QUALIFICATIONS: Appropriate South Carolina Teaching Certification in Special Education (Multi-Catagorical, MD, TMD)

Reports to: Principal

Days: 190

Position Summary

The Special Education Teacher for a self-contained classroom in an exclusively special education program serves students with intellectual disabilities who require moderate to significant levels of support, including students with complex medical needs. This position is responsible for creating a structured, compassionate, and responsive learning environment that supports students’ academic, functional, and developmental growth. The teacher implements Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) designed to meet each student’s unique cognitive, physical, communication, and social-emotional needs. Collaboration with families, related service providers, and support staff is essential to ensure students’ educational, medical, and emotional needs are addressed in a coordinated and respectful manner.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate, differentiated instructional plans aligned with IEP goals and state standards, including functional academics, life skills, and sensory-based learning activities.
• Utilize assistive technology and alternative or augmentative communication systems to support student access, engagement, and independence.
• Establish and maintain a structured, safe, and nurturing classroom environment that promotes positive behavior and addresses students’ sensory, physical, and social-emotional needs.
• Develop and implement individualized behavior supports using evidence-based practices, in collaboration with the IEP team and support staff.
• Support students’ medical needs in accordance with care plans, including medication administration and health monitoring, under the direction of licensed medical professionals and district protocols.
• Respond to student escalation using de-escalation strategies and approved crisis intervention techniques, in accordance with district policies and student safety plans.
• Ensure compliance with district and state health, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with families to share student progress, reinforce home–school collaboration, and support family engagement.
• Collaborate with the IEP team to develop, implement, and monitor IEPs that establish meaningful goals, track progress, and coordinate appropriate supports and services.
• Maintain accurate documentation, data collection, and records in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements.
• Participate in school and district professional development focused on improving instructional practices and services for students with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether like or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to subordinates and receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of professional, financial and legal reports and documentation, policy and procedure manuals, job applications, etc. Requires the ability to prepare general reports, presentation materials, correspondence, recommendations, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to apply influence systems in supervising staff; to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach employees. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational/cultural backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including human resource management, education, education administration, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under significant stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the school district as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Teacher - Special Education/Self-Contained Classroom (Moderate Intellectual Disabilities). Has knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of the district and other governmental agencies. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.

Can help ensure departmental and district compliance with all labor / human resources laws and regulations. Can develop and maintain a positive rapport with district employees. Can make sound, educated decisions.

Knows how to plan, organize and direct support staff. Knows how to apply supervisory and managerial concepts and principles; has knowledge of administrative principles involved in developing, directing and supervising various programs and related activities.

Has the ability to plan and develop daily, short- and long-term goals related to district purposes. Can take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Has knowledge of modern office practices and technology; has skill in the use of computers for word and data processing and records management. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Can read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Can assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner. Can maintain confidentiality as required. Can produce quality work despite the stress of deadlines. Has knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Knows how to make public presentations. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work: Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints to established and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.

Planning: Plans, coordinates and uses information effectively to enhance activities and production. Knows and understands expectations regarding such activities and works to ensure such expectations are met. Develops and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve established goals and objectives. Effectively and efficiently organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources to achieve such goals and objectives.

Organizing: Efficiently organizes own work and that of subordinate staff. Ensures that personnel understand what results are expected of them, and that each is regularly and appropriately informed of all matters affecting or of concern to them.

Staffing: Works with upper management, where appropriate, to select and recommend employment of qualified personnel. Personally directs the development and training of personnel under charge, ensuring their proper induction, orientation and training.

Leading: Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to personnel under charge concerning their performance. Commends and rewards personnel under charge for outstanding performance and takes timely and appropriate disciplinary action as necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward achievement of established goals and objectives.

Controlling: Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits, and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits, and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of established standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating: Assigns duties as necessary and/or appropriate to meet goals, enhance abilities of personnel under charge, build their confidence and assist them in personal growth. Has confidence in personnel under charge to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making: Exercises discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting functions under charge. Recognizes when a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not foster the desired result and moves decisively and explicitly to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity: Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of functions under charge. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not averse to change that supports achievement of goals and objectives.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain excellent rapport with personnel under charge. Listens to and considers their suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Establishes a work environment to promote and maintain mutual respect.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of policies regarding functions under charge and the function of the organization. Adheres to policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from personnel under charge.

Policy Formulation: Maintains awareness of changes in operating philosophies and policies and routinely reviews policies to ensure any changes in philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated into functions under charge. Recognizes and understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and morale and performance. Strives to ensure that established policies enhance same.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Spartanburg School District Seven does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, disability, age, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups as required by law.