Early Childhood Special Education Teacher; 3-5; TEMPORARY position approximately 1/4/27-5/28/27

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Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher

Nurture Potential | Inspire Discovery | Build Strong Foundations

Are you a compassionate early childhood educator driven by the belief that early intervention alters life trajectories? We are looking for a dedicated Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher to deliver play-based, individualized instruction, foster essential developmental milestones, and create inclusive pathways for our youngest learners (birth through age 5/Pre-K).

In this role, you won't just teach�you'll advocate, guide, and unlock childhood potential, working alongside a collaborative team of early childhood specialists, therapists, and families who share your passion for early intervention.

Why You'll Love This Position

• Foundational Impact: Shape developmental trajectories during the most critical early learning years, giving young children the tools they need to thrive.
• Play-Based & Family-Centered: Design sensory-rich, playful learning environments while partnering closely with families to support growth both at school and at home.
• A Supportive Ecosystem: Work side-by-side with early childhood general educators, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), and dedicated program leaders.

What You'll Do

1. Developmental Instruction & Play-Based Learning

• Deliver engaging, play-based instruction tailored to individual cognitive, social-emotional, communication, adaptive, and motor needs.
• Adapt routines, multi-sensory activities, and early learning materials using differentiated strategies and assistive tools to ensure full participation.
• Design and execute personalized learning plans aligned directly with student Individualized Education Programs (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP).

2. IEP/IFSP Leadership & Progress Monitoring

• Conduct developmental evaluations and participate in IEP/IFSP team meetings, drafting meaningful, family-aligned goals and accommodations.
• Collect and analyze developmental progress data to continuously refine instructional strategies and celebrate early milestones.
• Maintain complete alignment with federal (IDEA Part B & Part C), state (MN), and district special education due process guidelines.

3. Family-Centered Collaboration & Wraparound Support

• Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents and caregivers, sharing insights and strategies to support learning in everyday routines.
• Coordinate with therapists (OT, PT, Speech) and support staff to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary services.
• Facilitate smooth transitions for children and families moving between early intervention, preschool, and kindergarten settings.

4. Classroom Culture & Social-Emotional Growth

• Implement positive behavior supports, trauma-informed practices, and co-regulation strategies to foster self-confidence, independence, and peer interaction.
• Maintain a warm, structured, and emotionally safe early learning space where young children feel secure, valued, and excited to explore.

What You Bring

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education, or Early Childhood Education.
• Licensure: Active Minnesota Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teaching License (Birth � Age 6).
• Skillset: Deep understanding of early child development, play-based instructional techniques, sensory integration strategies, and empathetic family engagement skills.
• Experience: Prior experience supporting young children with diverse needs is preferred (enthusiastic, newly licensed ECSE educators are encouraged to apply!).

Work Environment

• Setting: Early Childhood Special Education classrooms, inclusive preschool settings, and early learning centers.
• Physical Expectations: Dynamic early childhood environment requiring active movement, frequent sitting on the floor, bending, lifting, and physically assisting young children with mobility or self-care needs as required.
  
  Application Procedure:
  Apply online
  
  Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.
  
  Equity is one of ISD728's core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. ISD728 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.