LTS-Early Childhood Special Educator

South Burlington School District

About South Burlington School District:

At South Burlington School District we believe in supporting the whole employeeinside and outside the workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes amazing competitively priced health insurance dental coverage sick time professional time and other leaves. Additionally we offer a robust retirement plan which for educators is through VT State Teachers Retirement; and for other staff consists of a 403b plan with up to 6% provided by the district. Employees may also enjoy professional development opportunities tuition reimbursement wellness initiatives Employee Assistance Programs and meaningful work that directly impacts student success and community growth.

Job title: Early Childhood Education Special Educator

Location: Assigned School

Job Group: Educator

Pay Level: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Student Support Services

Summary: Case manages coordinates and provides an effective and efficient system of Special Education and Support Services designed to meet the needs of assigned students consistent with state and federal law. Effectively integrate students into the least restrictive environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

1. Integrates current best practices research and special education laws into the education of students with disabilities to assure compliance with state and federal laws and to provide the most effective educational program for assigned students by:

1. Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of assigned students including: characteristic signs of developmental delay or handicapping conditions; intellectual social and emotional characteristics of age group; students varied approaches to learning; student skills and knowledge; student interests and cultural heritage; economic and cultural influences; students family school and community context.
2. Developing and following transition guidelines that will result in a successful transition of the student into the kindergarten program.
3. Assisting in the development of a standards-based Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for those students who qualify for such services once the student is placed in the kindergarten program and provides appropriate consultation and/or follow up to ensure successful transition.
4. Researching coordinating and effectively utilizing available school and community resources and outside agencies to ensure proper delivery of students IEP (e.g.: SLP Social Worker OT/PT internal and external professionals and agencies).
5. Planning developing and monitoring and/or delivering extended school year programs for identified students age birth to 5.
6. Selecting designing/modifying classroom services (including learning activities instructional groupings lesson plans educational materials curricula assessments teaching strategies and the like) for assigned students designed to promote the academic physical and social development needs of students adhering to accommodations as appropriate.
7. Coordinating and implementing regularly scheduled community-based screenings that will properly identify children who may need a more comprehensive assessment.
8. Administering and/or coordinating a thorough assessment of identified students which may include language behavior visual motor gross and fine motor and cognitive skills using a variety of techniques including standardized tests rubrics checklists curriculum based measures developmental scales observations behavior objectives and the like.
9. Conferring with parents school counselors classroom teachers social workers administrators testing specialists and other professionals as needed to determine proper assessment tools and procedures and to discuss evaluation results.
10. Interpreting both educational and clinical findings and referrals to accurately determine program eligibility and to assess student progress.

1. Creates and maintains a learning environment of respect and rapport by:

1. Effectively serving all children on a general caseload and assisting with the integration of assigned students into regular classroom settings using the concepts of normalization and least restrictive environment.
2. Coordinating services and assuring productive effective and efficient use of assigned para-educators through ongoing training scheduling communication observation and feedback.
3. Determining appropriate affective and social behavior identifying childrens competencies in their daily living skills and developing and implementing effective student behavior support plans.
4. Identifying and implementing appropriate assistive technology devices and other adaptive or augmentative systems that will enhance student communication and accessibility to learning.
5. Providing a safe learning environment for all students. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students equipment materials and facilities. Recognizes and properly communicates building/maintenance needs to the Facilities Department to help assure a safe and healthy learning environment for students.

1. Effectively provides academic instruction social skills training and other direct services indicated on IEPs of assigned students to develop the readiness skills necessary for success in future school placements.

1. Implements appropriate classroom activities/educational materials to effectively engage students in learning and to maximize student comprehension of the lesson; including implementation of instructional groupings schedule of activities behavioral management techniques peer support and the like.
2. Provides effective timely and quality feedback on student progress to parents students and other professionals as needed or required.
3. Accurately assesses the effectiveness of classroom services (including learning activities instructional groupings lesson plans educational materials curricula assessments teaching strategies and the like to make sure instructional goals of assigned students are being met; and persistently seeks thoughtful alternative approaches and resources to improve student learning.

1. Performs other professional responsibilities including:

1. Makes regular home visits as identified by the students plan and provides services and coordination to students who attend other preschools/Daycares within the District.
2. Assists the Director of Student Support Services in planning and evaluating program effectiveness and identifying program needs.
3. Prepares and maintains accurate complete timely effective and confidential student records and related reports as required by law district policy and administrative regulations.
4. Communicates/collaborates effectively with parents to keep families informed of the instructional programs and individual student progress; and effectively engages families to encourage involvement by providing strategies and materials that will support parents as teachers in the home setting. Means of communication may include annual open house observation sessions for parents conferences sessions for program discussion making home visits and other individual meetings as necessary.
5. Works effectively cooperatively and respectfully with supervisors colleagues subordinates and outside agencies. Implements strategies such as collaborative teaming conflict resolution and mediation strategies to facilitate team decisions around student programs.
6. Actively participates in school events workshops in-service meetings building-level staff meetings district meetings and other school and district committees/projects.
7. Responsible for on-going professional growth activities as outlined in ones own professional development plan consistent with district goals and as directed by the supervisor.
8. Assists in budget development by completion of the Service Plan for current student caseload.
9. Keeps abreast of current best practices research special education laws and other age 3 to 5 developmentally appropriate practices.
10. Acts as a general resource person for assigned para-educators and administration; and participates as a leader in teacher training activities (both school-wide and district-wide).
11. Shows professionalism and considers Whats best for students in serving and advocating for students and in decision making.
12. Follows and assists in upholding and enforcing school rules administrative regulations and procedures policies of the district and corresponding school procedures.

Education and Experience: Masters degree or equivalent in Special Education or other appropriate discipline plus 3 to 4 years of relevant experience preferred (or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired). Working knowledge of Vermont Special Education Law and/or recent experience working in a Vermont school district preferred.

Certifications and Licenses: Valid Vermont Professional Educators License with a 0-80 Endorsement (Level II preferred) plus meets all the basic competencies and qualifications of the endorsement as listed in the Regulations Governing the Licensing of Educators and the Preparation of Educational Professionals. Valid Vermont State drivers license and reliable transportation required.

Other Skills and Abilities: Good basic computer skills and experience with word processing programs required. Experience with Microsoft Office preferred. Knowledge and experience of a variety of adaptive equipment and software. Ability to effectively efficiently and regularly communicate and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals including students peers subordinates supervisors parents and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and handle stress.

Why Join SBSD

*Supportive colleagues and leadership

*Strong commitment to diversity equity and inclusion

*Professional growth and advancement

*Comprehensive benefits

*Meaningful work that impacts students daily

Required Experience:

IC