Special Education Teacher, High School

POSITION: SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER – HIGH SCHOOL

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

FTE STATUS: 1.0

REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL/DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES

DATE: 6/26/2026

SUMMARY:

The Special Education Teacher creates and sustains a community of learners through the development of a positive classroom and school culture, by holding rigorous and high expectations for students and by utilizing quality instructional practices matched to student learning needs. The Special Education Teacher continuously improves their practice through professional learning and collaboration with peers. The Special Education Teacher supervises students, develops and delivers lessons, utilizes established curriculum and maintains high levels of communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress and wellbeing.

TEACHING PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commits to ongoing learning and the development of the craft of teaching for self; encourages, supports and mentors ongoing learning in students.
• Consistently promotes fairness, respect, and different viewpoints in all responsibilities
• Commits to high expectations for students, developing a vision of success for each student and moving that student towards its achievement.
• Commits to positive relationships and communication, promoting and modeling a safe and supportive learning culture for all.
• Commits to honoring all students, embracing their community and differences.
• Commits to establishing a learning environment that is accountable for effective instruction, assessment and data-driven decision-making.
• Commits to using community resources to improve instruction.
• Commits to collegiality and professionalism of self and staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creates, monitors, and maintains compliance with Individual Education Programs (IEP’s) and Behavioral intervention Plans.
• Coordinates and conducts IEP meetings with parents, students, and staff.
• Provides the most favorable learning environment for students with special needs using tools such as ongoing observation and behavior intervention planning.
• Fully, independently and accurately implement the requirements of IDEA and Michigan’s Special Education regulations.
• Provide educational observation and evaluation for students suspected of having a disability.
• Participate in Child Studies.
• Creates, implements, and submits appropriate lesson plans.
• Knowledge and/or understanding in consistent use of data to monitor student growth, inform instruction and develop interventions.
• Participates in professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.
• Participates in collegial conversations surrounding student achievement on a regular basis, influencing individual, grade, and/or department instruction based on collective examination of student performance.
• Teaches district-approved curriculum, as well as local and state standards, using contemporary thinking around best-practices and program-specific objectives.
• Plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students.
• Creates a positive, engaging classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriately responds to the maturity level and interest of the students.
• Encourages students to set and maintain high standards of classroom behavior. Proactively teaches appropriate behavior and expectations.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes and communicates clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and activities.
• Identifies and responds to the learning style of all students. Differentiates instruction to accommodate these styles.
• Evaluates the academic and social growth of students, keeps appropriate grading records in Power School on a weekly basis and prepares progress reports. Uses academic outcome information to inform curriculum and instructional decisions for all students.
• Communicates regularly with students, parents, families and administration in advocacy of student growth. Develops communication plans that adjust for varying levels of parent involvement and inclusion.
• Int…