Special Education Teacher - Bridges Program (Coconino High School; 2026-2027)

FLAGSTAFF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1
Job Description

Special Education Teacher - Bridges Program
2026 - 2027 School Year

Position Title: Certified Teacher for Partially Self-Contained Program (Bridges)
Department/Section: Coconino High School
Supervisor: Site Administrator, in collaboration with Executive Director, Student Services and Educational Excellence

2026-2027 School Year: 1.0 FTE; Benefits offered; ASRS participation (required); Start date: August 3, 2026.

Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the competencies and behaviors needed to improve student preparedness and mastery and to support the core values, vision, and mission of the Flagstaff Unified School District.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTION:  To plan, organize and implement an excelling learning environment that guides and encourages students to meet their educational potential.  At FUSD, teaching and learning is centered on student’s diverse needs while ensuring a high level of student achievement.  In our classrooms, diversity is understood, appreciated, and leveraged as an asset.  We work collaboratively as teams to plan instruction that ensures vertical and horizontal alignment.  Demonstration of commitment to learning, a growth mindset, and embracing a culture of innovation is expected.  

ADDITIONAL BRIDGES TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Bridges Program Teacher provides specialized academic, behavioral, and social‑emotional instruction for students whose needs fall between those served in a fully self‑contained classroom and those supported in a traditional resource setting. Students have access to the Bridges classroom throughout the school day for structured academic support with high school content, behavioral regulation, and crisis intervention. The teacher maintains a highly structured, supportive learning environment, manages and directs paraprofessional staff, and ensures consistent implementation of behavioral and academic supports. This position requires training and/or experience working with students in crisis, as the teacher plays a critical role in de‑escalation, safety, and crisis‑response within the program. The overarching goal of Bridges is to build the skills necessary for students to increase their participation and success in general education settings. 

FUNCTIONS SPECIFIC TO BRIDGES TEACHER:

Typical Tasks:

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this class.

1. Assess skills, write goals, implement appropriate teaching strategies, and evaluate progress on individual student’s IEPs. 
2. Plan lessons and activities that will address the goals identified for students as well as at least one core content area to students on the Bridges caseload based on high school standards.  Implement these lessons/activities to support the student’s individual IEPs. 
3. Complete functional behavior assessments (FBAs), create and implement behavior support plans (BIPs), and/or develop safety plans with the IEP team.  
4. Ensure the implementation of a class schedule, individual student schedules, paraprofessional schedules, and ensure a home/school communication procedure.  
5. Communicate and collaborate with general education teachers who also work with students in the program. 
6. Work with and direct any paraprofessional who is assigned to work in your classroom and with any student(s) assigned to your classroom. 
7. Complete items necessary to maintain special education paperwork, including progress notes and Medicaid documentation for any Medicaid services that are identified on the student’s IEP. 
8. Follow specific school procedures as identified by the individual school principal. 
9. Perform other duties as assigned. 

 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (ALL CERTIFIED TEACHING POSITIONS):
Instructional Planning:

• Plans instruction from the Arizona State Standards to meet classroom and student-based objectives.
• Assess students’ skills to determine proficiency and classroom supports
• States objectives compatible with department/grade/school goals in performance outcomes, including lesson plans; documents procedures to achieve outcomes.
• Organizes and makes available the time, space, materials, and equipment needed before instruction.
• Plans relevant classroom activities and work to reinforce lessons through active student engagement.

Instructional Strategies:

• Utilizes effective instructional strategies.
• Implements procedures involving students with the maximum time on task.
• Uses effective and innovative techniques to motivate student interest/enthusiasm for subject.
• Facilitates retention of learning.
• Adjusts instruction to facilitate student mastery.
• Provides prompt and specific feedback to students on both their work and behavior.
• Provides opportunities for all students to apply knowledge or practice skills.

Instruction:

• Presents subject matter in a clear, precise, coherent, and logical way.
• Communicates objectives, purpose, value and relevance of lessons as appropriate.
• Communicates appropriate, competent knowledge of subject matter with confidence and accuracy.
• Gives clear directions and explanations related to lesson content and/or learning activity.
• Frequently asks questions of relevance, clarity, and variety.
• Frames questions at different cognitive levels/differentiates instruction.
• Provides appropriate responses, equitable response opportunities.
• Promotes positive relationships among students by modeling.

