Special Education Teacher - Alternative Education/Virtual Academy (26.27 School Year)

POSITION:  SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER   

ALTERNATIVE ED/VIRTUAL ACADEMY

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

FTE STATUS:  1.0

REPORTS TO:  BUILDING PRINCIPAL/DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

DATE: 5/6/2026

SUMMARY:  

The Special Education Teacher for the Alternative Education/Virtual Academy Program provides high-quality, individualized instruction in a flexible, non-traditional learning environment that supports diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.  This role includes coaching online coursework, ensuring IEP compliance, and collaborating with staff, families, and community partners. The teacher fosters a structured, inclusive environment that promotes engagement, credit attainment, and graduation readiness. 

TEACHING PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consistently promotes fairness, respect, and appreciation for diverse perspectives while supporting students with varied academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs in a non-traditional learning environment.
• Commits to ongoing professional learning and the development of instructional practices tailored to alternative education; encourages and supports student growth through individualized learning plans, goal setting, and skill development.
• Maintains high expectations for all students while recognizing individual circumstances; develops personalized pathways to success and supports students in progressing toward credit attainment and graduation.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships and maintains consistent communication with students and families, fostering a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment that promotes engagement and accountability.
• Demonstrates a commitment to honoring each student’s background, experiences, and challenges, creating an inclusive environment that values student voice and promotes belonging.
• Establishes a learning environment focused on effective, flexible instruction, ongoing assessment, and data-driven decision-making to address gaps in learning and support student progress.
• Utilizes school and community resources to support students’ academic success, social-emotional development, and post-secondary readiness, including collaboration with support staff and external partners.
• Demonstrates collegiality and professionalism by collaborating with colleagues, support staff, and administration to meet the unique needs of alternative education students and programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliant IEPs and Behavior Intervention Plans; conduct IEP meetings with parents, students, and staff.
• Fully, independently and accurately implement the requirements of IDEA and Michigan’s Special Education regulations.
• Plan and deliver differentiated instruction aligned to district curriculum, IEP goals, and alternative pathways, using data to monitor progress and guide interventions.
• Track and evaluate student academic, behavioral, attendance, and participation data; maintain accurate records and develop action plans to support growth.
• Provide virtual office hours, respond to student inquiries, and deliver timely feedback to support engagement and achievement.
• Establish and maintain a structured, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment that promotes equity, positive behavior, and high expectations.
• Communicate consistently with students, families, staff, and community partners, adapting methods to support varying levels of engagement and inclusion.
• Collaborate with teacher consultants, colleagues, and administration; participate in professional development, staff meetings, and district initiatives.
• Conduct observations and evaluations for students suspected of disabilities and coordinate services with community agencies as appropriate.
• Integrate technology, real-world connections, and student voice to enhance engagement and post-secondary readiness.
• Maintain confidentiality, adhere to district policies and procedures, and demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Mandated Reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Other duties as assigned by the Administration.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Position may include supervisory responsibilities over Paraprofessional staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Possession of a Bachelor’s or higher degree.
• Valid Michigan teacher's certificate with Special Education endorsement(s) required.  
• Must meet No Child Left Behind Standards as defined by the State of Michigan.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Applicants must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check as defined by the State of Michigan.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to explain and demonstrate appropriate teaching techniques.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret periodicals and professional journals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, students and the general public.
• Ability to write lesson plans, business correspondence and other related correspondence.
• Ability to express yourself clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret information. 

TECHNICAL SKILLS: 

• Ability to integrate technology into the everyday work flow is necessary.
• Ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the District. 
• Ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.
• Ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communications mechanisms. 
• Knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY: 

• Highly proficient in subject areas of: reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Exhibit a high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
• Ability to take initiative; work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills. 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff.  The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out-put of students.  The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

TERMS:  

The contract, salary and other employment conditions will be established by the Board of Education in conjunction with the Lincoln Consolidated Schools and the Washtenaw County Education Association/MEA/NEA collective bargaining agreement.  Further, the applicant must agree to fully participate in all relevant training inclusive of or unique to the building assigned and the District. 

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position.  The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision.  Lincoln Consolidated Schools retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

Lincoln Consolidated Schools is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Lincoln Consolidated Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information or any legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

"The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District."

 Portrait of a Graduate 2023-2028 Strategic Plan