Educator Preparation Specialist - Special Education

Position:                  Educator Preparation Specialist 

Term:                       Part-Time/550 hours 

                                Start Date:  7.1.2024

Classification:         Exempt 

Location:                 Joplin Schools/Administration Building 

Qualifications:

• Valid Missouri teacher certification, required;
• Master’s degree in curriculum/instruction and/or school administration, preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Excellence in written communication;
• Proven initiative and self-starter; Proven leadership and mentorship experience

Supervisory:              No 

Reports to:                Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services

Code:                        02.2211.6111.0855.46500.4.000

Job Code:                  2730

The Educator Preparation Specialist works collaboratively with the Building Principal, Student Services, Learning Services, and potential partner universities to mentor and support new teachers in the classroom, in order to reach high levels of student achievement.

General Expectations

• Supports the mission of Joplin Schools.
• Supports the value of education.
• Become familiar with, enforce, and follow all applicable Board policies and regulations, administrative procedures, other directions given by district administrators and supervisors, and state and federal laws.
• Properly supervise students at all times, if applicable to essential job functions.
• Obey all safety rules, including rules protecting the safety and welfare of students.
• Care for, properly use, and protect school property.
• Maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, department staff, all members of the school district, and community as required. 
• Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
• Complies with privacy rights and safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information pertaining to staff and students.
• Reacts to change productively and receive and transmit constructive criticism as it relates to job duties.
• Actively participate in professional development and obtain skills and information necessary to effectively perform job duties.
• Conduct all official business in a professional and timely manner, utilizing district technology resources.
• Arrive to work and leave work at the time specified by supervisors and attend all required meetings pertinent to the position.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes as required by law and Board policy.
• Solve practical problems utilizing math functions as needed to complete job duties. 
• Read and interpret documents such as work orders, safety rules, and handbooks and apply to job duties.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate and facilitate a series of summer checkpoints to help onboard new teacher hires to the district.
• Assist educators in integrating the school's curriculum and resources effectively, including technology platforms applicable to the teaching position.
• Prepare new teacher hires for the upcoming school year by guiding essential aspects such as parent communication, classroom setup, and orientation. This includes training on parent communication platforms, assistance with classroom materials preparation, and thorough guidance on first-day procedures.
• Support potential student teachers who will serve as the Teacher of Record through provisional certification with DESE.
• Conduct weekly observations of the Teacher of Record, using university-provided evaluation forms, until achieving a qualifying score.
• Attend mandatory observation training sessions organized by the partner university.
• Ensure presence for all MEES evaluations.
• Provide professional development and support on various instructional aspects, including classroom management, student engagement, technology integration, and data-driven instruction.
• Collaborate through co-planning, co-teaching, observing, and offering embedded classroom support as required.
• Analyze data and facilitate data discussions with educators.
• Provide support to teachers on an as-needed basis, offering assistance and guidance as required to address specific challenges or enhance instructional practices.
• Attend monthly meetings with Student/Learning Services departments to ensure alignment and collaboration in supporting teacher needs.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

Physical Demands

The individual who holds this position is regularly required to walk, hear and speak and must have close moderate and distance vision ability.  

Attendance

Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position.  

The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Conditions and Environment

The work environment is consistent with a typical office environment.  

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.