Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

About the Role

Our private special education program is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and collaborative Special Education Teacher to join our educational team. The Special Education Teacher plays a central role in providing individualized, engaging, and supportive educational experiences for students with disabilities.

This position focuses on supporting students' academic achievement, functional skill development, independence, social-emotional growth, and preparation for their future educational, vocational, and community goals. The teacher will develop and implement instruction based on each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), while adapting curriculum and teaching strategies to meet individual learning styles, strengths, and support needs.

The Special Education Teacher will work closely with students, families, administrators, paraprofessionals, and related-service providers to ensure consistency in the implementation of student goals, accommodations, modifications, behavioral supports, and other individualized services. The teacher will also provide instructional direction and guidance to paraprofessional staff assigned to support students throughout the school day.

Our program serves students in grades 9 through 12+ from Fairfield and New Haven Counties who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and require a specialized educational setting. Students may remain enrolled through the school year in which they turn 22 , depending on their individual educational needs and completion of academic requirements. When appropriate, students may transition into our Transition Services program to continue developing the skills necessary for adulthood.

Many of our students receive 1:1 paraprofessional support , with paraprofessionals working under the direction of the teacher to implement individualized goals, objectives, accommodations, behavioral supports, and instructional strategies. Our educational team works together to provide a structured, respectful, and supportive environment where students can develop academic, social, behavioral, communication, functional, and independent living skills.

Students attend Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM , following a traditional school-year calendar. This position offers flexibility of approximately 30–40 hours per week .

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education, Education, or a related field from an accredited institution.

• Valid Connecticut teaching certification appropriate for the position.

• Comprehensive Special Education, Grades K–12 (Endorsement #165) .

• Experience working with students with disabilities, preferably in a specialized or private special education setting.

• Knowledge of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), differentiated instruction, accommodations, modifications, and progress monitoring.

• Strong classroom management and student-support skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary educational team.

• Ability to provide clear instructional direction and guidance to paraprofessional staff.

• Ability to maintain accurate and timely educational documentation and student records.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized instruction based on students' IEPs, educational needs, strengths, interests, and identified goals and objectives.

• Develop lesson plans and instructional activities addressing academic, functional, social-emotional, communication, and independent living skills as appropriate.

• Provide differentiated instruction and adapt curriculum, materials, and teaching strategies to meet individual student needs.

• Implement IEP accommodations, modifications, supports, and services as required.

• Monitor, collect data, and document student progress toward IEP goals and objectives.

• Use student data and ongoing assessment to evaluate progress and modify instruction when appropriate.

• Maintain accurate student records, including lesson plans, progress documentation, attendance, IEP-related documentation, and other required educational records.

• Provide direction and guidance to paraprofessionals regarding the implementation of student-specific goals, accommodations, instructional strategies, and behavioral supports.

• Collaborate with paraprofessionals to promote consistency in the implementation of student programs and supports.

• Work collaboratively with related-service providers and other members of students' educational teams to promote consistency across educational and therapeutic services.

• Participate in Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, IEP meetings, parent/guardian conferences, team meetings, and other educational planning meetings as required.

• Assist with the development, implementation, and review of students' IEPs and educational programs.

• Communicate regularly and professionally with parents/guardians and members of the student's educational team regarding student progress, needs, concerns, and accomplishments.

• Establish and maintain a structured, safe, respectful, and supportive classroom environment.

• Implement appropriate positive behavioral supports and strategies consistent with students' individualized plans and program expectations.

• Support students in developing independence, self-advocacy, social skills, communication skills, and practical life skills.

• Provide instruction and opportunities that prepare students for employment, continued education, community participation, and adult life.

• Collaborate with the Transition Services team, when appropriate, to support students' transition from academic programming to post-secondary and adult services.

• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with applicable federal and state requirements, school policies, and program procedures.

• Participate in professional development and ongoing training related to special education, instructional practices, behavioral supports, and student services.

• Maintain professional communication and collaborative relationships with all members of the student's educational team.

Skills & Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to individualized special education . The ability to build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate structure, consistency, and professional boundaries is essential.

Strong differentiated instruction and classroom management skills are important for creating an environment in which students with varying abilities and support needs can participate and make meaningful progress. The teacher should be comfortable adapting instruction, using multiple teaching approaches, and incorporating academic and functional learning opportunities throughout the school day.

Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. The Special Education Teacher will work closely with paraprofessionals, families, administrators, related-service providers, and other members of students' educational teams. The ability to provide clear direction to paraprofessional staff and maintain consistency in the implementation of student supports is an important component of this position.

Experience with IEPs, PPT meetings, progress monitoring, positive behavioral supports, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed educational practices is valued. The successful candidate should approach each student as an individual and be committed to identifying and building upon their strengths while addressing areas of need.

The teacher should be comfortable working with students who have a wide range of academic, behavioral, communication, social, and functional support needs and should be able to adapt to changing student needs throughout the school day.

Technological proficiency and the ability to use digital tools for instruction, documentation, communication, data collection, and progress monitoring are preferred.

Above all, we are seeking a teacher who is patient, dependable, collaborative, adaptable, organized, and committed to helping students develop the academic, functional, social, vocational, and independent living skills they need to reach their individual potential.