QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Hold appropriate Illinois State Certification
2. Hold appropriate Early Childhood Special Education Approval
3. Preferably hold certification or approvals in any or all of these areas: EMH, LD, Social/Emotional, TMH, PH
OR
4. Hold Early Childhood Certification plus all four of the following courses:
a. Survey of Exceptional Children
b. The Development of Language in Young Children
c. Early Childhood Assessment
d. The School Curriculum and Organization or Early Childhood Curriculum and Organization
REPORTS TO:
1. Principal
2. Director of Pupil Personnel
JOB GOALS:
1. Provide education to the children in their classes regardless of the nature or extent of their developmental delays or handicaps, accept them at current functioning levels and build on existing strengths to the maximum extent possible
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide for group socialization activities
2. Provide mainstreaming to the maximum extent possible
3. Lend support and advice to the parent for at-home intervention regarding readiness activities and management
4. Help parents develop realistic expectations regarding their children
5. Communicate regularly to parents regarding progress in an understandable manner
6. Encourage parents to attend classroom observation sessions
7. Develop the following skills:
(a) attending,
(b) social skills,
(c) self-help skills,
(d) language,
(e) academic readiness,
(g) muscle coordination,
(h) cognitive abilities,
(i) a broadening of basic life experiences
8. Evaluate and assess each child's growth both formally and informally at the time of the annual review
9. Work and cooperate in a transdisciplinary model with all related staff. This includes, but is not limited to: using communication booklets in class, doing oral motor activities (e.g. feeding), and OT and PT positioning on a daily basis as instructed by the therapists. Holding team meetings as necessary and informing therapists of service needs
10. Use a transdisciplinary model when working with parents
11. Plan and implement community based field trips related to experience units
At all times you are in or on school premises you are charged with the responsibility, as an employee of the Board of Education, for the supervision of students to provide for their safety and well being while they are in our charge.
If program is housed in an offsite facility additional teacher responsibilities
include but are not limited to the following:
SECRETARIAL:
1. Distribute mail and phone messages for related staff
2. Call parents in regard to absences, lateness or injuries
3. Make necessary contacts concerning needed repair and maintenance
4. Make necessary arrangements and contacts for school related activities
CUSTODIAL: (Custodians on staff only between 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.)
1. Open and secure the building when necessary
2. Make necessary contacts when custodial needs arise
FIRST AID:
1. Attend to minor medical situations and contact school nurse when necessary
OTHER:
1. Carry out Fire, Tornado and Emergency drills
2. Make necessary contacts if parents or buses are late
3. Make necessary contacts to schedule night conferences, Open House, etc.
4. Supervise bus and door duty