Special Education Teacher - Mild Cognitive Impairmant

Niles Community Schools

Special Education Teacher - Mild Cognitive Impairment

6/20/25

Full-time position for the 25-26  school year 

Reports to: High School Principal and Special Education Administrator (or designee)

Niles Community Schools is looking for a dynamic Special Education Teacher - Mild Cognitive Impairment. Highly-effective communication skills and professionalism required for daily interaction with a diverse workforce, student population, building administration and community.  We are looking for someone to create an appropriate learning environment, provide specialized instruction and educational programming for students with disabilities. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with cognitive impairments (SA) endorsement
• Meet the highly qualified standards set forth by the State of Michigan

Essential Duties (non-prioritized):

• Utilize a variety of research-based intervention strategies, continually assessing student response to intervention and make modifications as needed to ensure all students are successful
• Act as a case coordinator by preparing for, participating in, and ensuring IEP implementation according to the school process
• Monitor and document student progress on IEP goals
• Assist students in acquiring daily living skills
• Assist students in acquiring functional math and ELA skills 
• Ability to align student goals and objectives with district and state standards
• Competent using a variety of technology applications related to both classroom management and the instructional process
• Must be knowledgeable in High Leverage Practices and Evidence Based Practices 
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of individual students
• Provide opportunities for students to develop employability skills and work-related behaviors
• Manage and instruct students on appropriate behavior using positive behavior support strategies consistent with Board policy and procedures
• Comply with Medicaid billing procedures when necessary
• Manage a safe, comfortable learning environment
• Assist students in meeting self-help, health and behavior needs including toileting and personal care needs
• Maintain accurate and timely records, including collecting and recording data relative to student performance on  individual goals and objectives 
• Conduct required formal and informal evaluations to measure students’ progress
• Comply with state and district policy on the use of seclusion and restraint
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with students, parents, administrators, school personnel and agency representatives 
• Comply with all Michigan and Federal Special Education law/requirements
• Follows established policies/procedures regarding student medical concerns, safety, student rights, emergency/disaster plans, etc.
• Develop a schedule to maximize instructional time and lesson plans which reflect individual student goals
• Evaluate and order instructional materials needed to provide quality programming
• Promote self-advocacy with secondary students through involvement in the IEP/ITP process
• Other duties as assigned

Other Qualifications:

• Proven successful experience in working with students with disabilities
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies. 
• Professional dress is required for this position. Blue jeans, sweat pants, and camo are generally not acceptable dress for the classroom.  
• CPR trained preferred
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) preferred

Physical Demands: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to maintain composure and function effectively in a noisy, fast-moving environment and assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of students in that environment. The employee engages in physical management with students in order to maintain a safe environment for students and others.

Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes") in its educational programs or activities. The Niles Community Schools Board of Education complies with all federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination.  Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, or national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (gender) or compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability) may be directed to the Director of Personnel, compliance.officer@nilesschools or 269.683.6662; all at 1Tyler Street, Niles, MI  49120.