Job Title: Special Education Teacher, Low Incidence Classroom
Location: Current opening is at the elementary school for the 2026/2027 school year
Reports to: Building Administrator and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Special Services
Summary: The job of Teacher - Special Education is done for the purpose/s of providing instruction in daily living, functional, and academic readiness skills, including hygiene, independence, safety awareness, communication, and functional academics. Develops, implements, and monitors IEPs while assessing and reporting student progress. Supports students’ social-emotional growth and positive behavior through structured routines, visual supports, and behavior strategies. Collaborates with therapists, families, and administrators, supervises paraprofessional scheduling, and ensures student safety, personal care, and medical needs are met.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Practical Life Skills Instruction: Teach daily living and functional skills including practicing hygiene (handwashing), independence (tying shoes, dressing), and safety skills (fire safety, identifying community helpers).
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Developing emotional awareness, resilience, empathy, and positive behavior to manage feelings and build relationships.
- Instructional Strategies: Using visual schedules, interactive stories, role-playing, and consistent, daily routines to reinforce skills.
- Behavior Support: Implement behavior modification techniques, positive reinforcement, and classroom management strategies.
- Academic Adaptation including functional academics and communication such as integrating early math (counting coins), literacy (functional vocabulary), and communication skills (asking for help, turn-taking). Teaching academic readiness skills that will assist students to participate in the regular education classroom.
- Assessment & Reporting: Assess student performance, maintain accurate records, and prepare report cards and progress reports.
- Collaboration & Supervision: Work with therapists (OT, PT, SLP), parents, and administrators; supervise paraprofessionals.
- Safety & Care: Provide or supervise personal care, medical needs, and supervision for student safety.
- IEP Development & Implementation: Create, monitor, and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Maintains a cooperative relationship with staff, students, and community.
- Serves as a case manager in the development and implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
- Maintains records regarding individual student progress toward IEP goals and objectives, services and accommodations provided, parent contacts, notices and other documentation as required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Special Services or the school principal.
- Participates in student eligibility evaluations and re-evaluations.
- Initiates communication with parents of students with disabilities on a regular basis.
- Uses technology effectively to implement instruction and to manage documentation requirements.
- Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
- Abides by Missouri statutes, school board policies and regulations.
- Upholds school rules and administrative regulations.
- Attends meetings and performs duties as assigned by administrators or supervisors.
Other Job Functions:
- Maintains strict confidentiality.
- Physical Demands: Ability to lift, move, and support students with physical disabilities.
- Abilities: Patience, creativity, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage complex behavioral and physical needs.
- Prepare lesson plans for use by a substitute teacher.
- Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities.
- Report suspected abuse, neglect, discrimination and harassments as directed by Board policy.
- Other duties as assigned
Work Environment:
- Setting: A highly structured, specialized classroom often within an elementary school.
- Atmosphere: Active and often loud environment requiring constant monitoring of student safety and engagement.
Qualifications Education: Bachelor's Degree
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid Missouri teacher certificate in one or a combination of the following areas: Cross categorical, mild-moderate disabilities (includes LD, BD/ED, MR and OHI certifications) hearing impaired, visually impaired or severe developmental disabilities. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable
Skills and Abilities
Language
An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Read, analyze and interpret professional journals, Board policy, administrative procedures and forms, and governmental regulations and guidance. Complete forms, write reports and engage in written correspondence with parents. Present information effectively and respond to questions. Write clear and complete lesson plans.
Reasoning
An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Solve a variety of problems in many different situations. Interpret instructions presented in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Apply knowledge of current educational theory and instructional techniques while presenting subject matter to students
Technology
An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Perform basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use. Use district software for recording grades, writing IEPs and finding student information. Utilize Interactive Flat Panels and other instructional technology provided by the district.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Physical Demands
An individual who holds this position: Is frequently required to stand, stoop, bend and kneel. May have to use therapeutic restraint or lift students. Must have both close and distance vision. Speak and hear in an environment where numerous conversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously. Move around the classroom. Read handwritten or printed material.
Terms of Employment:
Term of days for certified staff as defined by district calendar, which is approved yearly.