Self-Contained Teacher - Elementary Special Education

About the Role:

The Self-Contained Teacher for Elementary Special Education plays a critical role in fostering the academic, social, and emotional development of students with diverse learning needs. This position involves designing and implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to each student's unique abilities and challenges, ensuring compliance with federal and state special education regulations. The teacher will create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes student engagement, independence, and growth. Collaboration with families, support staff, and other educators is essential to provide a holistic approach to each student's education. Ultimately, this role aims to empower students with special needs to achieve their fullest potential and prepare them for future academic and life success.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid state teaching certification in Special Education.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with elementary-aged students with disabilities in a self-contained classroom setting.
• Knowledge of federal and state special education laws, including IDEA and Section 504.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education or related discipline.
• Experience with assistive technology and adaptive instructional tools.
• Training in behavior management techniques such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Familiarity with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) frameworks.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student in the self-contained classroom.
• Deliver differentiated instruction that addresses the academic and developmental needs of students with disabilities.
• Assess student progress regularly and adjust teaching strategies to meet evolving needs and goals.
• Collaborate with parents, therapists, counselors, and other educational professionals to support student growth and well-being.
• Maintain accurate records of student performance, behavior, and communication in accordance with legal and district requirements.
• Create a safe, nurturing, and structured classroom environment that encourages positive behavior and social skills.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in special education.

Skills:

The required skill of Special Education is applied daily to design and deliver tailored instructional strategies that meet the unique learning profiles of each student. Effective communication skills are essential for collaborating with families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive support for students. Organizational skills are used to maintain detailed records and manage multiple IEPs simultaneously. Preferred skills such as knowledge of assistive technology enhance the ability to provide accessible learning experiences, while behavior management expertise supports a positive classroom environment. Together, these skills enable the teacher to create an inclusive, adaptive, and supportive educational setting that promotes student success.