Anticipated Special Education Self-Contained Teacher-Lift/Rise

Anticipated - Special Education Elementary Teacher - Self-Contained - Lift/Rise Program

Reports To: IEP Coordinator, Building Principal, and Director of Special Services

Salary Range: $57,392 – $109,152 annually, pursuant to the KAKEA Collective Bargaining Agreement Appendix I Salary Scale (2026–2027)

Position Summary

Mildred L. Day School has an opening for a dedicated, compassionate, and collaborative special education teacher to join our team in a self-contained program serving students from Kindergarten through 5th grade.

The LIFT/RISE Self-Contained Teacher provides direct, highly individualized instruction and behavioral support to students with significant developmental, intellectual, and neurodiverse needs (including Autism Spectrum Disorder, multiple disabilities, and intensive communication or medical needs). LIFT (Learning Independence & Fostering Transition) / RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Education).

Operating in a specialized, structure-rich self-contained environment, the teacher uses evidence-based practices to maximize student independence, functional communication, life skills, and academic access. This educator leads a multidisciplinary classroom team to foster a neurodiversity-affirming, safe, and inclusive learning space.

This position is ideal for an educator who is passionate about creating a supportive, structured, and inclusive environment for students with a range of academic, social and emotional as well as functional and developmental needs. This position is a direct teaching and case management position. Instruction occurs in the special education setting and supports in the general education setting. Mildred L. Day proudly offers a robust Best Buddies program, as well as outstanding specialists in art, music, physical education, health and media/library. While we provide Title I literacy and math, English to Speakers of Other Languages and Gifted and Talented Programs, our staff and students are also supported by educational technicians and interventionists in literacy and math. Our bustling PTO hosts many great community/school wide events to connect our families with staff.

We are looking for a team player who loves children and is passionate about teaching and learning.

Responsibilities will include:

- Create a positive, predictable classroom environment with clear routines and consistent expectations.
- Demonstrate the competence and flexibility necessary to program for students with academic and functional needs.
- Provide individualized and small group instruction aligned with students' IEP goals in both academic and functional content areas.
- Collect and utilize data to inform instruction in all academic areas as well as behavioral data to inform interventions as needed.
- Supervise and manage educational technicians in the special education classroom and during mainstreaming.
- Collaborate closely with support staff during referral meetings, related service providers, and general education colleagues.
- Experience with de escalation strategies, preferably Safety Care.
- Maintain ongoing communication with families about student progress and participate in IEP meetings.

Qualifications: Maine State Certification - 282, Valid Maine Criminal History Records Check, Must have knowledge and experience writing IEPs and collecting data.

Terms of Employment

• Full-time school-year position.
• Salary Range: $57,392 – $109,152 annually, pursuant to the KAKEA Collective Bargaining Agreement Appendix I Salary Scale (2026–2027)
• Salary and benefits in accordance with the negotiated teacher contract.

Additional Information

Reasonable Accommodations: RSU 21 will provide accommodations to an individual with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or applicable law, who has made the district aware of their disability, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship to the district.

Terms of Employment: Salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Board policies. We may use employer surveillance technology to monitor activity and communications.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually by the Building Principal.

Apply via our application portal

• Internal Applicants: Submit a Letter of Interest (upload it where the resume is requested). No resume or letters of reference are required, however, candidates are encouraged to submit a full package for consideration by the Hiring Committee.
• External Applicants: Submit a current resume/CV and three letters of reference.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.