NOTICE OF VACANCY

October 18, 2024

POSITION:  SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER 

LOCATION:  ST. LEONARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under direction of the school principal, and the supervisor of special education, plans and provides specially designed instruction, supports, and services for students with disabilities.   Develops appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to meet academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs of students.  Individually and collaboratively plans appropriate instruction, learning experiences and specially designed instruction for students which may occur in various settings in the school environment which may include general education, self-contained special education, and regional programs.  Provides a positive atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of individuals to ensure student success. Supervises students in a variety of school-related settings. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes. Communicates and interacts with students, parents, staff, and community. Designs, selects, adapts and modifies instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of individual students. Maintains appropriate records and follows required regulations, procedures and practices. Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities.

REPORTS TO:  School Principal, Supervisor of Special Education

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

At the time of application, the candidate must hold or be eligible for:

1. A Maryland Professional Eligibility Certificate, Standard Professional Certificate or Advanced Professional Certificate in the appropriate field of education; or
2. A Maryland Conditional Degree Certificate as outlined in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR)

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS: (These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions.) At the time of application, the candidate must have:

1. Demonstrated ability in written and oral communication.
2. Understanding of and ability to maintain rapport with persons from diverse, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups.
3. Working knowledge of current classroom technology.
4. Knowledge of disabilities and evidence-based practices and strategies for working with students with disabilities.
5. Knowledge of and ability to administer and/or interpret educational assessment instruments/results.
6. Knowledge of special education regulations and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
7. Ability to write appropriate IEPs and design and deliver specially designed instruction.
8. Knowledge of the general education curriculum and the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards.
9. Demonstrated interpersonal skills when working with diverse groups (parents, other professionals, students, teachers, administrators, community agency representatives.)
10. Ability to interpret data to adjust instruction, write appropriate goals and objectives and/or communicate appropriate progress.
11. Demonstrated success in accomplishing tasks akin to the responsibilities listed below.
12. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Calvert County Public Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES:

1. Plans and provides specially designed instruction, supports, and services for students with disabilities.
2. Develops appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to meet academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs of students.
3. Creates a classroom environment that makes space for student voice, student agency, and is intellectually and socially safe for learning. 
4. Develops classrooms routines and rituals to support a culture of learning and utilizes a balance of proactive evidenced based strategies to manage conflict and redirect negative behavior. 
5. Maintains order and discipline in the classroom conducive to effective learning and takes all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
6. Plan and prepare, collaboratively or individually, lessons aligned with Calvert County curricula that outline clear learning goals, assignments, and instructional materials.
7. Incorporate research-based strategies, evidence-based practices, and instructional technology within the learning process.
8. Develops, selects, adapts and modifies instructional plans and materials aligned to Calvert County curricula that meets the needs of every student regardless of their background, ability, or social-economic status. 
9. Completes paperwork related to the IEP process in an accurate and a timely manner.
10. Monitors and evaluates student progress and outcomes using feedback and appropriate formative and summative assessment techniques as well as IEP data.
11. Prepares, administers, and corrects evaluations and assessments, and records results and writes educational assessment reports as required for the IEP process.
12. Improves skill and knowledge base in current trends, research and methodology in instructional techniques, technology, cultural responsiveness, problem solving and interdisciplinary connections. 
13. Plans purposeful assignments for instructional assistants and volunteers.
14. Plans for specially designed instruction and IEP implementation for instructional assistants and collaboratively with general education teachers to meet academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs of students.
15. Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities.
16. Maintains appropriate records and follows required procedures and practices.
17. Communicates and interacts with students, parents, staff and community.
18. Serves as an IEP team member and an IEP case manager for designated students with disabilities.
19. Confers with parents and students regarding academic, social-emotional, and behavioral progress of assigned students; arranges and participates in teacher-parent or teacher-student conferences as necessary.
20. Attends and actively participates in staff/faculty meetings, professional learning sessions and required trainings.
21. Supervises students in a variety of school-related settings.
22. Serves on special committees.
23. Attends special events such as open house and registration nights.
24. Thinks, concentrates, and interacts positively with others.
25. Works flexible hours as necessary.
26. Works under stress and meets all deadlines.
27. Maintains regular, on-time attendance. 

OTHER JOB DUTIES: (Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.)  Performs related work as required or assigned by the principal, designee, or supervisor of special education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Position requires significant periods of standing and walking and is performed in a typical school environment. Work may require physical as well as psychological confrontations with aggressive students.  Special Education teachers assigned to programs serving students with physical disabilities may be required to lift or assist with lifting students at various times during the instructional day.  Special Education teachers assigned to programs serving students with aggressive behaviors will be required to maintain non-violent crisis intervention certification and may be required to use non-violent crisis intervention.

UNUSUAL DEMANDS:   May be subject to a flexible work schedule.

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Ten (10) month position and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience applied to the current Calvert County Public Schools salary schedule for teachers.  All employees are encouraged to have automatic payroll deposit.

EVALUATION:  Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the policy on evaluation as established by the Calvert County Public Schools.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF POSITION:  2024-2025 school year 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  Position will remain open until filled.  Applicants please apply through the Applicant Tracking system located on the Calvert County Public Schools’ website –

www.calvertnet.k12.md.us

References must be directly related to educational experience and must include immediate supervisor.

State law requires that anyone hired after October 1, 1986, who will have contact with school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation. Federal law requires that a new employee must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) in person before beginning employment. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a drug screen. Current employees of the Calvert County Public Schools are exempt from these requirements.

House Bill 486 – Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Statement

Pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland - House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention all applicants are required to report all former employers in which you may have had direct contact with minors. The applicant must submit the contact information of the current employer, all former school employers, and all former employers not school related. Applicants should also include contact information for organizations in which you have volunteered, coached, mentor, tutored or otherwise had direct contact with minors.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources
  443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement

Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment.

Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to:

Ms. Cecelia Lewis

Director of Student Services

Calvert County Public Schools

1305 Dares Beach Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to:

Mr. Zachary Seawell

Director of Human Resources

Calvert County Public Schools

1305 Dares Beach Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.