High School Special Education Teacher- $3,000 Hiring Incentive

The Foundation Schools is a special education day school which delivers innovative school programs and support services for children and adolescents with emotional disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and other learning challenges. For over 40 years, The Foundation Schools’ mix of academic support and therapeutic services has given our students a chance to reach their full potential. The Foundation Schools is currently approved by the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia to provide services to students who have not been successful in their home school’s environment. The Foundation Schools has schools in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Landover and Largo, Maryland that serve over 200 students in grades K-12.

Our Core Values’ provide a strong foundation for our programs, are integrated into our positive behavior intervention system, drive our actions and guide our staff and students daily to TWIRL (Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership).  We offer a supportive working environment with small class sizes and excellent resources. 

The Foundation Schools offers a comprehensive benefit package including tuition assistance and a generous retirement package. Visit our website at www.foundationschools.org for more information.

Education, Experience and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher is required, preferably in education, special education or related field, Master’s degree preferred
• MSDE certification or eligibility for MSDE certification required in special education, and appropriate grade band; Art and Physical Education teachers require MSDE certification or eligibility for MSDE certification in content area
• Two or more years of experience in a special education setting or experience working with emotionally disabled students or children with autism is preferred
• Knowledge of IDEA and its specific applications to educating students with special education needs and emotional and other disabilities preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus

JOB SUMMARY

Teachers at The Foundation Schools employ special education strategies and techniques to provide quality instruction that results in the students’ mastery of approved curriculum and that promotes social, emotional and cognitive learning. Teachers are the primary instructors in a self-contained setting and must be able to understand and carry out their students’ IEP requirements. Teachers provide differentiated instruction and are able to modify the curriculum to meet the needs of the students’ IEPs. Teachers effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Employ special education strategies and techniques to provide quality instruction that results in the students’ advancement of their academic progress on the approved curriculum and that promotes social and emotional growth

Demonstrate knowledge of academic subjects and the ability to effectively teach content area while using the approved curriculum

Communicate in a professional manner with parents/guardians about students’ academic and behavior progress prior to interims, end of reporting periods or as needed

Create and implement lesson plans that utilize a variety of teaching methods, including the use of technology, direct instruction, independent study and group learning, in order to engage students and actively encourage student participation; submit lesson plans within set guidelines

Demonstrate the ability to adapt classroom environment, activities, teaching styles, behavior management practices and lesson plans to meet the needs of students with varying academic levels and learning styles

Establish expectations for learning and set classroom structure to encourage student participation and appropriate behavior

Use formal and informal observation and assessment tools to determine students’ needs, and adjust interventions and practices to accommodate those needs; evaluate instructional effectiveness, document, and make modifications based on data, reflection, and feedback

Provide a safe, structured, creative, and engaging classroom that is conducive to learning

Maintain an accurate classroom instructional inventory at all times

Demonstrate knowledge of special education laws and regulations including IDEA, FERPA, COMAR, and DCMR

Participate in the development and monitoring of students’ IEPs, BIPs, and FBAs including completion of required documentation within set guidelines

Grade students’ work, document students’ work in grade books, and complete grades within deadlines

Attend and actively participate in IEP meetings, reentry meetings, and other meetings with parents/guardians, students or county representatives; report accurately on student academic progress

Act as the lead in the classroom by providing guidance and direction to program assistants and dedicated aides assigned to their classroom

Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs

Effectively manage and document student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for students during the school day

Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions

Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times

Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures

Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently, and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies

Work with other teachers, therapists, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate

Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities

Consistently model and implement the company’s core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors

Comply with all of The Foundation Schools’ policies, rules, protocols, and procedures

Complete other duties as assigned