Position Description:

Position Purpose: Plans for, teaches and facilitates learning for students. Creates a positive learning environment. Provides interventions and accommodations to support the students’ participation and progress in the general curriculum. Maintains progress, records, and discipline. Works collaboratively with students, parents, building staff, and other Individual Education Program team members to provide and implement IEP services to meet the needs of individual students.



Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid NE Teaching Certificate with endorsement in Special Education with emphasis in Special Education Generalist preferred.
Ability to develop positive relationships to promote mutual dignity and respect among students and staff.
Ability to work collaboratively to identify needs of students and implement strategies on a consistent basis.
Ability and patience to work interactively with students
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.
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

Provides accommodations that can be implemented during services and collaborate with the general education teachers to ensure they are in place while the student is in the general education setting.
Completes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) as needed based on individual student needs.
Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students.
Continuous assessment and evaluation of progress toward Individual Education Program (IEP) goals.
Develops students’ cognitive, emotional and social capacities for learning.
Positively fosters students’ self-esteem.
Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
Plans for and guides the learning process to help students achieve their program objectives.
Implements useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures.
Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction, and student learning.
Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
Selects and uses effective instructional methods, district approved intervention programs, and learning materials.
Establishes a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
Maintains open lines of communications with parents, guardians and staff.
Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
Maintain compliance on all special education procedures, timelines, and documents such as Individual Education Program (IEP), progress reporting, parent notification, consents, evaluation process, etc.
Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and lesson planning and student progress toward IEP goals as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
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.
Evidence of the willingness and the ability to comply with the standards with ethical and professional performance established by district policy as well as the State Board of Education.
Works collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the program and support the District’s vision, aims and goals.