Instructional Environment:

• Provides a learning environment that is positive, provides a growth mindset, promotes diversity, and allows for innovation and successful failures.
• Communicates enthusiasm for learning and teaching.  Interacts with all students, regardless of ability level, disability, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.  Will embrace all students with empathy and enthusiasm.
• Articulates and maintains classroom behavior system conductive to learning.
• Models professional courtesy and respect in manner and dress.
• Encourages students to deal with varying degrees of success, failure, self-control, and responsibility.

Professional Responsibilities:

• Meets professional responsibilities outlined in policy.
• Engages in professional self-development.
• Is accessible to students and parents.
• Maintains and communicates accurate records of grades, attendance, and special reports.
• Works cooperatively to plan curriculum and improve instruction.
• Demonstrates ethical and professional practices in working with students, parents, colleagues, and student records.
• Refers students with special needs to counselors, specialists, or school nurse as appropriate.
• Makes use of school resources and takes care of all school property and equipment.
• Maintains a safe and health classroom environment.
• Is open to change, growth and innovation in the classroom and work environment.

Goal Setting and Professional Experience

• Works toward achievement of school and District goals.
• Knows school and district goals for the current year.
• Follows guidelines and procedures recommended for achieving goals.
• Works with building administration to individualize goals by identifying objectives, activities and criteria.
• Supports administration in governing student conduct.
• Knows school expectations for behavior and attendance.
• Enforces school policies, rules, and procedures in the classroom, on campus, and at school-related activities.
• Develops and communicates expectations and consequences for student conduct in the classroom.
• Complies with Arizona Revised Statutes, District policies, federal laws and regulations, and administrative guidelines.
• Is informed and follows District policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the building administration or Superintendent.

The details and statement outlined in this position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Current Arizona Special Education Mild/Moderate (K-12) certification required. Secondary experience preferred.
• Valid IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

The details and statement outlined in this position description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

MENTAL TASKS
Communicates verbally and in writing.  Reads.  Analyze and evaluate student progress and course curriculum.  Develop, implement and evaluate plans.  Manages classroom.  Promotes learning and ensures safety.  Perform functions from written and oral instruction and from observing and listening to others.  Evaluate written materials to include written assignment and tests.

PHYSICAL TASKS
Work involves the performance of duties where physical exertion and movement is required to perform the aspects of the job.  Assistance is available as required to perform physically demanding tasks.  Work involves sitting and moving for extended periods of time, requires moving from one location to another, reaching, bending, stooping (moving to eye level of the student), hold and grasping objects.  Verbal communication ability required.

EQUIPMENT, AIDS, TOOLS, MATERIALS
Uses blackboards, whiteboard, easel, bulletin board, computers, video projectors, chalk, markers, and office or instructional equipment.   FUSD recognizes that ever changing development of technology but expects all staff to keep abreast of changing technology opportunities and use tools and devices provided to them.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoor – classroom environment. Outdoor – all weather conditions and temperatures.  Playground environment. Contact with public, employees, children and parents.  Exposure to noise, dusts, gas and fumes.

CONTROL AND SUPERVISION
Monitor control of students, communicates with families frequently about strengths and areas for growth, volunteers and/or assistant aides and paraprofessionals in the classroom, field trips, lunchroom, library, school buses and other areas.

OUT OF STATE:  FUSD will consider out of state applicants.  However, please attach a current teacher certificate for your state, as well as unofficial transcripts. Candidate must meet & show proof of being appropriately certified, before new hire appointment & beginning job assignment. Official transcripts & employment verifications required at time of hire for proper salary placement. It can take several weeks to obtain an AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card. We encourage you to begin the process of obtaining an Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card as well as the Arizona Department of Education Certificate as soon as possible. Arizona Department of Education Website http://www.azed.gov/.  AZ Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card info:  AZDPS Fingerprint Clearance Card Info.

LETTER OF INTENT:  If you choose to apply, but have not yet met the certification criteria as outlined above, your application may still be considered. If you are recommended for a position, you may be offered a “Letter of Intent to Recommend for a Contract” notification. Please note that a Letter of Intent is not a binding offer of employment and no employment contract between you and the District exists until such time as the District Governing Board approves the issuance of an employment contract at a public meeting.  The Intent to Hire remains in effect until all certification requirements are met. (Deadline to meet all requirements: June 30, 2026). Should you not meet this deadline, administrators will be given the option to re-post the position to interview more candidates OR request an extension of the deadline date. Note:  All who apply will automatically be put into "qualified" status to allow the site administrator the ability to review your application immediately.   Therefore, you will not receive any verification email from HR, advising your application has been pushed through.   

Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Relocating to Flagstaff:
https://www.flagstaffchamber.com/flagstaff/relocating-to-flagstaff/