Honokaa Elementary: Preschool Special Education Teacher

Honoka'a Elementary School is seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and adaptable Pre‑K Special Education Teacher to join our 'ohana. In this role, you will provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for our youngest learners (ages 3–5) with diverse developmental needs. You will be responsible for designing and implementing individualized instruction that fosters cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth, ensuring every child has a strong foundation for their educational journey.

• Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each student’s unique strengths and challenges.
• Create a safe, structured, and engaging “learning through play” environment that accommodates various learning styles and sensory needs.
• Conduct ongoing formal and informal assessments to track student progress and adjust instructional strategies accordingly.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including Speech‑Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Educational Assistants, and General Education teachers.
• Maintain regular, empathetic communication with parents and guardians to support carry‑over of skills at home and ensure a cohesive support system.
• Ensure all documentation, including IEPs, progress reports, and behavioral data, meets federal (IDEA) and state guidelines.

• Valid Special Education license from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (preferred).
• Special education classroom experience in a PK‑2 school setting (desired).
• Experience planning and facilitating IEP meetings and exercising independent professional judgment while maintaining effectiveness under pressure and working well with others (desired).
• Bachelor’s degree (minimum required, except for designated CTE positions).

Upon hire, candidates must possess a valid Hawaii teaching license or Emergency Hire Permit. If the teacher does not have a completed Teacher’s Education Program, they have a maximum of three years to obtain a valid Hawaii teaching license and must enroll in a program aligned with the teaching line. Within each year, they must demonstrate active pursuit of meeting Hawaii licensing requirements as set forth by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

For information on bonuses, differentials, and initial salary placement, please review the eligibility requirements designed by the Department. For more information about this school, please visit our website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991.

The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation and on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first three pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.