Special Education Teacher
Website Vision Preparatory Charter School
Where College Begins in Kindergarten
Vision Prep Mission:
“Vision Preparatory Charter School prepares kindergarten through fifth grade scholars with the academic and ethical foundation necessary to excel in middle school, thrive in high school and graduate from college.”
Vision Prep Vision: Recognizing and addressing the need for a college-preparatory elementary school in south Memphis, Vision Preparatory Charter School (Vision Prep) provides a rigorous, high-quality education to address the academic needs of an underserved and underperforming student population. Our staff is committed to modeling and upholding the highest academic and behavioral expectations for all students. To achieve our mission of laying a foundation for students culminating in college graduation, Vision Prep adheres to the following five key principles:
1. High quality teachers lead the way to exceptional student results.
Research tells us that the number one predictor of student achievement isn’t race. It isn’t socio-economic status. It’s teacher quality. (Wright, Horn, and Sanders). The best device we can utilize to help low-income and minority students succeed is the same one that is most effective in helping all students achieve, regardless of their backgrounds: quality teaching – beginning in kindergarten.
2. Extended time is critical.
Research has shown that by age 3 children in wealthy families have heard 30 million more words than children living in poverty. In an effort to close this gap at an early age, Vision Prep operates during an extended school day (7:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
3. A no-excuses school culture, imbedded with joy and rigor, stimulates academic achievement.
Vision Prep will continually strive for academic excellence and to provide a positive, no-excuses school culture. We will be constantly focused on academic performance and character development. Vision Prep will be academically demanding every minute of every school day and will achieve that through energy, excitement, and a joy for learning. We also believe in a team approach. The ‘entire school community’ is intertwined in the culture of the school: Vision Prep parents, teachers, school leaders, and board members. The school community must join together in assuming the collective and individual responsibility of modeling the same no-excuses philosophy expected of its scholars. All members of the Vision Prep learning community sign a “Contract of Mutual Responsibilities”, which is based on the school’s Common Core Values: FIRST (Focus, Integrity, Respect, Self- determination and Teamwork). We will uphold these values at every level.
4. Literacy and Mathematics are essential.
Successful scholars must master fundamental literacy and numeracy skills to be able to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate rigorous academic content. In preparation for more challenging academic work in upper elementary and middle school, Vision Prep will strive to ensure that all scholars are reading at or above grade level by third grade.
5. Assess, analyze, and intervene regularly.
To ensure every scholar remains on track to reach academic goals, there must be an intense focus on the continuous monitoring of academic progress. At Vision Prep data constantly drives decisions. Along with daily and weekly assessments, in-house grade level interim assessments in Reading and Mathematics are administered every nine weeks. While these internal assessments provide teachers with individual scholar data used to guide instruction throughout the year, Tennessee state mandated criterion-referenced tests are also administered at the end of each school year. Results from these tests are used as part of the academic planning process for the upcoming year.
Responsibilities of a Special Education Teacher:
– Assess scholars’ skills and determine their educational needs
– Set learning goals for each scholar, assess their progress, and record their evaluations.
– Adapt general lessons to meet scholars’ needs
– Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each scholar
– Plan, organize and assign activities that are specific to each scholar’s abilities
– Teach and mentor scholars as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
– Implement IEPs, assess scholars’ performance, and track their progress
– Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect scholars’ progress and goals
– Collaborate with other classroom teachers, teacher assistants, school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, speech/hearing specialists, and school social workers to provide an integrated plan for developing the capacities of their students. For example, they may show a teacher assistant how to work with a scholar who needs particular attention.
– Update parents on the progress of their scholars and enlist parental support with behavior control and home activities designed to supplement their classroom lessons.
– Discuss scholars’ progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators
– Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with scholars with disabilities
– Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and from school to life outside of school
Schedule:
Monday to Friday during school hours and professional development
License/Certification:
Special Education Certification (Required)
