POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Supervisor of Special Education, the Inclusion Specialist is responsible for identifying and assessing the instructional needs, learning styles, and appropriate techniques for use with students assigned to inclusion classrooms.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Assisting classroom teachers and related services personnel in designing and implementing an individual educational plan for each student in co-taught classroom;
Assisting school teams in identifying appropriate supplementary aids and services for students;
Facilitating the use of assessment data to make data-driven instructional decisions;
Coordinating communication within the building with families, school administrators, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team and with outside agencies, and/or personnel from other programs;
Facilitating inclusive opportunities;
Conducting classroom observations to monitor co-teaching as a service delivery model to achieve effective inclusion;
Providing in-service opportunities for special education and general education staff members relative to inclusive practices;
Providing demonstration lessons for co-teaching teams;
Facilitating ongoing parental involvement and participation in the school program;
Assisting school administration in interviewing prospective teachers and paraprofessionals and scheduling of staff and students for inclusion classrooms;
Acting as full member of the IEP Team;
Serving as an adjunct to the school improvement team in supporting inclusion in school buildings;
Assisting school teams with implementing systematic change in grouping, scheduling, and technology to support inclusion; and
Serving as department's liaison with contracted inclusion consultants as well as with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Demonstrated skills in the development and implementation of effective professional development programs at both the school and systemic level;
Experience using Blackboard and developing and accessing on-line courses;
Demonstrated experience in the development and management of grants;
Knowledge of general education and special education instructional and diagnostic techniques, management skills and strategies for modifying curriculum for students with disabilities in general education classrooms;
Knowledge of and experience in the use and implementation of standards for professional development and MSDE's High Quality Professional Development Indicators;
Effective program planning and organizational skills;
Thorough knowledge of current educational principles, best practices and procedures in special education and general education, staff training instruction, and assessing program needs in the assigned instructional special areas;
Thorough knowledge of Prince George's County Public Schools organization and administration and administration of program of studies, policies, testing practices and federal and state laws related to instructional responsibility;
Knowledge of state and local standards, MSA and ALT-MSA assessments, national standards, curriculum development, and student program accountability;
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Power-Point, Word, Outlook, etc.) and skilled using internet for work related research;
Excellent written and oral communications skills; and
Strong human relations skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education, General Education, or related field; a minimum of five (5) years successful teaching experience and at least three (3) years supervisory or specialist experience, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform effectively in this position.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Holds or is eligible for an Advanced Professional Certificate (APC). Admin I required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.