Special Education Teacher Grades K-4 Life Skills​/Self-Contained

Special Education Teacher, Grades K-4 Life Skills/Self-Contained (26-27 School Year)

Fort Osage School District – Indian Trails Elementary, Independence, Missouri.

Position Type: Full‑Time Salary: $45,200 per year.

The Fort Osage School District offers a competitive salary schedule, optional fully paid health insurance, extra‑duty stipend opportunities, and a new‑teacher mentor program for first and second‑year teachers.

Role Overview

The teacher supports the instructional process by developing student success in academics and skills, supervising students, delivering group and individual instruction, collaborating with other staff and administrators, and maintaining open communication with parents or guardians.

Essential Functions

• Adapt classroom work and instructional strategies to meet individualized learning plans and established lesson plans.
• Administer subject‑specific assessments and tests to evaluate students’ competencies.
• Assess student progress toward standards, expectations, and goals; provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to implement curriculum and individual student plans, ensuring success of assigned students.
• Collaborate with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and community resource organizations to improve student outcomes and support the school improvement plan.
• Counsel students to improve performance, attendance, problem‑solving skills, and address personal issues.
• Demonstrate instructional methods for classroom and subject‑specific assignments to support individual student success.
• Develop and implement behavior plans to create a safe learning environment.
• Direct assistant teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, instructional assistants, volunteers, and student workers to provide an effective classroom program and address individual student needs.
• Instruct students and/or provide lesson plans for substitutes to enhance academic success.
• Maintain open communication with students, parents, and guardians regarding progress, expectations, and concerns.
• Maintain formal and informal data for all students to ensure accurate records.
• Monitor students in classrooms, playgrounds, field trips, and professional development workshops to maintain a safe environment.
• Participate in meetings and professional development workshops to convey and gather required information.
• Prepare written materials with other staff to provide feedback, document progress, and meet mandated requirements.
• Report incidents (e.g., fights, suspected child or substance abuse) to maintain student safety and adhere to laws and school policies.
• Respond to emergency situations, resolving safety concerns and directing issues to appropriate personnel.
• Respond to inquiries from teachers, parents, and administrators to resolve issues and provide information.

Qualifications

• Valid Missouri Certification in Mild/Moderate Special Education.
• Citizenship, residency, or valid work visa required.
• Background clearance:
  Criminal Background Check and Family Care Registry.
• Physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; fine‑finger dexterity. Typical duties involve 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing in a generally hazard‑free environment.
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt.

Contact Information

• Dr. Leigh Gruber, Executive Director, Student Support Services – Phone: 816‑650‑7015 – Email:
• Principal Avanti McDowell – Phone: 816‑650‑7645
• Human Resources Department – Phone: 816‑650‑7004