*This position is for the 2025-2026 School Year.  This position requires a Cross Categorical Special Education Teaching Certificate*

Per Board policy GCBA, a maximum of 21 years of experience (with proper certification) may be transferred from another elementary or secondary accredited system. The highest step a teacher may enter the district at is step 22 of the salary schedule.

K-12 Special Education Teacher Job Description

CLASSIFICATION: Certified

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Valid Missouri Teacher’s certificate and appropriate content area/grade level certification
2. Master’s in related content area preferred, but not required
3. Criminal justice fingerprint and background clearance
4. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board and/or Superintendent may find appropriate

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Director of Special Education

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

1. Respect for the uniqueness of each individual learner.
2. Ability to meet the individual needs of each student to allow for growth and development.
3. Ability to convey information to students through written and verbal communications.
4. Ability to encourage student ownership of learning and appropriate social and emotional skills.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the school Principal and Director of Special Education, the special education teacher plans and provides for appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings. The person in this position is responsible for creating a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized instruction for students with disabilities, such that the students benefit from the general education curriculum to the greatest extent possible when supported with supplemental aides, accommodations, and other needed supports.

REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Creates relevant, engaging, and personalized learning experiences for each student
2. Develops opportunities for students to take ownership and control of their learning
3. Can work in a technology rich environment (Google Apps for Education and Chromebooks)
4. Understands how to use data to drive student learning
5. Experience and knowledge of standards-based learning/grading
6. Experience engaging students in assessments and activities that requiring critical thinking
7. Teaches district approved curriculum and adheres to adopted Board of Education policies
8. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with students, staff and community
9. Communicates clearly both verbally and in writing
10. Learns and implements strategies to instruct students in higher and more challenging levels of learning
11. Integrates technology consistently to enhance student learning opportunities
12. Organizes and prioritizes educator workload to best meet the needs of students
13. Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere
14. Evaluates students’ academic and social growth and keeps appropriate records of student learning
15. Identifies student needs, makes appropriate referrals and works with special education staff to develop IEPs
16. Works well as a team member to serve all constituencies
17. Adheres to and follows all deadlines and requirements as presented by administration/state/federal law
18. Attends all meetings as requested by building and district administration
19. Maintains strict confidentiality as required by law
20. Develops a professional development plan annually and commits to lifelong learning and growth
21. Provides direct and indirect instructional support to students in a positive environment
22. Employs special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory
23. Instructs students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques such as phonetics, multi-sensory learning, and repetition to reinforce learning and to meet students' varying needs and interests
24. Teaches socially acceptable behavior, as determined by the students’ individualized education programs (IEPs) by employing techniques in an overall positive behavioral support system
25. Modifies the general education curriculum for students with disabilities based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies as guided through modifications and accommodations
26. Plans and conducts activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate
27. Establishes and enforces rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students
28. Meets with parents to discuss their child's progress and to determine priorities for their child and their individualized educational needs
29. Confers with parents, administrators, school psychological examiners, counselors, and other professionals to develop individualized education programs (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social/emotional development
30. Maintains accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations
31. Establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students
32. Develops plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students in inclusive classroom settings
33. Provides crisis intervention, as needed, for students and those in inclusive classrooms
34. Assists in collection of data for providing appropriate classroom interventions
35. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary team as appropriate

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Board approved academic calendar with applicable health and life insurance. Salary to be 

established by the Board of Education.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of certified personnel.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND VISUAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit. Additionally, the employee may occasionally be required to push or lift up to 50 lbs as necessary for the safety and well-being of others. Lastly, this job requires the employee to have the vision ability to read handwritten or typed materials, and meet multiple demands from several people while interacting with other staff and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 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.

JOB DUTIES: The most significant duties of this position have been included in this job description. However, this job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties performed. In addition, the District may modify this position as needed to reflect the assignment of additional or supplemental duties assigned. Employees are expected to perform all assigned duties regardless of whether such duties appear in this job description.

Revised: April 26, 2016