Special Education MDS-B (grades 4-5)

Position Type: Elementary School Teaching/Elementary School Special Education Self-ContainedDate Posted: 4/10/2026Location: Zephyr Elementary SchoolDate Available: 08/18/2026Closing Date: 04/19/2026Special education teachers participate as members of the instructional staff responsible for planning and delivering specially designed instruction to students with disabilities. Special education teachers support students in accessing the general education curriculum and work toward achieving the general and specific goals outlined in each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).Special education teachers report to the building principal and/or designated special education administrator. Instructional programming is developed and implemented through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including general education teachers, related service providers, administrators, parents/guardians, and when appropriate, students. Special education teachers work collaboratively with specialists and other instructional staff to support student success.Qualifications:Certification: Pennsylvania special education certification PK-12Functions/Duties/Responsibilities:Planning for TeachingThe special education teacher has the responsibility to:Plan long and short-range instructional objectives for each student and write, implement, and maintain compliant Individual Educational Programs (IEP). Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team, parents/guardians, and students (where appropriate) to develop and revise IEP's.Communicate with parents/guardians regarding IEP development, progress toward goals, and student performance.Select and utilize a variety of instructional strategies, materials, and learning experiences appropriate to student needs, abilities, and developmental levels.Collect, analyze, and use student data to inform instructional planning and decision-making.Work cooperatively with general education teachers to support students with disabilities in inclusive and specialized instructional settings.Motivating Students:The special education teacher has the responsibility to:Present learning experiences in a manner which motivates learning.Establish standards for individual students in terms of each student's ability and need.Use appropriate activities to develop each student's IEP.Developing and Managing Classroom ClimateThe special education teacher has the responsibility to:Create an atmosphere conducive to the individual, social and emotional development of the students.Control the behavior and activities of the students in order that these goals can be obtained.Interacting with StudentsThe special education teacher has the responsibility to help students achieve the learning objectives by interacting with the student in generalizations and concept formation.Evaluating StudentsThe special education teacher has the responsibility to:Determine the nature and extent of direction needed to attain goals.Evaluate performance according to the objectives and tasks established in the IEP.ClericalThe special education teacher has the responsibility to:Perform those clerical duties assigned by the building principal, which are necessary to operate an instructional program in the school.Determine the grades of students and report these to the parents through the reporting system adopted by the district.Report the attendance of students as directed by the administration.MiscellaneousThe special education teacher has the responsibility to:Serve in various monitoring capacities, attend evening programs, faculty meetings, in-service programs, and serve on district and building committees as established by the Teachers Association Agreement and district policy.Participate in appropriate professional organizations and continue professional growth by attending conferences, workshops, reading, or by attending graduate school.h. Legal and Regulatory compliance The special education teacher has the responsibility to: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of and comply with all applicable federal and state special education laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Pennsylvania Chapter 14 regulations. 2. Implement IEP's in accordance with legal requirements, district procedures, and timelines. 3. Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant special education documentation. 4. Participate in required training related to special education compliance and procedural safeguards.Special AssignmentsWithin his/her own area of expertise, the teacher may be assigned tasks by the building principal or Director of Pupil Services.Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee may regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to hear (40 decibel maximum) and verbally communicate.Work Environment:The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud, depending on the activity in the particular part of the day.The information contained in this position description is in compliance with state and federal law (ADA, EEOC).Terms of Employment:Salary, work year, and other terms and conditions of employment as established by contract between Whitehall-Coplay School District, Superintendent, and the Whitehall-Coplay School District Board of Directors.Physical Requirements which are requisite to complete the functions/duties/responsibilities listed above Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, communicate (vision, hearing, and speech), carry, or convey sufficient weight to safely and effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities. Ability to independently ambulate in and around school buildings and office areas. Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support. This job description may be updated and/or altered at the sole discretion of the employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary function/ duty/responsibility at acceptable standards as set by the employer. In accordance with both state and/or federal law, reasonable accommodations will be considered upon employee request.

Created: 2026-04-21