Special Education Teacher

Position Overview Position Title: Special Education Teacher Location: District-wide Department: Special Education Reports To: Director of Special Education Term: Ongoing 188-day contract beginning with the 2026-2027 school year (Prorated depending on start date) Schedule: Mon-Fri Full-time Salary: Positions follows the 2025-2027 Teacher Salary Schedule Date of last review: February 2026 Summary The Special Education Teacher provides instruction for learners who are enrolled in special education programs while creating an engaging, nurturing, and safe learning environment that allows learners to develop their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Positions are available at the Elementary, Middle, and High School settings. Preference selection available in application process. The Teacher provides interventions and supports in academics, future ready skills, knowledge, and dispositions to be compassionate, lifelong-learners, and contributing citizens in a rapidly changing world. The Teacher follows the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) procedures and completes compliant paperwork to support learners with disabilities in the educational settings. Collaboration Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff. Engages with other district staff in the professional learning community process. Fosters an environment that establishes respect and rapport between educator and learners. Collaborates with a team, including colleagues within the Special Education department, grade-level educators, and paraprofessionals. Collaborates with district staff to support learner behaviors through functions such as Individualized Education Program (IEPs) and more. Proactively seeks to resolve issues for colleagues and learners by engaging with leadership on problem-solving discussions. Communication Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity. Utilizes effective communication skills to facilitate connection and sharing of thoughts and ideas in multiple formats with diverse audiences. Clearly and effectively communicates, verbally and in writing, learner IEPs, assessments results, and eligibility by following state and district special education guidelines. Establishes and clearly articulates procedures and routines that promote efficiency and appropriate use of time. Clearly communicates the instructional purpose of each lesson and makes connections to prior learning. Engages learners in meaningful direct instruction, guided practice, and independent practice. Utilizes questions, discussions, and dialogue that promote critical thinking about diverse perspectives, viewpoints, and experiences. Compassion Empowers learners to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic learners, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences. Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion. Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others. Creativity Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience. Utilizes creative, critical thinking skills when faced with challenges. Designs assessments that are aligned to the standards and learning targets and provide frequent opportunities for authentic and meaningful assessments. Establishes a classroom culture that values high expectations, work ethic, and a growth mindset. Plans programming for individual and small groups of learners that is based on learner data implemented to meet each student's individual ability and need. Utilizes a variety of specialized teaching techniques, interventions, and assessments in order to assess and intervene with individualized programming that ensure learner progress. Critical Thinking Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding. Demonstrates knowledge of content/intervention in all disciplines; explicitly connecting key concepts to develop learner skills. Proactively utilizes planning and organizational skills to address changes and challenges efficiently and effectively. Uses subject matter expertise and data to drive meaningful change for colleagues and learners. Proactively implements personalized, structured learning for the individual learner. Reflection Demonstrates understanding of the diverse social, emotional and developmental learning needs of learners. Utilizes frequent opportunities for visible learner engagement, self-assessment, and self-reflection. Actively participates in on-going professional development opportunities. Actively participates in the professional learning community process. Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities. Resilience Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations. Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps. Responsibility Teaches through the use of various multi-sensory techniques designed to stimulate students with specific learning problems. Utilizes district guaranteed and viable curriculum including the scope & sequence of academic and social emotional learning targets along with the defined proficiency scales. Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the learners. Utilizes district behavioral plans as a backbone to promote positive learner behavior. Fosters a safe and equitable classroom environment. Utilizes the district protocol for maintaining information on learner progress. Utilizes knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and learners. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the learners. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to learners. Evaluates learner progress on a regular basis and maintains complete and accurate records in the form of progress reports. Attends and participates in faculty meetings. Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administration regulations, state and federal regulations and board policy. Physical Demands and Work Environment While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear. The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision. The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds. The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands. The employee may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens or other bodily fluids on rare occasions. The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level. Education and/or Experience North Dakota Teaching License with qualifications in one or more areas of Special Education. Bachelor's Degree in one or more areas of Special Education. Master's Degree in Special Education is preferred. Experience working in a Special Education classroom is preferred. Experience developing and implementing IEPs and positive behavior support plans is preferred. Experience with positive behavioral supports is preferred. Experience working with learners with complex behaviors is preferred. Prior teaching experience is preferred. Language Skills Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language. Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively. Other Skills and Abilities Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement. Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance. Supervisory Responsibilities None. EEO Statement The West Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other protected status by law. External applicants are eligible for ND Veteran's Preference: North Dakota veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a form DD214, and if claiming disabled veteran's status, a current letter of disability. West Fargo Public Schools is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all hiring and employment practices. Applicants who incorporate a holistic perspective and a commitment to inclusion are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr West Fargo Public Schools