Special Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

TEACHER-SPECIAL EDUCATION – This position is for the 2025-2026 school year.

Reports to:                  Building Principal
Department:                Teacher
Works with:                 Students and Other Staff
Job Summary:            Develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the academic, functional, and behavioral needs of students in an elementary special education setting; evaluates and assesses student academic, functional and behavioral progress; functions as IEP manager to assigned students; directs the work of paraprofessionals; collaborates with other service providers and educators. 

Duties/Responsibilities:
a) Advocate for the needs of the students with disabilities.
b) Teach District-approved curriculum daily, establishing clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, etc. and communicating these objectives to students.
c) Provide individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the daily needs of each pupil.
d) Assist students in establishing and maintaining standards of behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere daily by developing and implementing proactive and positive behavioral interventions based on FBA results.
e) Collaborate with general education teachers to plan and implement curriculum, state and district wide assessments.
f) Possess knowledge of technology strategies/equipment available to students and, when needed, provide strategy information to general education teachers.
g) Utilize conflict management strategies and resources for support when conflict occurs between staff and/or parents.
h) Maintain data as required to monitor and evaluate student progress and communicate regularly with parents of students regarding progress of their child.
i) Adhere to due process guidelines using district recommended methods and instruments to evaluate and identify the special education needs of students, participate in team decisions regarding eligibility, and facilitate evaluation plans and reports.
j) Serve as a case manager for students by: developing and maintaining IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, providing parents and/or guardians with Rights and Procedural Safeguards information and notification of team meetings in a timely manner, and developing and sharing progress reports with parents.
k) Sustain knowledge of and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
l) Maintain and promote confidentiality per data privacy, MN Government Data Practices Act, FERPA, and HIPPA legislation.
m) Other related duties as assigned.

 
Job Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree required.
• Teaching license is required; Special Education licensure preferred.
• Minimum 1 year successful educational and instructional experience in a public school setting preferred, but not required.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of students with special education needs.
• Knowledge of instructional design, curriculum and assessments for students with educational differences.
• Assessment and evaluation skills for individuals identifed with a disability.
• Knowledge of due process components associated with the development, implementation and monitoring of an IEP.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Knowledge and experience using varied computer applications and applied technology experience.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Training and experience in behavior management and knowledge of crisis response.

 
Physical Job Requirements:

• Employee is continuously required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel, talk, and hear; frequently sits, stoops, kneels and/or crouches, reach with hands and arms in the performance of the job.  Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.   The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
• The District 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.

Any questions about the position should be directed to Mary Holmberg, John Clark Elementary Principal at holmbergm@rocori.k12.mn.us.