Academic Teacher (Various Specialties) (Correctional Facility) Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 23, 1975

Scope

This specification describes classes used in correctional facilities in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide instruction in academic subjects to persons committed to this Department. Incumbents maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates, youthful offenders, residents, or�patients and protect and maintain the safety of persons and property. Specific classes have been established for the following specialties:

Job Description

Incumbents in these specialty classes help persons committed to State correctional facilities in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prepare to become productive and contributing members of society by training them in academic subjects and by helping them to develop socially acceptable attitudes and interests. The teachers give both individual and group instruction, conduct assessment and testing, and in many instances, participate as members of an interdisciplinary treatment team. The teachers have responsibility for supervising the conduct of the students while in the classroom and may be called upon to assume general custody responsibilities in time of emergency.

The using Department has differing programs and, therefore, place emphasis on differing duties but, in general, they stipulate that the teacher play an important role in the total education, treatment and training process, as well as in teaching the skills which will enable the individual to seek occupational opportunities. The teachers' tasks include: planning, assigning, and supervising work; maintaining control and discipline in the classroom; controlling all materials and equipment which may be used as potential weapons; preparing courses of study and daily lesson plans; counseling students as to progress in the instructional program; working with students and helping them set and meet educational needs and goals; participating in program evaluation; participating in extracurricular programs; preventing escapes and injury by students to themselves or others or to property; inspecting premises and searching for contraband, weapons or illegal drugs; and performing other related duties. They may be assigned to work as relief teachers, on a full-time basis, in specialties other than those for which they were hired. In addition, they may work with treatment teams which combine the services of personnel in the custody, academic, vocational, psychiatric, and casework areas. The teacher has an important role of providing information of an educational nature which can help other members of the team to better determine each student's treatment needs. In new and developing programs, teachers will participate in the development and continuing revision of curriculum.

Minimum Qualifications

Teacher

All applicants must possess a valid California Teaching Credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Applicants who do not possess the required credential or one of equivalent authorization may take the examinations but must have on file with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing an application for an appropriate credential. At the time of application for the examination, applicants must present written verification that the appropriate listed credential or its' equivalent is being processed or will be authorized.

No appointments will be made to permanent positions with an Emergency Credential. After issuance, the credential is the responsibility of the holder and must be maintained by completion of any Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements.

Elementary-Multiple Subjects

Possession of:

1. A Multiple Subject Credential. or

2. A Standard Elementary Credential. or

3. A General Elementary or General Secondary Credential.

Emotionally/Learning Handicapped

Possession of one of the following credentials:

1. Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities

2. Special Education Specialist Instruction Credential for the Learning Handicapped

3. Standard Teaching Credential with the Minor - Mentally Retarded

4. Restricted Special Education Credential - Educable Mentally Retarded

5. Limited Specialized Preparation Credential - Mentally Retarded

6. Special Secondary Credential - Mentally Retarded

7. Exceptional Children Credential - Mentally Retarded

English Language Development

Possession of:

A basic teaching credential. and Possession of one of the following credentials or certificates:

1. A Multiple or Single Subject Credential-Bilingual Crosscultural Emphasis. or

2. Bilingual Crosscultural Specialist. or

3. Bilingual Certificate of Competence. or

4. Language Development Specialist Certificate. or

5. Bilingual Certificate of Assessment Competence (Spanish/English).

High School-General Education

Possession of:

1. A Single Subject Credential or a Multiple Subject Credential. or

2. A Standard Secondary Credential with a major or minor in an academic subject area. or

3. A General Secondary Credential.

High School-Arts and Crafts

High School-English/Language Arts

High School-Foreign Language

High School-Home Economics

High School-Industrial Arts

High School-Mathematics

High School-Music

High School-Physical Education

High School-Science

High School-Social Science

Possession of:

1. A Single Subject Credential in the appropriate subject area. or 2. A Standard Secondary Credential with a major or minor in the appropriate subject area. or 3. A General Secondary Credential, with a major/minor in the appropriate subject area.

Librarian

Possession of:

1. A Library Services Credential. or 2. A Standard Teaching Credential restricted to service as a Librarian and a Teacher of Librarianship. or 3. A Librarianship Credential.

Speech Development and Correction

Possession of a basic teaching credential; and Possession of one of the following credentials:

1. Specialist Instruction Credential in Special Education with an authorization in Communication Handicapped. or 2. Clinical Rehabilitation Services Credential in Language, Speech and Hearing or with a special class authorization of Aphasic. or 3. Standard Restricted Credential in Speech and Hearing Therapy. or 4. Standard Elementary or Secondary Credential with a minor in Speech and Hearing Handicapped. or 5. Exceptional Children in Speech Correction and Lip Reading.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Teachers

Knowledge of: (With particular reference to their specialty) Principles and methods of teaching; principles of educational psychology as applied to their teaching; current trends in educational methods; remedial teaching techniques and adapting instruction to student deficiencies; and emotional problems of students at State correctional facilities.

Ability to: Provide leadership and motivation to inmates, youthful offenders, residents, and patients; teach and supervise these individuals; work effectively with other disciplines; gain the interest, respect, and cooperation of students; develop socially acceptable attitudes in students; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; and in some positions speak fluently one or more variations of a specified second language in addition to English.

Special Requirements

All Teachers

Must be willing to continue their educational development; work in a State correctional facility; participate in group-oriented treatment programs; maintain an empathetic and objective understanding of inmates, youthful offenders, residents, and patients; demonstrate teaching ability or potential for teaching; emotional stability; tact; patience; open-mindedness; and high moral standards.

Special Physical Characteristics

All Teachers

Persons appointed to positions in this class must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates.

Assignments during tour of duty may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates and/or the protection of personal and real property.

Class History