Job ID: 5512992 Current year opening for Special Education Strategist I Teacher for Johnston Excel Program (grades 9-12) Location: 6510 NW 62nd Ave - Johnston Daily hours: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Full benefits: + Medical, dental, vision, life & LTD + Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) + Flex spending accounts + Employee assistance program + Paid leave and holidays + Tuition reimbursement QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE + Valid Iowa teaching license with 5-12 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate endorsement required + Previous special education teaching experience preferred + Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff + Project a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community + Promotes a positive image of the Johnston Schools + Respects differing points of view + Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups + Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations + Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day + Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES PERSONAL PERFORMANCE CRITERIA + Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students + Contributes to creating a positive work environment + Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality + Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day + Takes advantage of professional growth opportunities related to his/her specific job + Works independently and with confidence + Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations + Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE CRITERIA INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS + Teaching to local curriculum standards + Curriculum is presented from whole to part with an emphasis on what students should know and be able to do + Communicates learning goals to students and parents + Incorporates, on a regular basis, activities for students which require applications of learning + Creates a classroom environment that promotes learning + Establishes fair and appropriate classroom rules + Corrects inappropriate behavior in an appropriate and timely manner + Reinforces positive behaviors + Consistent in expectations concerning student behaviors + Establishes and maintains rapport with students + Demonstrates appropriate instructional preparation + Uses knowledge of students to design educational experiences + Has materials prepared prior to the beginning of class + Lessons align with the district standards and assessments + Designs lessons that are appropriate to age level and student interest + Lesson design is logical and provides for a clearly understood flow of learning + Designs educational experiences that utilize district provided technologies + Uses effective instructional techniques + Uses instructional time effectively + Both group and individual instruction are used on a regular basis with limited use of large group lecture + Employs a variety of instructional techniques and strategies including multi-sensory approaches, appropriate questioning and modelling, role playing, self-teaching and activity-based learning + Utilizes a variety of instructional resources outside of the textbook + Classroom technology is an integrated part of the teaching and learning process + Modifies lesson plans and instructional techniques as required by student learning needs + Instructional techniques provide all students the opportunity to learn + Instruction is free of cultural, religious, ethnic or gender bias + Responds in a positive and constructive manner to student questions + Provides students with opportunities for success + Models and promotes honesty, respect for people and property, responsibility for personal and group actions, personal integrity and the value of hard work + Uses effective assessment strategies + Assessments directly relate to core curricular concepts and are in integral part of teaching and learning + Assessment of student progress includes both traditional and alternative assessment measures + Assessment is interwoven with learning and occurs on an ongoing basis. Assessment is not solely an end product PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES + Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth + Keeps current with appropriate teaching content and instructional techniques and strategies (e.g., participation in professional organizations, workshops and conferences, including the development of technology skills) + Applies knowledge gained through professional growth to the classroom + Contributes and participates in a positive manner to building and district professional growth opportunities + Works collegially to select and implement building and district goals + Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation + Participates, when appropriate, in curriculum development and building/district assignments + Meets responsibilities beyond the school day related to school functions + Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities + Assumes leadership roles (committee participation, department chairs, curriculum review, etc.) Terms of Employment: 194-day contract