Lead Teacher

Position Function:

The Lead Teacher for Special Education reports to the Director of the T.K. Martin Center. Responsible for teaching and caring for young children and interacting positively with staff, parents, and university students.

This is a full-time, 9-month position with benefits.

Salary Grade: 13

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The T.K. Martin Center provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations to remove limitations through the application of assistive technology, allowing individuals to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose. The comprehensive nature of the services offered ensures that the correct solutions are achieved efficiently and effectively, with needs being met in a one-stop shop.

The Center staff provide services and outreach for individuals with disabilities of all ages including assistive technology, art, early intervention, psychological, behavioral, and dyslexia services.

Area of Specialization:

Special Education

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 1, 2024

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop and provide all instructional lessons and make improvements to lesson plans and teaching methods as needed to generate new learning experiences for children qualifying for special education services ages 5 and older.
2. Oversee all TKMC meetings and attend all LEA (Local Educational Agency) meetings, including individualized education plan meetings. Lead teacher will have a strong working relationship with each LEA served in the classroom.
3. Propose new ways to train and prepare undergraduate and graduate students, interns, and directly supervise teacher assistants in the classroom.
4. Demonstrate a warm, calm, safe, and unhurried manner, serving as a role model for students, teacher assistants, interns, and staff.
5. Provide for the education, care, safety, and well-being of all students, while meeting the student's emotional, social, physical, communication, and intellectual needs.
6. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities with clear lesson plans built on the student's individualized education program and will maintain data for all goals and behavior plans, including management of IEP record for therapies received.
7. Assess for children's needs and development curriculum and plans to meet these needs.
8. Provide guidance and professional developmental to instructional staff, assistant teachers, and therapists.
9. Plan periodic parent conferences to discuss student's developmental progress, needs and interests, and maintain open communication with parents and caregivers.
10. Will maintain a cooperative relationship with students, co-workers, university students, and parents.
11. Attend staff meetings; report problems of child or room management to the director promptly.
12. Attend in-service training; keep current on developments in field of special education and child development. Maintain continuing education for licensure.
13. Manage a safe, clean, and pleasant environment for all students.
14. Lift 50+ pounds regularly, move from floor to standing with ease, and provide care to students including changing diapers, toileting, feeding, and managing basic medical needs.
15. Perform any related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Special Education, Education, or a closely related field.

Must meet required standards as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education and be a licensed teacher in the state of Mississippi with a special education endorsement. Must be able to lift and carry 50+ pounds in the event of an emergency, pick up a 50-pound child and able to provide adaptive care (e.g., changing diapers, feeding, transporting from wheelchair to stander).

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience teaching students with special needs including group experience with children ages 5 and older.
2. Prior staff and/or student supervision experience.
3. Experience in a special education classroom teaching or assisting for 2 or more years.
4. Teaching endorsements in 221, 222, 223, and/or 224.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

- Must be able to move quickly and transition from sitting to standing with ease.
- Regularly involves quick movements, bending, and lifting (50+ pounds)
- Vision requirement: Able to see children and read in print.
- Hearing requirement: Able to hear children speak to support communication development.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applicants must apply online and attach 1) a cover letter; 2) resume; 3) the complete contact information for three professional references; 4) a copy of transcripts with SSN redacted (official transcripts are required upon employment); 5) a copy of your Mississippi Department of Education teaching license.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.