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JOB TITLE:  Early Childhood Special Educator

REPORTS TO:  Director of Special Education

DATE:       July 30, 2021  

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POSITION SUMMARY: The early childhood special education teacher will assess and provide intervention to ensure student success and promote an exemplary education program fostering achievement for all students. Develops and promotes good relations among the school community: parents, staff, administration and other community members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess and provide intervention services to students (3 to 5 years of age) who exhibit special needs, and monitor progress toward Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.
• Assess and provide input on the development of IFSP for children referred by Part C agencies.
• Use approved diagnostic assessments for Early Childhood Special Education as recommended by Colorado Department of Education.
• Use knowledge of Early Childhood Outcomes, content area, teaching methods, learning styles and educational research related to special education students of all levels and abilities.
• Positively impact achievement and differentiate instruction based on the needs of the students by supporting programs designed to increase student achievement.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills through collaborative work with students, teachers, staff, parents and administrators.
• Willing to support and actively participate in a professional learning community.
• Provide small group and individual services to all levels of student ability (service students’ eligible with developmental delay in the following areas; cognitive, social and emotional, adaptive, autism.
• Work cooperatively with the ECE team (classroom teachers, teaching assistants and other special education staff) to provide intervention and consultation regarding the needs of students.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in professional conferences, in-service sessions, etc. to keep abreast of current practices.
• Operate the programs in accordance with Federal and State Department guidelines and SCBOCES Board of Directors regulations and policies.
• Attend meetings as required.
• All other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS: South Central BOCES complies with the rules and regulations set forth by the Colorado Department of Education in terms of hiring candidates who are currently licensed or endorsed in the appropriate content area(s).

•           Hold a valid Colorado Early Childhood Special Education License or is currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Special Education Program and is eligible for a Temporary Teaching Endorsement as defined by the Colorado Department of Education, if currently available.

•           Proficiency in using technology.

•           Experience in early childhood (birth through five years) preferred.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

• Knowledge of child development, approaches to learning, individual needs and differences, identifying special needs and fostering positive outcomes and healthy relationships.
• Knowledge of federal and state initiatives that promote high quality early childhood, support individualized needs, and promote positive outcome for young children and their families.
• Use knowledge and model effective classroom management, communication, organization and planning skills in order function in a consultative manner to the general education classroom teachers.
• Able to utilize observation and assessment skills including the gathering of data, summarizing, interpreting, sharing and reporting findings. Clear and effective written and oral language skills.
• Demonstrates ability to foster partnerships that values families, respect diversity, uses effective communication, builds reciprocal relations with families and creates resources that support children and their families.
• Able to establish positive interactions and relationships with individual children. Utilizes effective guidance and discipline strategies to promote positive behavior in young children.
• Understands the roles of teachers and other support staff in positive outcomes for young children. A willingness to collaborate with other team member to problem solve and identify more individualized services as needed.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and quality indicators for the facilities that serve children and their families.
• Demonstrates an ethical and professional demeanor. Utilizes reflective practices for continuous improvement both personally and professionally. Maintains confidentiality.
• Able to plan and organize use of time, materials and resources effectively.
• Able to structure and provide research based curriculum that promotes positive outcomes in the following developmental domains; Physical, Language and Literacy, Cognitive, Social – Emotional, and Creativity.
• Understands the role of effective transitions, able to collaborate and communicate with all parties affected by them. Able to promote smooth transitions for children and their families into next learning environment.

In accordance with Title VI-Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX-Education Amendment of 1972, Section 504-Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, South Central BOCES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap.