Academic Specialist K-4 - Special Education Licensed (SLD licensure preferred)

Job Title

Spring Lake Park Schools is seeking dedicated educators to join our vibrant school community serving about 6,200 students from the suburbs of Blaine, Fridley and Spring Lake Park in the northwest Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Our district purpose - "High expectations, high achievement for all. No excuses" provides our focus to meet the unique and varied needs of each student. Spring Lake Park Schools is recognized for our commitment to personalized learning, creating a culture of innovation and creativity through human-centered design thinking. We are working to create a culture where teachers and staff have the freedom, flexibility and invitation to design new ways of learning that are centered around deepening student engagement to continuously improve student success.

Each teacher at Spring Lake Park Schools designs meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future. Our educators create engaging, relevant work grounded in students' interests, strengths, and needs challenging them to think deeply and take an active role in their learning. Teachers cultivate inclusive, engaging learning environments where each student feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging. The focus is developing strong academic skills and essential career and life competencies such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and self-direction. Our teachers are reflective, collaborative professionals committed to ongoing learning. They embrace a culture of reciprocal feedback, refining their practice and driving continuous improvement and innovation. Above all, they believe that each student deserves meaningful work worthy of their time, talents, and potential.

Our academic specialists licensed in Specific Learning Disabilities use diagnostic assessments to identify each learner's skill needs and provide individualized, evidence-based interventions that build foundational understanding while supporting progress toward core curriculum goals. They design engaging, motivating learning experiences that reflect students' interests, use assessment for learning strategies to guide next steps, and monitor growth to ensure accelerated progress and achievement of IEP goals. Specialists collaborate closely with case managers, general education teachers, and related service providers, actively contributing to IEP and evaluation meetings to support student success.

Qualifications/Licensing Requirements: The successful candidate must have earned a B.A. or B.S. degree and holds or is eligible for a Minnesota State Licensure in Specific Learning Disabilities. Additional demonstrated qualifications include: commitment to the equitable education of all students, creative planning and organizational skills, and highly effective interpersonal skills. Ability to successfully implement the responsibilities of the position overview listed above.

Preferences: We strongly prefer candidates who have exhibited excellence in collaboration with colleagues and an enthusiasm to work with students. Preferred candidates will also have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning as evidenced by graduate-level work or an earned degree, as well as participation in professional organization conferences or seminars related to the content area. Prefer candidate with experience working with diverse learners.

Salary Group Teachers Position 1.0 FTE Teacher Rate of Pay $53,228-$107,781/school year (placement determined based on experience and qualifications) Benefits Medical, Dental, Sick Leave, 403(b), Life, LTD, FSA Other Salary pro-rated based on start date.