K-2 Special Education Teacher Strat

• Position Type:
  Elementary School Teaching/ Special Education
• Date Posted: 6/4/2026

Ballard Community School District, a district with approximately 1700 students located minutes from Ames and the Des Moines metro, is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher for the  school year. Teaching positions have 190-day contracts. Current year salary and benefit information is available on the Ballard website .ia.us under the District Information menu on the Human Resources page.

The teacher provides support for students, across a range of educational settings, whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in the current educational environment. Planning and implementing effective individualized instruction for students needing academic and cognitive based support for self-regulation will be a programming priority. The overall programming goal is to enhance each student's ability to utilize cognitive based strategies in order to transition to a less restrictive environment through an effective integration of emotional, behavior and instructional interventions.

Basic Function:
Under the general supervision of the Building Principal, to facilitate student success and growth in academic and interpersonal skills through implementing district-approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; addressing specific educational needs of individual students and by creating a flexible, safe and optimal learning environment; and providing feedback to students, parents, and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

• Develops and administers curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small-group instruction, and student learning.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual small group instruction as needed.
• Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as administrative regulations and procedures of the District.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement, and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Coordinates with other school professional staff members, especially within grade level and specific subjects, to evaluate and assess curriculum, and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
• Supervises students in activities that take place out of the classroom during the school day, including activities involving school transportation.
• Administers standardized tests in accordance with district testing programs.
• Understanding of the elements of a PLC and an ability to apply that understanding to a team situation.
• Understanding of and experience in using multiple teaching methods: co‑teaching, whole group/small group/individualized instruction.
• Commitment to differentiated instruction.
• Desire for growth is evident through personal and professional goals and willingness to collaborate with the instructional coach and building/district expectations.
• Knowledgeable in current research and evidence‑based instructional practices.
• Understanding of how to utilize formative assessment data to adapt to the individual needs of students of all ability levels.
• Knowledge of various assessment types and their purposes in decision‑making.
• Flexible, highly motivated, and enthusiastic about working with…