Job Title: Teacher, Special Education Transition

Location: Transition Program North, 4839 North 72 nd Street, Omaha, NE 68134

Reports To: Program Director

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: A per negotiated agreement / Exempt

Salary Schedule: Commensurate with experience and education plus 5 percent of the regular teaching salary / As outlined in applicable negotiated agreement

Program/Position Purpose: The Transition Program serves students with disabilities ages 18-21, who demonstrate continuing needs in the areas of employment, independent living and continuing education following the completion of 12th grade at a traditional high school.

The teacher monitors the young adult's performance in a competitive community job, job coaching in a work placement and life skills instruction. Plans for, teaches and facilitates learning for students. Creates a positive learning environment. Maintains progress, records, and discipline. Works collaboratively with students, parents, building staff, and other Individual Education Program team members to provide and implement the transition services to meet the needs of each student. Maintains a safe environment with clearly defined expectations with consistent procedures and routines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid NE Teaching Certificate with endorsement in secondary Special Education.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Professional verification of successful classroom teacher performance and/or student teaching experience.
• Evidence of the willingness and ability to comply with standards for ethical and professional performance established by the State Board of Education.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students.
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
• Skill in organization, time management, communication, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver teaching instruction in accordance with approved curriculum and standards.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• A demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Ability to understand the individual needs of each student.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Outlook and the student information system.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and special education students.
• Knowledge of OPS's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Instruction in independent living skills (cooking, shopping, meal planning, budgeting, using public transportation, etc).
• Providing training in an appropriate work setting with work experiences ranging from workshop placements to supervised community training placements to competitive job placement.
• Providing social skills instruction transferring into real life community settings such as restaurants, shopping situations and recreational facilities.
• Provide instruction tailored to the student's unmet transition needs.
• Maintaining a classroom/work atmosphere conducive to enhancing interpersonal relationships, social skills, problem resolution, and decision making.
• Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Completes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) as needed based on individual student needs.
• Developing students' cognitive capacity and respect for learning.
• Positively fostering students' self-esteem.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Planning for and guiding the learning process to help students achieve program objectives.
• Selecting and using effective instructional methods and learning materials.
• Establishing a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with parents/ guardians/ staff.
• Engaging in professional growth activities through an ongoing program of job-related knowledge and skill development.
• Working collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the school's program and support the District's vision, aims and goals.
• Integrating of the themes of leadership, technology, and communication with a diverse population.
• Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as administrative regulations and procedures of the Omaha Public Schools.
• Coordinates with other school professional staff members and participates in faculty meetings and committees.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Building or Central Office Administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use assistive technology in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with OPS's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in school building environments.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and other stakeholders.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the building administration in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to stakeholder needs and maintain a positive attitude with all.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external stakeholders in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt certified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time, and the Teacher Contract. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• Verification of a valid Nebraska Teaching License or other required license.
• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).
• Execution and delivery to OPS of a Teacher Contract presented by OPS.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.