Early Childhood Special Education Universal Preschool Teacher

Starting Date: Aug 10, 2026

Johnston Community School District JELA – Johnston, Iowa

Salary: $53,832 to $93,657 per year

Terms of Employment: 194‑day contract

• Valid Iowa teaching license with PK‑3 Teacher Regular Education/Special Education, or PK‑3 Birth through grade 3 Inclusive Settings endorsement required.
• Previous special education teaching experience preferred.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff.
• Projects a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community.
• Promotes a positive image of the Johnston Schools.
• Respects differing points of view.
• Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups.
• Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations.
• Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner.

• Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students.
• Contributes to creating a positive work environment.
• Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality.
• Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day.
• Takes advantage of professional growth opportunities related to his/her specific job.
• Works independently and with confidence.
• Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations.
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision.

• Teaching to local curriculum standards
  • Curriculum is presented from whole to part with an emphasis on what students should know and be able to do.
  • Communicates learning goals to students and parents.
  • Incorporates, on a regular basis, activities for students which require applications of learning.
• Creates a classroom environment that promotes learning
  • Establishes fair and appropriate classroom rules.
  • Corrects inappropriate behavior in an appropriate and timely manner.
  • Reinforces positive behaviors.
  • Consistent in expectations concerning student behaviors.
  • Establishes and maintains rapport with students.
• Demonstrates appropriate instructional preparation
  • Uses knowledge of students to design educational experiences.
  • Has materials prepared prior to the beginning of class.
  • Lessons align with the district standards and assessments.
  • Designs lessons that are appropriate to age level and student interest.
  • Lesson design is logical and provides for a clearly understood flow of learning.
  • Designs educational experiences that utilize district provided technologies.
• Uses effective instructional techniques
  • Uses instructional time effectively.
  • Both group and individual instruction are used on a regular basis with limited use of large group lecture.
  • Employs a variety of instructional techniques and strategies including multi‑sensory approaches, appropriate questioning and modelling, role playing, self‑teaching and activity‑based learning.
  • Utilizes a variety of instructional resources outside of the textbook.
  • Classroom technology is an integrated part of the teaching and learning process.
  • Modifies lesson plans and instructional techniques as required by student learning needs.
  • Instructional techniques provide all students the opportunity to learn.
  • Instruction is free of cultural, religious, ethnic or gender bias.
  • Responds in a positive and constructive manner to student questions.
  • Provides students with opportunities for success.
  • Models and promotes honesty, respect for people and property, responsibility for personal and group actions, personal integrity and the value of hard work.
• Uses effective assessment strategies
  • Assessments directly relate to core curricular concepts and are an integral part of teaching and learning.
  • Assessment of student progress includes both traditional and alternative assessment measures.
  • Assessment is interwoven with learning and occurs on an ongoing basis; assessment…