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Pressley Ridge Benefits

The well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. At Pressley Ridge, we strive to provide the most competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs that are affordable and help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible health.

• Medical coverage available with a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match
• Prescription coverage
• Dental and vision plans
• Patient advocate and Medicare specialists available at no cost
• Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account
• Wellness incentive (up to $250)
• 403b with up to 9% employer give/match
• Free life insurance and AD&D
• Paid sick time (up to 15 days)
• Paid holidays including a birthday holiday
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher will participate on a regular basis in the direct instruction of students and will participate in the same professional development activities as Special Education Teachers and/or Teachers of the Deaf/hard of hearing. The Lead Teacher is responsible for organizing and implementing curriculum and instructional programming. The Lead Teacher will meet the duties of teaching as outlined by the program. The Lead Teacher is also responsible for assisting in the development of standards-based curriculum and assessment opportunities, research-based instructional methods, aligning materials and resources to curriculum outcomes, diagnostic testing, and other teacher leadership responsibilities.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Quality Educational Programming
   1. Will act as a resource for classroom support.
   2. Co-teaches with other classroom or instructional staff in all subject areas (lead & support, station teaching, parallel teaching, alternative teaching [small group, supplemental, re-teaching, enrichment] and team teaching).
   3. Assist the Program Director in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the peer tutoring program.
   4. With the teaching staff, identify students who could benefit from additional academic tutoring and conduct small group tutoring sessions.
   5. Identifies and selects appropriate academic goals.
   6. Efficiently and effectively select materials for tutoring sessions.
   7. Provides consistent feedback to students for academic performance.
   8. Provides maximum amount of instruction time during tutoring sessions.
   9. Integrates experiential education into tutoring instruction.
   10. Instruct students who need reading intervention, using Read 180.
   11. Assist the Program Director in the development and maintenance of the curriculum lab by reviewing, evaluating, and selecting new materials for the lab.
   12. Report, monitor and review KTEA-III scores to measure overall academic progress of students and program effectiveness.
   13. Actively implement components of all Re-ED values in the school, home, and community settings.
   14. Design and annually review Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.s) for students and complete students transition planning for all students who are at transition age.
   15. Use standardized academic assessment methods to determine the achievement levels of each student within four (4) weeks of his/her entry to the program, yearly thereafter, and within one (1) month prior to a student’s discharge from the program. testing will occur at other times on an as needed basis.
   16. Provide consultation to teaching staff regarding interpretation and use of assessment information to formulate teaching objectives and activities.
   17. Administer statewide testing (PSSA, PASA, and Keystone exams) at designated times to identify students during the school year.
   18. Assist with the setting up and monitoring of the classroom diagnostic tools and scholastic inventories.
   19. Instruct students in all areas specified in I.E.P. through individual or group instruction.
   20. Correct academic work in all areas specified on the I.E.P.
   21. Teach subject area aligned to Pennsylvania State Standards.
2. Communication
   1. Maintain frequent informal communication with team members and families regarding student programming and progress.
3. Supervision
   1. Receive supervision.
      1. Receive supervision from and actively communicate with supervisor on an ongoing basis throughout the week by phone, email, written message and when possible, in person regarding program matters.
   2. Provides supervision.
      1. Supervise staff directly or their supervisors depending upon the personnel actions including action plans, hiring, terminations, recruitment, vacation and sick day requests. Ensures that program staffing is qualified and provides continued safety of children served with high rates of success/program completion.
4. Leadership
   1. Design daily/weekly individual and group lesson plans for students.
   2. Assist the Program Director in the planning and implementation of all school- wide extracurricular activities.
   3. Provide consultation to all teaching and supervisory staff in the areas of teaching materials and methods.
   4. With the Program Director, provide at least two (2) teacher in-services per year relevant to innovative teaching techniques and materials.
   5. Under the direction of the Program Director, participate in all Curriculum Committee activities.
   6. Demonstrates a proficient level of cultural sensitivity.
   7. Build positive and productive relationships with a diverse population.
   8. Supervision is required.
   9. Works independently without close supervision and is self-motivated.
   10. Demonstrates empathy and active listening skills.
   11. Directly always supervise assigned students via visual and auditory contact during the school day unless otherwise arranged with staff or students.
   12. Participate in all ancillary meetings.
   13. Make recommendations to the Program Director about the merit increase to be awarded to the employee at 6 months of service, 12 months, and then annually thereafter.
   14. Maintain comprehensive supervision records of Teacher of the Deaf/hard of hearing performance.
   15. Conduct formal verbal and written evaluations of designated staff members at 6 months of service, 12 months and annually thereafter (written evaluation reports will be reviewed and signed by the Program Director).
   16. Will take on instructional roles as necessary.
5. Finance/ Budget
   1. Follows financial constraint of the classroom/school budget.
6. Professional Development
   1. Serves periodically on program committees, with the approval of the Program Director.
   2. Attends periodically local, state, or national conferences and workshops, with the approval of the Program Director.
   3. Provides in-service training to Pressley Ridge programs, with the approval of the Program Director.
   4. Obtains and maintains professional certification as required by Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
7. Documentation
   1. Complete all required documentation surrounding assessment, tutoring and documentation as directed.
   2. Utilize technology through electronic documentation, electronic communication, and use of the internet to supplement programming.
   3. Report all diagnostic scores in the manner specified by the Program Director, in terms of immediate information for teaching staff and permanent records.
8. Risk Management and Safety
   1. Follow designated program policy regarding the documentation of negative incidents (such as physical injury or illness, property damage, runaway, student search for drugs or weapons, physical restraint and so on).
   2. Follow program-designated procedures for all physical contact with students during physical restraints, student searches etc.
   3. Follow program-designated procedures for student illness and injury, including arranging necessary medical care and informing appropriate persons of the situation, and documenting the injury/illness and actions taken.
   4. According to a designated schedule, supervise students’ arrival and departure to school via buses and cabs.
   5. Assist other staff as needed in physical interventions to protect students and staff from injury.
   6. Detect and remediate any potentially dangerous environmental conditions (such as broken glass).
   7. When transporting students, maintain safe driving procedures.

