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Special Education Teacher Eligibility Application 2024-25
This is a PFT union represented position. The salary currently ranges from $52,516 to $94,688, depending on the level of education and years of experience. The salary you receive in your offer letter will be a quote. In order to receive the salary quoted, your educational institution(s) and previous employer(s) must verify your credentials and experience. This is non-negotiable. You can start verifying your credentials and/or experience at any step of the hiring process. Click here to review the prior experience policy, and click here to download the prior experience form.
Job Summary
This is special education work developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs for exceptional students with varying needs. Employees in this class teach students using curriculum, and instructional methods and techniques. Work involves the use of effective classroom strategies to promote learning. Serves as member of a multi-disciplinary team for planning a comprehensive educational program for students, which includes remedial and affective education, and related instructional strategies. Work additionally involves training and overseeing the activities of classroom assistants in the instructional process.
Essential Functions
- Plans classroom lessons and activities in accordance with the skill level of students; develops and uses techniques and materials to enhance the students’ academic abilities and to remediate specific learning handicaps; ensures that the classroom is arranged to promote learning; implements effective educational interventions as needed;
- Develops an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student; ensures that plans are complete and current and that each includes strategies for specialized instruction; sets individualized goals and objectives for students;
- Serves on a multidisciplinary team with other professionals which may include the school psychologist, school counselor, instructional advisor, physical and occupational therapists, and other supportive personnel; collaborates through a transdisciplinary approach with team members, in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive training program for students; exchanges information about educational activities and discusses therapeutic techniques to be integrated into the ongoing instructional process; reviews and evaluates students’ progress to assess program effectiveness;
- Conducts parent conferences; informs families of student progress and behavior; encourages family participation in school activities; disseminate information regarding the various support services available in the school;
- Keeps abreast of the latest developments and improvements in special education as it affects the instructional program;
- Maintains classroom discipline, attendance, grades, and other required records.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:
- The current principles, practices, and methods of special, elementary, and secondary education;
- The theories and principles of child and/or adolescent growth and development with emphasis varying depending on the specific needs:
- Autistic Support - emphasis on physical and mental handicaps; the special techniques, practices and methods of teaching autistic children; the etiology, psychological theories, and research related to autism; the materials, equipment and devices available to instruct autistic children;
- Emotional Support - emphasis on social emotional development; the principles of applied behavior analysis; the special principles, practices, and materials used in the instruction of seriously disturbed children; the curriculum and instructional techniques for instructing students with serious behavior management problems;
- Learning Support - special principles, practices and materials used in the instruction of exceptional students with specific learning handicaps; curriculum and instructional techniques for instructing students with learning handicaps;
- Physical Support - emphasis on the effect of physical disabilities on the psychological development of the individual; specialized techniques used in the instruction of exceptional students with physical disabilities and/or multiple disabilities that include cognitive impairment; current etiology, theories, and research regarding physical and/or multiple disabilities that include cognitive impairment.
Demonstrated ability to:
- Assess students’ needs and learning styles to design appropriate differentiated instruction to meet their needs;
- Plan, prepare, and implement lessons and activities in accordance with the skill level of the students;
- Develop materials for use in instructional programs;
- Use and apply audio-visual methods and materials to classroom situations;
- Maintain records;
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with pupils, parents, administrators, associates, and community agencies.
Certificates/Licenses
- Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate in Special Education endorsed for Cognitive, Behavior, Physical and/or Health Disabilities OR to teach the Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped OR;
- Ability to be eligible for an emergency permit and to complete the educational obligation attached to it
For Physical Support –
- Possession of current certificate documenting the completion of an approved training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation within six (6) months of appointment and during tenure of employment.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District’s commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.