Position Goal:
To provide specialized, engaging, and meaningful physical education instruction to students with a wide range of disabilities, including Severe Multiple Impairment (SMI), Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI), Severe Emotional Impairment (SEI), Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The APE Teacher is responsible for designing a classroom and community-based program that fosters the maximum level of functional independence, physical well-being, and social integration for every student.
Performance Responsibilities:
- Develop and work toward achievement of performance objectives for each assigned student, with a system for data collection and evaluation for these objectives.
- Demonstrate ability to instruct students individually and in groups, based on knowledge of child growth and development and using multi-sensory techniques.
- Evaluate, revise and implement classroom curriculum.
- Be trained and certified to teach Michigan Sex Education.
- Remain current in knowledge of Michigan Sex Education Laws.
- Chair the Human Growth and Development Committee (Sex Education).
- Collaborate with all teachers to maintain HGD lessons and materials for all student levels.
- Team teach all levels of HGD with the school nurse.
- Work as a team with assistant teachers and program assistants to pursue and meet individual performance objectives, assist students in personal care and create an organized, positive classroom environment which maintains the dignity of the individual student.
- Maintain appropriate records (i.e. Accident Forms, medical, Department of Human Services reports, educational and attendance records).
- Involve students in community-based instruction/activities and be responsible for student safety in community outings/training, as appropriate/IEP.
- Establish a positive relationship with parents and home providers, and communicate regularly with them about growth, progress, problems and successes.
- Analyze student behavior, assist in the development and implement behavior supports, as needed.
- Serve as a resource to parents of impaired students, providing information and/or contacts for support, assistance or knowledge of their child's impairment.
- Work cooperatively with ancillary staff, office staff, administration and community service agencies.
- Explore/establish inclusion opportunities with peers.
- Supervise assigned student teachers, interns, vocational students and volunteers.
- Demonstrate professional improvement through in-service attendance, SCECH's or college credit and conference attendance.
- Prepare required reports and provide necessary information accurately and punctually.
- Identify program needs and assist in finding solutions for special education problems.
- Participate in activities and schedules for school wide events.
- Constantly monitor and evaluate the safety and well being of all students and report any concerns to the proper authorities.
- Oversee and share information/knowledge with teachers and assistant teachers.
- Dispense and record student medications and communicate regularly with school nurse.
- Responsible for objectives in gross motor, fitness, aquatics and sports domains.
- Assist classroom teachers with community-based instruction.
- Maintain positive school/community relationships.
- Arrange efficient instructional schedules cooperatively with other instructional staff.
- Arrange transportation for community-based instruction.
- Responsible for program funds.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the St. Joseph County ISD Administrators.
Physical Aspects of the job:
- Climb steps and playground equipment as needed.
- Walk long distances in community-based instruction.
- Lift and position physically involved students.
- Physically assist with aggressive student behavior using CPI.
- Assist students in sports events (i.e. skiing, winter field day, track and field events).
- Change briefs or assist any students in toileting and other self care skills.
- Demonstrate home living skills and physically assist students with hands-on experiences.
- Use universal precautions at all times for personal health and safety.
- Be certified yearly in CPI and biyearly in CPR, AED and first-aid training.
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
- Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.