Qualifications

1. Education/Certifications/Licensure:
   1. Requires a master’s degree in special education.
   2. Requires a Level Two (2) PA State Teacher Certification in Special Education. For School for the Deaf, Level Two (2) in Deaf Education required.
   3. Requires proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) within two (2) years of employment for the School for the Deaf.
   4. Requires a valid state driver’s license, safe driving record, and current auto insurance.
2. Experience:
   1. Requires five (5) years of teaching experience.
3. Clearances Required by Applicable Regulations:  
   1. State Police 
   2. FBI 
   3. Child Abuse Clearances 
   4. Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training certificate and/or statement

Working Conditions

1. Physical Demands:
   1. This position requires operating a keypad device 25% of the day and electronic/office equipment 50% of the day. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs and feet are all routinely used throughout the day. The lower and upper torso is used 75% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. For positions in the School for the Deaf, hearing and speech are not requiredbut ASL proficiencyis (see qualifications above). Walking is required 75% of the day. Standing occurs 75% of the day. Sitting happens 25% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 25% of the day. This function routinely lifts 15 pounds, 4 times per day. The maximum lift is 10 pounds, 4 times per day. The position requires the ability to implement physical interventions and meet the physical demands of TCI. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
2. Mental Demands:
   1. Continually handles diversity of problems.
   2. Frequently performs multiple tasks, make quick decisions, concentrate, and handle distractions that interfere.
3. Environmental Factors:
   1. Environmental demands require this position in schools and community.
4. Working Hours:
   1. Hours dependent on school schedule. Flexibility to meet student needs.
   2. PRSD is on a 12-month schedule. PRSA and Day School Greensburg and Johnstown are on a 10-month/ school year schedule. This position in a Day School Pittsburgh follows a 10-month/ school year schedule plus 5 additional days over the summer.