Special Education Preschool Teacher

Special Education Preschool Teacher

Under the supervision of the Preschool Director, the Special Education Preschool Teacher provides specialized instruction and support to preschool-aged children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs in an inclusive early childhood setting. The teacher establishes and maintains a safe, healthy, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports children's physical, cognitive, social-emotional, language, and adaptive development.

The Special Education Preschool Teacher collaborates closely with families, therapists, specialists, and preschool staff to implement individualized support and ensure each child has equitable access to learning opportunities. The teacher uses developmentally appropriate practices, positive behavior support strategies, and individualized instruction to foster growth, independence, and inclusion.

• Assessment & Documentation
• Instruction & Client Development
• Family & Team Collaboration
• Classroom Environment & Supervision

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development.
• Education Specialist Instruction Credential – Early Childhood Special Education or valid California Special Education Teaching Credential with Early Childhood Special Education authorization.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children with developmental delays, disabilities, or special needs.
• Knowledge of child development, inclusion practices, IEPs/IFSPs, behavior support strategies, and differentiated instruction.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Patience, flexibility, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.
• Bilingual Spanish a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Must complete 21 hours of professional growth training annually.
• Possession of current pediatric CPR and pediatric First Aid certification upon hire.
• Health screening with evidence of a negative TB test within one year prior to employment, or must obtain one within seven days of employment.
• Must obtain criminal record clearance from the Department of Justice.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In general, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is expected to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms;

and talk or hear. Must be able to lift and carry a small child (up to 50 lbs.) as needed/ in the event of an emergency. Other physical demands include sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling, twisting, grasping, fine manipulation, pushing/pulling, reaching, stooping, using smell and touch, working outside and vision and hearing.

St. Mary's Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer St. Mary's Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active Equal Employment Opportunity. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

In compliance with the California Fair Chance Act, St. Mary's Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if St.

Mary's Center is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.