Special Education Teacher - Students with Cognitive Impairments (K-5), Full Time, Exempt Position

POSITION - Special Education Teacher - Students with Cognitive Impairments (K-5), Full Time, Exempt Position

START DATE -  Beginning of the 2026-2027 School Year

LOCATION  -  Pattengill Elementary School

SALARY - Compensation will be based on the applicable provisions of the BEA Teacher Salary Schedule.

POSITION SUMMARY

Berkley School District is seeking a dynamic and student-centered Special Education Teacher to support elementary students with Cognitive Impairments in grades K-5. The successful candidate will foster a positive, structured, and inclusive learning environment while maintaining high expectations for student achievement, independence, and social-emotional growth. This individual will work collaboratively with families, paraeducators, related service providers, and school staff to ensure students receive individualized instruction and supports aligned to their educational needs and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must possess:

1. A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
2. A valid Michigan Teaching Certificate.
3. A Cognitive Impairment (SA) endorsement preferred; candidates with other Special Education endorsements may also be considered.
4. Knowledge of and experience implementing:
   • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
   • Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
   • Behavior Intervention/Support Plans
5. Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and technology skills.
6. The ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary educational team.
7. Experience supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Special Education Teacher will:

1. Provide individualized, small-group, and whole-class instruction utilizing a variety of evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions.
2. Deliver instruction aligned to district curriculum standards and student IEP goals and objectives.
3. Establish, implement, and maintain a PBIS-aligned classroom management system that promotes a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
4. Assess student performance and collect ongoing progress-monitoring data to document progress toward IEP goals and instructional outcomes.
5. Effectively supervise, support, and direct paraeducators working with students in both general education and special education settings.
6. Collaborate and communicate regularly with multidisciplinary team members, including administrators, school social workers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other service providers.
7. Maintain open and consistent communication with families regarding student progress, behavior, and educational programming through conferences, meetings, phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
8. Develop, facilitate, and participate in IEP meetings and complete all related documentation in compliance with district, state, and federal requirements.
9. Prepare instructional materials, lesson plans, classroom resources, and adaptive supports necessary to meet student needs.
10. Monitor and support student behavior and safety in classroom, school, and community-based settings as appropriate.
11. Implement student medical care plans and procedures when required.
12. Assist students with personal care needs, including toileting and/or diapering, as necessary.
13. Perform additional duties as assigned by administration.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Until Filled

District Vision
Our inclusive culture will inspire, empower and lead all learners to realize their full potential and make a positive difference in their future and community.

Commitment

The Berkley School District is committed to keeping diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of its goal of creating an environment where all staff, students and community members feel a sense of belonging.

Per School Safety Legislation, each individual, who is either employed full-time or part-time, or is assigned to regularly and continuously work under contract, shall be fingerprinted for the purpose of performing a criminal history background check.  Prior to employment, the candidate selected must complete the fingerprinting process at the applicant's expense.

Berkley School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, height, weight or any disability in its educational programs, activities or employment as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973