Special Education Teacher Self Contained

Position Details

• Position Type:
  Student Support Services / Special Education Teacher Self‑Contained
• Date Posted: 11/19/2025
• Location:
  
  Gladys Wood Elementary
• District:
  Anchorage School District
• Bargaining Unit: AEA
• Work Year: 182 days, 12 contract payments
• FTE:
  Full time, 1.0 FTE
• Salary: B00/00 – B72/20 ($56,823 – $100,155) DOE
• Additional 6% annual salary increase

Special Education teachers plan and provide learning experiences for students with disabilities, including cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities, in a variety of educational settings. They create a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized instruction, establish effective rapport with students, and may modify general education curriculum to meet students’ needs with supplemental aides, accommodations, and other needed supports. Teachers build good relationships with parents and other staff and report to and are evaluated by the site principal.

• A valid Alaska initial, professional, or master teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education.
• Evidence of content knowledge shown by:
  • Degree or minor in the content area of the position
  • Passing Praxis Subject Assessment scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area
  • Endorsement in the content area
• Educators teaching Kindergarten‑through‑3rd grade must meet requirements for the Alaska Reads Act.

Preferred

• Evidence of experience working with special education students.
• Experience supporting the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs of special education students in a public school setting.

• Describe educational philosophy and demonstrate its relationship to practice.
• Understand how students learn and develop, and apply that knowledge in practice.
• Establish and maintain standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
• Organize class time for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, work time, and assessment.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
• Teach students with respect for their individual and cultural characteristics.
• Know the teacher’s content area and how to teach it.
• Develop lesson plans and instructional materials, and provide individualized and small‑group instruction to adapt the curriculum to student needs.
• Translate lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Use current technology to enhance instruction and for record‑keeping and research.
• Apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional programs.
• Facilitate, monitor, and assess student learning.
• Evaluate pupils’ academic and social growth, keep appropriate records, and prepare progress reports.
• Identify pupil needs, make appropriate referrals, and develop strategies for individual education plans.
• Create and maintain a learning environment that actively engages all students.
• Create classrooms conducive to learning and appropriate to students’ maturity and interests.
• Use functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibit students’ work.
• Supervise student environment, students, and volunteers.
• Partner with parents, families, and the community.
• Communicate regularly with parents via newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Participate and contribute to the teaching profession.

The job requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking, and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee regularly reaches with hands and arms and sometimes lifts items weighing less than 40 lbs. The employee must understand vague or implicit instructions, recall facts, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must manage the stress of working with students, parents, and diverse colleagues in a dynamic environment.

Work is performed in a professional setting with diverse individuals and functions. Exposure to video displays and outdoor weather conditions may occur. Noise levels are usually moderate.

This job description does not list all duties; employees may be required to follow additional instructions and perform other duties as directed by authorized personnel.

Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must read and write in English, communicate in English with staff and the public, and comprehend oral and written directions.

Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory criminal background checks. For certificated positions, background checks are also conducted through the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).

The position may require work in ASD facilities on military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL  for additional information.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.