Certified

CONTRACT TERM: Ten Months (10)                                           

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: Highly qualified Exceptional Student Services (ESS) teachers who are innovative, enthusiastic and looking for the opportunity to prepare students for a successful future. Hopi Junior/Senior High School is committed to helping all students develop skills in the areas of personal-social growth, educational planning and career and vocational development.  The ESS teacher creates a positive learning environment to facilitate the personal, social and intellectual development of students. In order to respond to the individual needs and abilities of students, the ESS teacher must work closely with other staff, the administration and other programs of the school district.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Designs and facilitates culturally appropriate instruction for middle school students consistent with the Vision, Philosophy, and Student Outcomes established by the Hopi/Junior High School Governing Board.
2. Instructs students and prepares academic lessons to use in class that effectively cover the material through lectures, discussions, visual aids, and other effective teaching methods for student comprehension and accommodating all student learning styles.
3. Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of students. Focus lesson design requiring active student engagement.
4. Provide opportunities for students to “showcase” their learning (i.e. theatre production, music shows, oratory presentations, speech contests, creative writing, collaborative learning projects, project-based learning exhibits).
5. Administers various types of assessments and evaluates students’ academic and social growth, keeps ongoing appropriate records, and prepares quarterly progress reports.
6. Maintains a safe and supportive learning environment for students upholding high standards of classroom behavior fostering the academic, social, emotional, cultural and creative development of the whole student.
7. Regularly attends faculty meetings and professional development sessions.
8. Meets with students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day.
9. Adheres to local- state- and national testing procedures and standards.
10. Modifies and develops daily curriculum techniques required for individual learning styles.
11. Implements assessment methods for students who require ESS services and assistance which include Child Find, referral, screening, identification, assessment/ evaluation, Multi-disciplinary Team review, parent and staff consultation, IEP development, inclusion model services (least restrictive environment), service delivery and timelines, IEP review updating, referral, placement, and other required services for eligible students.
12. Assists the ESS Coordinator in the development of policies, procedures, materials, and curriculum strategies, which compliment P.L. 94-142 purposes and intent and guidelines.
13. Ensures that opportunities for parents are made consistently available in IEP development; implementation, and evaluation.
14. Acts as a Case Manager for assigned Exceptional Student Service students on the ESS teacher’s caseload. This includes tracking student’s IEP and evaluation data, related services and any other paperwork needed for the students.  The Exceptional Student Service Teacher collaborates with regular education teachers and parents to ensure that the ESS students are receiving services indicated on the IEP.
15. Monitors student progress and participates in review and revision of IEP as appropriate. Completes report cards and progress reports on each student's progress.
16. Assists other professional staff in diagnosis of learning disorders, development of planned remediation and evaluation of student progress.
17. Conducts communication regarding ESSl Education/Exceptional Education Program and other students in accordance with Privacy Act, Confidentiality Act, and other regulatory provisions.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. Knowledge of best practice teaching strategies.
2. Knowledge of best practices in classroom management.
3. Knowledge of data assessment and disaggregation.
4. Knowledge of general safety rules and techniques.
5. Knowledge of district rules of conduct and ethics.
6. Skills in monitoring and correcting student behavior.
7. Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
8. Professional verbal and written communication skills; ability to instruct and maintain emotional control under stress.
9. Knowledge of Governing Board rules of conduct and policy.
10. Skill in communicating orally and in writing.
11. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others, requiring the ability to interact professionally and courteously with students, faculty, staff and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Valid Arizona State Certification in Special Education.
2. Possess a valid Arizona Elementary or Secondary Teaching Certificate at the appropriate level or ability to obtain the necessary certification to function in the capacity of Junior High School ESS teacher.
3. Bachelor’s Degree in ESS or related Education Field (college transcripts required).
4. Experience in policy Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and/or administration with ESS services.
5. Applicants must have 12 semester hours of course work in the particular area of specialization (Special Education). All professional educators must meet the certification standards for the position in the State where the position is located which may include certifications issued by other states recognized by the State in its Teacher Certification Reciprocity Program.

PREFERRED QUAILIFICATIONS:

1. Hopi/Indian Preference in employment considered.
2. Valid State Driver Licenses.
3. Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
4. Must successfully pass employment background checks within the last five years which include state, federal and local tribe.

INDIAN PREFERENCE POLICY: Hopi/Indian preference in employment will be practiced, in accordance to the Hopi Tribe, “any person who is presently an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe.” Shall mean that in selection process Indian candidates who meet or surpass qualifications for a position shall be given preference for positions established by the Governing Board.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Within the scope of Indian preference, all candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin or other non-merit factors.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION LANGUAGE: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this agency.  The decision in granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes to walk and sit.  Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs., such as boxes of books and mobile carts. 

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.  The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff.  The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work of students.