Classroom Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This is a direct care, salaried position that supervises and coordinates activities for students with developmental disabilities in OTC, a special purpose private school. These activities are designed to train individuals in Activities for Daily Living, sensory, physical fitness, academic subjects, social development and independence skills in school, homes and communities based on the goals established in individualized plans. Responsibilities will also include establishing and implementing a complete educational program for all students assigned to their classroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To evaluate all students to find the current level of functioning in all areas that is worked on in the classroom. This evaluation would include administration of the curriculum guidelines three times a year. 

To establish appropriate educational goals for each student in the classroom as part of the Individual Education Plan. 

To establish written daily and weekly lesson plans for your classroom at least 5 days in advance. There plans will be left in the classroom for use by teaching staff and substitutes in the event of absenteeism. 

To track and monitor absences of the students for truancy reporting.

To provide daily educational experiences for each student in the classroom. 

To attend team meetings of all students assigned to the classroom and assist in the writing of the Individual Educational Plan for the student. 

To provide written progress reports at least three times a year to the student’s parents and/or guardians, sending school district, social worker (when applicable), and to the main student file. 

To keep the classroom neat, organized, decorated, and well stocked with current, appropriate educational materials. 

To be responsible for all your students’ safe arrival off the buses in the morning and safe departure onto the buses in the afternoon. 

To be responsible for periodic late bus duty as needed. 

To be responsible for supervision of your students during lunch each day. 

To communicate as needed with parents, and report any pertinent information that becomes up during a routine day. 

To cooperate with all teaching and supportive staff in creating a good learning atmosphere for the students. 

To assist in planning, working, and cleaning up for special activities such as dances, parties, Special Olympics, graduation, etc. 

To assist in researching, planning, and organizing when new programs are implemented for the whole school, such as revision of the curriculum guidelines, family life education, etc. 

Protect the health, safety and wellbeing of the students, including but not limited to administering a physical restraint to protect the student and others from harm. 

Provide supervision to the Educational Technicians and therapists.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. May assist with planning classroom curriculum and materials acquisition.
2. Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Be committed to the mission of Central Aroostook Association.
2. Adhere to applicable State and Central Aroostook Association policies and regulations.  
3. Work as a member of the Behavioral Health team in the performance of duties.
4. Work in harmonious relationships with all co-workers, management, clients and visitors.
5. Be an active and productive member of the community. As social roles can be life defining, it is imperative that the Association ensure that the social image of individuals be enhanced and that opportunities are created for people to be active and productive community members.  
6. Maintain confidentiality by keeping information concerning clients, employees and the Association itself confidential.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to walk and stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, taste or smell, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 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. The employee will also need the strength and balance required to perform the activities associated with range of motion activities that are required as part of some individuals’ programs.  

These physical demands will vary depending on the program area.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this 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 will work in a classroom and a variety of community settings. Exposure to clients who may exhibit verbal and physically aggressive behavior. Risk to exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Noise level can be moderate to loud.  

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR POSITION:

Experience and Skill Requirements: The following experience and skills are considered essential:

• At least one year of experience working with students with developmental disabilities who have varying abilities and behaviors is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to manage emotional or physical emergencies that can arise.
• Ability to work on a team, sharing responsibilities with co-workers, accepting direction from supervisors, and contributing ideas.
• Ability to safely accompany individuals into the community.
• Ability and willingness to assist individuals with all aspects of toileting and hygiene skills.
• Ability to pass all required trainings, as specified by the program.

Education Requirements: The following education requirements are considered essential:

• Bachelor’s degree with the ability to obtain a valid teacher certification with a 282 endorsement from the Maine State Department of Education
• CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
• 282 Certification through the Maine State Department of Education
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) - certified  
• Finger printed for certification with the Department of Education-within three months
• Safety Care - within six months 
• CPR/First Aid - within six months  
• Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA) - if required
• Applied Behavior Analysis Training within three months