Overview
The purpose of this classification is to design and implement a high-quality, inclusive pre-kindergarten learning environment that serves both children with and without disabilities. The teacher provides developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to district curriculum while also delivering specially designed instruction and related supports in accordance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The teacher serves as a special education case manager, ensuring that all students—across a full range of abilities—access rigorous, engaging learning experiences that promote communication, social-emotional growth, early literacy and numeracy, independence, and positive behavior.
Responsibilities
- Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described.
- Maintains appropriate licensure and acknowledges that continued employment with the Hamilton County Department of Education is contingent upon providing required documentation to validate licensure in a timely manner.
- Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, inclusive Pre-K program aligned to TN Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS), district curriculum, pacing guides, and Tennessee Special Education Pre-K Scope of Services.
- Provide whole-group, small-group, and individualize instruction across content areas including language development, early literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning, physical development, art, music, and dramatic play.
- Create an inclusive classroom environment consistent with CLASS/ELLCO and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
- Implement instructional materials suitable for students with a wide range of cognitive, physical, communication, and social-emotional needs.
- Sit with students during meals and snacks and provide active supervision throughout the school day.
- Ensure that students are signed in and out each day.
- Serve as case manager for students with disabilities, including: Participating in referral and evaluation processes.
- Facilitating and documenting IEP meetings.
- Developing, implementing, and monitoring IEP goals and services.
- Provide specially designed instruction and behavior supports aligned to student IEPs.
- Collect and analyze ongoing data on IEP goals and developmental progress, including progress reports and ECOs.
- Daily communication with families about progress on goals Collaborate with related service providers (e.g., speech-language, OT, PT, school psychology, behavior support) to integrate services into daily instruction.
- Implement assistive technology and communication systems as appropriate.
- Administer required Pre-K and special education assessments in accordance with district timelines.
- Maintain progress monitoring data for all students.
- Use assessment data to inform instructional decisions and individualized supports.
- Communicate regularly with families through conferences, newsletters, meetings, and home-school communication.
- Daily communication with families about progress on goals Engage parents as partners in both general education and special education processes documenting discussions of Least Restrictive Environment.
- Collaborate with paraprofessionals/assistants, itinerant staff, and related service providers to ensure coordinated instruction and support.
- Plan and coordinate the work of classroom assistants, volunteers, and support staff.
- Maintain accurate and timely records for both general education and special education (including IEP documentation and timelines), including academic performance, attendance, interventions, and social acclimation.
- Reports on all aspects of student development for school records and parents; conducts parent-teacher conferences on both a regularly scheduled and as-needed basis.
- Implement district, state, and federal policies, including IDEA and Tennessee special education regulations.
- Develop in each student an awareness of his or her worth as an individual and his or her role in the family and community.
- Encourage students to express themselves creatively in art, music and dramatic play.
- Enrich educational program through study trips to community resources such as museums, parks, zoos, and through classroom visits by resource persons from the school and community.
- Share and interpret these experiences with students and parents.
- Maintain accurate, complete and legible records as required by law and the school district.
- Participate in curriculum and other developmental programs as appropriate.
- Implements district, state, and federal policies, regulations, and laws.
- Maintains order in classroom, and in conjunction with administrative staff, administers discipline when necessary to achieve proper behavior.
- Manages student conduct and disciplinary issues in accordance with district, state, and federal guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Maintains mandated reporting responsibilities for suspected abuse or neglect.
- Communicates through the proper channels to keep appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
- Shares responsibility with teachers and paraprofessionals for monitoring halls, study periods, lunchroom, bus duty, assemblies, field trips, and extracurricular activities.
- May include providing general physical assistance to students with various disabilities.
- Tasks will involve, but are not limited to, assisting students with toileting, feeding, mobility, self-help, and behavioral needs.
- Coordinate and communicate with school nurse as needed, participate in development of Integrated Health Plan as needed.
- Responds to emergencies and ensures student safety both on and off campus.
- Participates in faculty meetings, professional development, educational conferences and other activities that promote professional growth and student achievement.
- Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
- Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
- Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
- Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Attends work and arrives to work on time.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Education, Experience, and Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field; Valid State of Tennessee teaching certificate with valid appropriate dual endorsements in Special Education.
- Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
- Experience working in inclusive early childhood or integrated Pre-K settings preferred.
- Experience serving preschool students with disabilities preferred.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of IDEA and Tennessee special education regulations for preschool.
- Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practice.
- Ability to design inclusive learning environments that support diverse learners.
- Skills in data collection, progress monitoring, and IEP implementation.
- Strong communication skills with families, staff, and community partners.
- Ability to manage classroom behavior using positive behavior supports.
- Technology skills for instructional delivery and IEP/data systems.
- Compensation Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
- Certified Schedule This position may be eligible for an increase in total compensation.
- The Differentiated Compensation Plan applies to designated schools and hard-to-staff positions.
- Please see https://www.hcde.org/staff/human_resources/differentiated_compensation for more details.
