To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

Teacher – Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Department: Special Education             

Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA)

Salary: Determined by the collective bargaining agreement and a comprehensive benefits package

JOB SUMMARY

The Early Childhood Special Education Teacher is responsible for ensuring kindergarten readiness for students by working as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum, are rich with engaging activities and support to meet ALL preschooler’s academic and social emotional learning needs.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with building staff to ensure that Early Childhood programs and services are integrated in the assigned building (inclusion focused).
• Create an environment that assures learning using Positive Behavioral Supports.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Early Childhood staff to ensure that Early Childhood instructional model is carried out uniformly throughout classroom.
• Recognize unique developmental needs and differences of students of preschool age.
• Ability to develop, collect and analyze instructional data for the purpose of advancing student learning.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely records in accordance with Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), Child Licensing and Great Start Readiness Program Implementation, and Grand Rapids Public Schools

• Demonstrate leadership skills by partnering with assigned paraprofessional creating an instructional team to achieve classroom curriculum development and delivery while supporting every child’s academic and social emotional growth.

• Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and Early Childhood MTSS team as needed.
• Provide educational opportunities monthly for parents of Early Childhood students to engage in with their child.
• Accept and accomplish other duties as assigned from the Special Education Department and/or the Early Childhood Department

• Display physical, social, mental, and emotional soundness to execute the duties of job.
• Serve as a role model for staff and students and within school community.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, students, parents, and the community in positive, supportive, and cooperative ways.
• Encourage team spirit and contribute as a team member in the decision-making processes of the school as facilitated by administration.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.

• Contribute to extra-curricular activities such as clubs and academic competitions and school programs as appropriate. 

• Always maintain and promote school district goals and objectives.
• Comply with state, federal and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and the contract.
• Regular and on-time attendance is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Parent and community engagement

• Make and maintain regular, positive contact with parents.
• Establish and maintain effective written and oral communication and rapport with students, parents, colleagues, and leadership.
• Participate in parent meetings, including IEPs and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
• Contribute to the development of a positive attitude between the school and the wider community through cooperative relations, publications, community functions, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• An endorsement in both early childhood and special education.
• An endorsement with a designation of ZS (early childhood general and special education).
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A major or minor in early childhood growth education or child growth and development and a special education endorsement with a full approval from the department of education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate ability to build relationships with students, parents, staff and community in a professional, contractual, and courteous manner.
• Experience working with children and teaching them in developmentally appropriate ways aligned with NAEYC and Michigan Early Childhood Standards of High Quality
• Demonstrate good attendance, punctuality, and excellent communication/ organization skills.
• Demonstrate respect for confidentiality requirements of information.

• Demonstrated understanding of current research as to how children learn and the ability to motivate student to perform at their best.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction, by using a variety of styles, and inspire mixed culture and ability classes by creating challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all students.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

• Obtain a physical that ensures ability to perform duties of an Early Childhood/Preschool teacher (licensing requirement).
• Can work on the floor with students and move quickly should the need arise for safety reasons.

• Accompany children outdoors daily in a variety of seasonal weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.