Special Education Team

Special Education Team

Meet The Special Education Team

In Rainbow Schools, our special education staff members play an important role in creating the best possible learning environment for each exceptional student. Whether a classroom teacher, program consultant or educational assistant, we are a group of professionals dedicated to supporting exceptional learners so they maximize their potential and become productive and satisfied members in a global community.

Superintendent of Special Education Programs and Services articulates the vision for special education programs and services by establishing direction for professional learning to meet the current needs of the exceptional students of the Board.

Principal of Special Education Programs and Services works collaboratively with students, parents/guardians and special education staff to ensure the effective implementation of special education programs and services.

School Principals and Classroom Teachers as part of the special education team, are involved in the development and implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including accommodations, learning expectations, teaching strategies, assessment methods and the use of assistive technology.

Special Education Teachers facilitate the identification of and programming for exceptional students. They provide direct and indirect support to exceptional students as well as consult with classroom teachers, central special education staff, parents/guardians and community agencies to plan and implement special education programs and services.

Educational Assistants provide support in regular or self-contained classes in relation to developmental, corrective or care needs of exceptional students. The work of the Educational Assistant is planned and directed by a certified Special Education Teacher.

Professional Support Staff includes psychologists, psychometrists, as well as speech and language pathologists, conduct specialized individual student assessments and Board-wide assessments and screenings. They are responsible for providing written reports of assessment, diagnosis and recommendations as well as communicating diagnosis results to parents/guardians and special education school staff, among others.

Special Education Consultants (elementary) and Co-ordinator (secondary) act as a resource to parents/guardians, teachers, Principals and Superintendents in designated schools/areas. These professionals are well versed in matters pertaining to the learning and behavioural needs of students and in the design and implementation of programs for exceptional pupils.

Program Leader of Special Education (secondary) is responsible for the day-to-day operation of special education programs and services within their respective school. The program leader ensures that the needs of exceptional secondary school students, as outlined in their IEPs, are being addressed and ensure compliance with the guidelines established in the Rainbow District School Board Special Education Plan.

Itinerant Teacher of Students who are blind/low vision provides direct instruction to students who are blind/low vision, shares specific strategies to be used with these students with all school personnel and acts as a liaison between community and outside agencies such as the CNIB and W. Ross Macdonald School.

Itinerant Teachers of Students who are deaf/hard of hearing provide direct instruction to students who are deaf and hard of hearing, share specific strategies to be used with these students with all school personnel and provide in-service training to school personnel about the impact of hearing loss on learning and communication.

Assistive Technology Computer Technician provides technical support and training of teachers and students in assistive technologies.