Description

We are seeking an adventurous and passionate Special Education teacher to work collaboratively with our amazing elementary team in the beautiful Andes Mountains of Ecuador!                                       

AAI Mission: AAI exists to develop followers of Jesus Christ who live with a focus on eternity, provide students with a U.S. style of education based on the highest standards of educational excellence, and provide a caring community where students are taught to be critical in their thinking, multicultural in their understanding, and compassionate in their dealings with others.

AAI Ends: Students achieve their potential as ambassadors for the Kingdom of Christ at a cost that is justifiable by the results.  Students thrive as life-long learners.  Students follow Christ and live with a focus on eternity.  Students readily engage in diverse cultures and communities. Students mature as whole persons.

Position Purpose / Description:  The Special Education Teacher contributes to the fulfillment of the Academy’s Ends and Mission by facilitating AAI’s mission in the lives of our community members.  The focus of this position is based on the recognition that the primary means of reaching students for Christ is through investment in the community members that surround and support them.  The EFL Teacher is responsible for growing the entire secondary community by building meaningful relationships for the purpose of leading them closer in their walk with Christ.  The Special Education Teacher will be given and assume leadership responsibility and authority in fulfilling AAI’s mission.

Unique Qualifications: Commitment to discipling students with a focus on eternity; a passion to teach students in alignment with best practices; ability to thrive in a diverse context and foster multicultural understanding

Tasks and Responsibilities:  

Among other duties that may be assigned by this employee’s direct supervisor or AAI administration, the following is a list of general tasks and duties for which this person is responsible:

Instructional Planning & Implementation:

• Plan, prepare materials for and teach remediation classes as needed for students who are performing significantly below grade level.
• Collaborate with and be an available resource for classroom teachers in providing and identifying strategies and materials that will be effective for helping students to achieve success within mainstream classes.
• Contribute to pre-planned lessons to ensure appropriate differentiation needed to meet each student's learning needs while maintaining the highest and most appropriate learning expectations for all students.
• Contribute, in collaboration with classroom teachers, to the implementation of instruction by employing co-teaching models.
• Develop or contribute to the development of modified assessment tools in collaboration with classroom teachers and based on student accommodations or goals
• Actively support classroom/content teachers in their understanding and compliance with the accommodations and modifications for students.
• Effectively manage students in collaboration with the classroom teacher while recognizing and responding to a variety of learning styles, ability levels, and educational/linguistic backgrounds.
• Employ technology as appropriate to enhance instruction. 

Assessment & Response to Data:

• Collaborate with or initiate student referrals, appropriate completion and timely submission to ESST
• Continually and accurately assess and monitor student progress and make appropriate modifications of goals and strategies to meet students' needs.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of student progress, attendance, and classroom supplies and materials.
• As applicable, use the standardized template(s) to develop/update student Accommodation Plans and/or  Specialized Education Plans (SEP), establishing personalized accommodations and development goals for each student that are tailored to his or her individual needs and abilities.  
• As applicable, request and document receipt of regular certificates of attendance and progress reports from external service providers with special attention to recommendations that apply to classroom instruction.
• As applicable, prepare for and facilitate Accommodation Plan and/or SEP meetings with parents, administration, and instructional team members.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Collaborate with teachers, Assistant Principals, Principal, and DECE in instances of student behavior that involve students on the teacher’s caseload.
• Keep the student’s instructional team(s) and administration adequately informed of progress or deficiencies of students and give sufficient notice of deficiency or failure.
• Communicate with parents and external service providers (as applicable) to inform them of their child’s progress or deficiencies and suggest techniques to promote learning at home.
• Be appropriately available to parents and instructional teams for parent-teacher conferences, as needed
• Participate collaboratively as a member of the EFL/SPED department.

Professionalism: 

• Reflect the mission/vision of the school.
• Act as a positive role model for students.
• Openly support and abide by all school policies and procedures.
• Recognize the need for good public relations. Represent the school in a favorable and professional manner to the school's constituency and the general public.
• Integrate Biblical principles and the Christian philosophy of education throughout the curriculum and activities.
• Contribute to a classroom environment that is conducive to learning in collaboration with the homeroom teacher.
• Develop and maintain rapport with students, parents, and staff by treating others with friendliness, dignity, and consideration.
• Attend and participate in student chapels, faculty/staff chapels, open house, as well as committee, department, faculty, and other meetings as required.
• Follow the Matthew 18 principle in approaching conflicts with students, parents, staff, and administration. 
  Maintain a clean, attractive, and well-ordered office space and/or classroom.
• Interact cooperatively with other staff members in the development of cohesive curriculum materials and the establishment of instructional goals.
• Know the procedures for dealing with issues of an emergency nature.
• Inform the administration in a timely manner if unable to fulfill any duty assigned.
• Prepare adequate information and materials for a substitute teacher in the event of an extended absence.

Supplemental Responsibilities:

• Serve on at least one elementary or school-wide committee during each school year (this may be the Elementary Student Study Team).
• Utilize educational opportunities and evaluation processes for professional growth.
• Provide input and constructive recommendations for administrative and managerial functions in the school.
• Mentor students during and after school hours by participating in extracurricular activities and discipleship activities. May include evenings and weekends on occasion.

Important note: This job description delineates, in general, the main tasks inherent to the position.  However, AAI reserves the right to assign, modify, or omit specific tasks depending on the operational needs, considering the performance, skills, and abilities of the volunteer/staff member, and such changes will be notified accordingly.

Requirements

• Minimum of BA or BS in Special Education or a related field is required. 
• Teacher certification or the ability to obtain certification is required 
• Native English proficiency level (C2) is required.
• One year of related experience or the successful completion of an internship or a student teacher experience is required.