Special Education Teacher

About Woodlands

Woodlands School, founded in 1936, has been a public charter school through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 2003. It currently enrolls more than 500 students in grades K4 through eighth grade at two campus sites in a multi-aged learning environment, Bluemound and State Street. It is known for achieving academic excellence within a safe and nurturing environment. The curriculum centers around “The Woodlands Way” which is a character-based education approach that helps a diverse population of students recognize and develop strong and positive values. It is based on the idea that strong character education creates happy, sensitive, creative children who grow into adults who are morally and socially responsible.

Summary (or Purpose)

This position is part of our Special Education Department which promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities in our multi-aged classrooms. Special Education instructors are an active member of the school community in helping educate pupils with disabilities. The incumbent will work with children ranging from K4- 8th grade.

Experience and Skills

• 1+ years of related experience, preferably with preschool/elementary/middle
• school-aged children
• Professional, prompt communication, and open collaborative skills with both special
• education and general education staff.
• Creativity and problem-solving skills to help best serve the needs of the students on the caseload and participate in continual improvement of the support services team.
• Experience with staff management, scheduling, and modeling of expected behavior.
• Co-teaching in a general education setting.
• Working knowledge and experience utilizing a variety of teaching methods to best
• support fluctuating student needs.
• Experience modifying and adapting academic content along with the method by which it is presented or re-taught.
• Experience with student de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

• This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as deemed appropriate.
• Facilitate IEP teams for students with special needs.
• Build strong relationships with students and families.
• Write and implement student IEP.
• Compile and maintain Special Education records
• Conduct assessments as needed for special education eligibility.
• Monitor and report progress toward IEP Goals and Objectives
• Complete all activities required for compliance with IDEA.
• Submit required reports and documentation to the administration to maintain date compliance with DPI.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of Special Education policies and procedures as well as the ability to fulfill them.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of basic computer skills including, but not limited to Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Excel
• Support students and parents with student placement, curriculum, and instructional issues
• Develop positive, collaborative relationships with teaching adults, students, and staff members.
• Keep detailed documentation from parent/student conferences.
• Duties:
• Schedule, document and fulfill IEP service minutes.
• Provide specialized instruction in the areas of mathematics, language arts, functional skills, and social skills.
• Collaborate with general education staff to differentiate learning material for
• students with disabilities
• Share co-teaching responsibilities with general educations teachers in the areas of assessment, instruction and Conduct functional behavioral assessments and write positive behavior intervention plans.
• Supervise, train and evaluate special education teacher assistants.
• Attend team meetings with both general education teacher teams and special education teacher teams.
• Assisting students who require support toileting.
• Support special education students during the de-escalation process.
• Prepares various reports and assists with the annual audit, as requested.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university
• Current 1801- Cross-Categorical Special Education license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Current 1809 - Early Childhood Special Education license from the Wisconsin
• Department of Public Instruction
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively present information to groups and one-on-one.
• Ability to operate a phone system and various office equipment, including a copier, fax, scanner and phone system.
• Ability to work Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to occasionally travel out-of-town and overnight.

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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required:

• To talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year