Elementary Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

The Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, evaluates and assesses student progress towards instructional goals and objectives, follows state-mandated due process procedures, and functions as the IEP case manager to assigned students.

Primary functions include developing and implementing annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students based on their current strengths and needs in qualifying areas, coordinating the delivery of special education services according to each student's IEP, conducting special education evaluations and reevaluations and creating reports based on findings, providing research-based specialized instruction and differentiation strategies to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student's IEP, assessing student progress and using data to determine the need for additional strategies, employing various teaching techniques, methods, and learning principles to enable students to master their IEP goals and objectives while providing appropriate feedback on work, working cooperatively with other teachers and staff members in developing instructional goals and strategies, creating a positive learning experience emphasizing individualized instruction using appropriate sources, including technology, serving as primary contact for the parent, providing direction, supervision and evaluation of educational assistants as directed, complying with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations, completing all district and state reporting requirements, instructing and monitoring students in the use of learning materials and equipment, using relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction, managing student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures, maintaining discipline under the rules and disciplinary systems of the school, updating all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws, district policies and school regulations, preparing required reports on students and activities, participating in department, school, district and parent meetings, communicating necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and parents regarding student progress and needs, establishing and communicating clear objectives for all learning activities, preparing the classroom for class activities, providing a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities, demonstrating preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds, encouraging parent and community involvement, obtaining information for parents when requested, promptly returning phone calls and answering emails, participating in appropriate professional activities, participating in extracurricular activities such as social, sporting, clubs, and student organizations as directed, and other duties as assigned.

Skills/qualifications include a BA/BS degree in teaching from an accredited institution, South Dakota State certification in teaching in the appropriate subject area with a special education endorsement, meeting professional teacher education requirements of the school district and the state, ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with children, students, parents, staff, administration, and the general public, ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, knowledge of the principles of effective teaching of students with disabilities, performing all other related work delegated or required to accomplish the objectives of the total school program, knowledge and implementation of relevant technology, and proven ability to report to work regularly and punctually.

Physical requirements include regularly sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, operating a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other office equipment, reaching with hands and arms, and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds. This position can require some physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior.

Comprehensive Benefits Package! SDRS retirement (6% employee match and 6% district retirement contribution), 403(b) retirement, paid time off benefits, including paid holidays, district paid life insurance, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance. Benefits are pro-rated for part-time positions. Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment background check. Revised 01/05/2025.