Teacher - Special Education - Skills

Orchard Farm School District is seeking a certified elementary Special Education teacher to join our Two Rivers Elementary team for the  school year!

The Essential Skills Teacher provides individualized, specialized instruction for students with cognitive and developmental delays, including students who are neurodivergent, aligned with the Missouri's Alternative Learning Standards. Instruction is designed around each student’s strengths, interests, and needs to promote meaningful engagement and progress while ensuring appropriate access and participation in grade-level curriculum established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and district standards.

This teacher will lead a structured, supportive classroom that fosters independence, communication, adaptive skills, social connection, and self-regulation. This teacher will carry out positive behavior support that create an inclusive learning environment where students are valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Salary is based from yearsof experience according to the policy.

• Bachelor degree or higher
• Appropriate Missouri Teaching Certificate with special education endorsements
• Knowledge of state standards, federal and state regulations and law
• Knowledge of subject matter content and assessment strategies
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction
• Ability to relate to students, staff, and parents in a positive manner
• Ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written form
• Ability to follow written and oral communication
• Ability to problem solve

• Createa classroom environment that accommodates students with cognitive and developmental disabilities, supports learning, and enhances emotional and social development.
• Lead a team of paraprofessionals to carry out the Individualized Instruction Plans (IEPs) for students with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
• Plan and provide individualized academic instruction aligned to the Alternative Missouri Learning Standards and students' individual needs.
• Plan and implement behavioral interventions aligned with best practice and the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support students with complex communication, sensory, social, and behavioral regulation needs.
• Collaborate with the district Behavior Specialist, related service providers, and all other applicable team members.
• Evaluate the progress of each student by conducting observations, data analysis and/or review written reports from the team.
• Assist with crisis prevention (CPI) techniques when trained and applicable to the educational setting.
• Implement research-based intervention strategies and curriculum resources.
• Manage Paraprofessionals.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing behavior modification techniques such as positive reinforcement and social stories, following individual positive behavior support plans, following IEP, and supporting Social Emotional Behavioral goals
• Provide instructional support in one-on-one or small group settings in the Special Education classroom.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other legal documentation for special education students.
• Work with parents, staff, counselors, and general education teachers to develop, implement, and maintain Individual Education Programs (IEP) for each student that meet their individual needs, interests, and abilities.
• Establish and enforce structure and routines for students and paraprofessionals that promote consistently high expectations.
• Prepare formal and informal observations of students; also responsible for interpretation of diagnostic evaluations and the development of diagnostic reports.
• Administer alternative state assessments (MAP-A).
• Connect families to outside agencies such as the Department of Mental Health, Community Living, Easter Seals, etc for community support.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships by actively communicating with the parents, involving them in their child’s education.

• Participate in faculty and professional meetings, educational…