Careers: Special Teacher for Group Therapy with Children

The Karin Dom team has been working for 27 years to support children with special needs and their families to lead independent and happy lives. Since the fall of 2022, we have grown as one of our dreams become a reality – we opened the new complex for health, social and educational services in a new building, created especially to meet the needs of children with special needs and their parents. We are happy to have the opportunity to grow and reach more families. The new complex is an example of an innovative and functional center at an international level.

Our principles of work put respecting and guaranteeing the rights of children first. We believe that every child, regardless of their physical and mental condition, has abilities and strengths that should be developed and used when we talk about securing their basic rights and equal access to social, health and educational services, family care and public support.

Today we are looking for a responsible and warm-hearted professional who supports and understands our cause and is willing to fill the position of Special Teacher for group work with children.

MAIN DUTIES FOR A SPECIAL TEACHER FOR GROUP THERAPY WITH CHILDREN

• Participates in the team screening of new children for inclusion in a group for therapeutic work in a Montessori environment.
• Plans, organizes and leads group therapeutic processes and carries out therapeutic and educational work with children with special needs – physical and mental disabilities, speech and language disorders, sensory problems, behavioral problems, hyperactive behavior and Autism, multiple disabilities, of children with special needs.
• Analyzes and supports children’s cognitive development, play and self-care abilities in everyday life. Works with them to build skills and habits for independence.
• Supports the proper organization of the educational process, children’s work, self-care, fun and sports games.
• Participates in the preparation and implementation of an annual program based on the Montessori system of education and training.
• In the daily work with children, they carry out activities that meet the main requirements for the implementation of the Montessori system of education and upbringing, based on the principles and practice in this field.
• Organizes the prepared environment in the classroom and monitors its order, demanding the same from the assistant teachers working in the group.
• Produces additional (not original) Montessori materials, according to the needs and capabilities of the children attending the group.
• Maintains the children’s relationship with nature and the environment by carrying out activities related to specific processes and phenomena together with the children.
• Organizes the work of assistant teachers working in the group, provides them with methodical training and training in the context of therapeutic work and according to the Montessori method.
• Selects appropriate methods and means of influence for planned and unplanned situations in children’s daily life.
• Organizes integration activities for the children from the group with other children from Karin Dom and the community. Participates in the process of preparation and implementation of the integration of children in standard kindergartens and schools.
• Maintains and completes the necessary documentation, according to the rules for working with children in Karin Dom.
• Advises parents of children included in the entrusted group. Provides guidance and educates parents and relatives to continue therapy at home.
• Plans, analyzes and reports on a daily basis the group work and the frequency of children’s visits. Prepares monthly reports.
• Prepares and participates in holidays and entertainment organized for the children in/outside Karin Dom.

Additional duties

• Maintains and increases their own qualification by participating in courses, seminars, mainly in trainings according to the Montessori system of education and upbringing and works for increasing their own qualification as a special teacher.
• Participates in the activities of Karin Dom Foundation as a resource center and training center – teaches as part of a multidisciplinary team – seminars, practical classes for parents, professionals, students, volunteers, social assistants, etc.from the region and the country.
• Annually conducts the necessary examinations for a personal health certificate.

Requirements for the position

Professional competence

• Higher education – bachelor’s/master’s degree in Special Pedagogy, specialty Speech Therapy
• Experience in working with children with special needs and families – min. 3 years.
• Knowledge of the specific medical, social, educational and behavioral aspects of different disabilities
• Very good computer literacy

Personal qualities

• Ability to work in a team
• Responsibility – professional attitude to the specific duties of the position, performance of the additional tasks set and their performance within the specific terms
• Good communication skills
• Creativity
• Patience
• Initiative
• Willingness to work in a dynamic environment
• Analytical and decision-making ability
• Experience working with children and parents
• Non-discriminatory treatment
• Good workplace management
• Strive to upgrade professional knowledge and skills

The following shall be considered an advantage

– Skills to apply the principles and practice of the Montessori system of learning and upbringing when working with children with special needs in preschool age

– Proficiency in English at a working level

WHAT WE OFFER

• A permanent employment contract with a fair salary reflecting the responsibilities of the position
• Paid leave from 36 to 45 days
• Care through the Health and Wellbeing Program
• Internal tracking system and incentives for good performance
• Trainings to acquire knowledge and skills for leading methods and approaches to support children with special needs and parents
• Mobile phone, office computer
• Possibility for trips related to the exchange of experience in the country and abroad according to the organization’s projects

If you recognize yourself as the person for the described position, we would be happy to receive your resume and cover letter by April 5, 2024 at bboncheva@karindom.org

We are committed to reviewing all submitted applications and returning feedback and an invitation to a first interview to those candidates who meet our expectations for this responsible position and have submitted a cover letter.