School Psychologist

Special Education Teacher/Intervention SpecialistI Bay City, TX

Full-Time 40 hours/week
Caseload: Early Childhood
5 students, 1 teacher, 1 aide
Self-contained behavior classroom
Specifically looking for a background in behavior
Pay: $32-40 an hour

Job Tasks:
1. Instruction and Curriculum Delivery
Provide Direct Academic Instruction: Special education teachers are responsible for delivering daily instruction in subjects such as reading, math, science, and social studies. They adapt lessons to meet students' learning levels, ensuring they can access the general curriculum.
Create and Adapt Lesson Plans: Unlike BCBAs or school psychologists, who focus on behavior or psychological support, special education teachers create individualized lesson plans to ensure students with disabilities can meet academic standards.
Teach in Self-Contained or Inclusive Classrooms: Special education teachers may work in self-contained classrooms, where all students have disabilities, or co-teach in inclusive classrooms alongside general education teachers. They ensure that students with IEPs receive academic instruction tailored to their needs.
2. IEP Development and Implementation
Lead IEP Meetings: Special education teachers are key figures in the development and review of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). While BCBAs and school psychologists contribute assessments and behavioral goals, special education teachers take the lead in setting academic objectives and designing instructional plans.
Implement IEP Goals Daily: Special education teachers are directly responsible for implementing the goals set in the IEP on a day-to-day basis. This includes adjusting teaching methods and materials to ensure students are meeting their learning goals in core subjects.
3. Differentiated Instruction and Adaptation
Differentiate Instruction for Diverse Learners: Special education teachers must provide differentiated instruction that meets the needs of students with a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, autism, and cognitive impairments. This can involve breaking lessons into smaller steps, providing additional support, or using specialized instructional techniques.
Modify Curriculum to Match Student Needs: Special education teachers modify the standard curriculum to align with students' cognitive and developmental levels. This includes altering lesson difficulty, creating visual aids, using assistive technology, and adapting learning materials to support accessibility.
Small Group and One-on-One Instruction: Special education teachers often provide intensive small group or one-on-one instruction to ensure that students with disabilities grasp key academic concepts, particularly when working with students who have significant learning challenges.
4. Academic Progress Monitoring
Track and Assess Academic Growth: Special education teachers regularly assess student performance and document academic progress. They analyze this data to adjust instructional strategies and ensure students are making meaningful progress toward their IEP goals.
Provide Formative and Summative Assessments: Special education teachers design and administer assessments that measure academic growth and understanding, unlike school psychologists who focus on broader cognitive or emotional assessments.
5. Classroom Management and Structure
Establish and Maintain a Structured Learning Environment: Special education teachers are responsible for creating a classroom environment that supports both academic and social learning. They use classroom routines, visual schedules, and structured teaching techniques to create consistency and support for students with disabilities.
Behavior Management in the Classroom: While BCBAs specialize in behavior intervention, special education teachers manage classroom behavior using positive reinforcement and proactive strategies to minimize disruptions and ensure all students can learn effectively.
6. Instruction in Life Skills and Functional Academics
Teach Life Skills and Independence: Special education teachers often teach students practical life skills, such as self-care, money management, social communication, and vocational skills, especially for students with more significant disabilities. This is particularly important for students with intellectual disabilities or severe autism.
Focus on Functional Academics: For students with more significant cognitive impairments, special education teachers may shift their focus from traditional academics to functional skills that support daily living and future independence.
7. Collaboration with General Education Teachers
Co-Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms: Special education teachers frequently collaborate with general education teachers in inclusive classrooms, providing additional support to students with disabilities. They modify instruction and materials, co-plan lessons, and ensure that students with special needs can participate in general education activities.
General Education Curriculum Support: They work directly with general education teachers to help modify the curriculum, assignments, and assessments for students with IEPs, ensuring these students can succeed in mainstream classrooms.
8. Assistive Technology and Tools
Use of Assistive Technology in Learning: Special education teachers often integrate assistive technology, such as communication devices, speech-to-text tools, and specialized software, to help students with disabilities access the curriculum and communicate more effectively.
Train Students in the Use of Technology: They also teach students how to use assistive devices or software independently, which can be critical for students with physical or communication challenges.
9. Support for Social-Emotional Development (within an Academic Setting)
Incorporate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): While school psychologists focus on emotional well-being, special education teachers incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) directly into academic lessons, teaching students how to manage emotions, build relationships, and develop social skills within a classroom setting.
Classroom-Based Emotional Regulation: Special education teachers implement strategies to help students manage emotions, cope with frustration, and engage positively with peers and staff, creating a balanced environment that supports both learning and emotional growth.
10. Preparation for Transition to Adulthood
Vocational Training and Transition Planning: Special education teachers often prepare older students for the transition from high school to adulthood by teaching job readiness skills, coordinating work-study programs, and preparing students for employment or post-secondary education.
Help Develop Transition Plans: Special education teachers play a key role in developing transition plans for students aged 14 and older, outlining the steps needed to achieve post-school goals, such as employment, vocational training, or independent living.

For more informationabout this position, please contact Mark Anzaloneat mark.anzalone@procaretherapy.com or by calling 904-977-6960. Resumes should be sent to my email if interested.

Mark Anzalone
Procare Therapy
Account Executive
mark.anzalone@procaretherapy.com
904-977-6960