The Elk Point-Jefferson School District in Elk Point, SD, has a K-12 Special Education Teacher/Coordinator position opening for the 2026-2027 school year.
If you have questions regarding the position please contact Special Education Director/Elementary Principal Laura Throener. 605-356-5800 or Laura.Throener@k12.sd.us or school superintendent Dr. Philip Schonebaum at 605-356-5951 or philip.schonebaum@k12.sd.us
Job Description:
Special Education Teacher/Coordinator(Partial Caseload)
District: Elk Point-Jefferson School District
Department: Special Education
Reports To: Elementary Principal / Director of Special Education
Contract Type: Teacher Contract + Coordinator Stipend
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
The Special Education Coordinator (Partial Caseload) serves as the programmatic leader for the district's special education program while carrying an assigned student caseload. This is not a purely administrative role — the Coordinator provides direct instruction and case management for students with disabilities alongside leadership and coordination responsibilities. This position serves as the first point of contact for special education staff, supports compliance and evaluation oversight, and works in close collaboration with the Elementary Principal and Director of Special Education to ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality, legally compliant, and data-driven services in the least restrictive environment. Additional district coordinator responsibilities may be assigned as determined by the Director of Special Education.
Required Qualifications
- Valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate with Special Education endorsement required.
- Minimum of three years of successful special education teaching experience required.
- Case management experience required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, IEP development, and special education compliance.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a lead teacher, instructional coach, or coordination role.
- Administrative licensure Preferred.
- Masters Degree Preferred
- Experience conducting or overseeing special education evaluations.
- Knowledge of Behavior Intervention Planning (BIP) and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
- Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, families, and outside agencies.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Teaching & Caseload
- Carries an assigned partial special education caseload, which may span multiple grade levels.
- Develops, implements, and monitors IEPs for assigned students.
- Facilitates IEP meetings, annual reviews, and re-evaluation conferences.
- Provides direct instructional support aligned with IEP goals and district curriculum.
- Communicates regularly with families regarding student progress and programming.
Program Leadership & Building Support
- Serves as the first point of contact for special education staff seeking support or guidance.
- Maintains a visible, responsive presence across district buildings.
- Ensures District expectations and special education procedures are consistently implemented.
- Monitors IEP implementation to ensure service fidelity.
- Supports the district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process.
Compliance & Evaluation Oversight
- Monitors IEP quality, evaluation timelines, and compliance with IDEA requirements.
- Coordinates initial evaluations, re-evaluations, and eligibility determinations.
- Ensures documentation meets District, State, and Federal requirements.
- Assists with data collection and reporting for State and Federal compliance.
- Assists with coordination of Extended School Year (ESY) programming as applicable.
Instructional Coaching & Behavior Support
- Coaches special education staff in effective instructional strategies and inclusive practices.
- Conducts classroom walkthroughs and provides real-time feedback.
- Serves as a resource for staff regarding behavioral strategies, BIP/FBA support, and crisis prevention.
- Collaborates with teams and administrators to address complex behavioral needs.
Staff Supervision & Leadership
- Evaluates assigned special education staff and paraprofessionals.
- Provides mentorship, onboarding support, and day-to-day guidance to special education staff.
- Facilitates special education team meetings and reports to the Director of Special Education.
- Assists with recruitment, hiring, and professional development of special education staff.
Additional Coordinator Duties
- May be assigned additional responsibilities such as McKinney-Vento, Title programs, or 504 coordination as determined by the Director of Special Education.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations, including IDEA.
- Ability to evaluate, coach, and support staff in instructional best practices.
- Ability to analyze data to drive instructional and programmatic decisions.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to compliance timelines.
- Ability to balance teaching responsibilities with leadership and coordination duties.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with administrators, staff, families, and community partners.
Contract Terms & Benefits
- Teacher salary schedule placement commensurate with education and experience.
- Annual Coordinator Stipend
- Benefits per District policy.
- Professional development and continuing education support.
Physical & Environmental Requirements
This position requires the ability to work in a school environment, including prolonged periods of standing, sitting, and walking, as well as travel between district buildings. Evening meetings and professional development outside of contract hours may be required. Occasional physical intervention may be required if trained and applicable. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Elk Point-Jefferson School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.