Early Childhood (Ages 3 to 5) Special Education Teacher - 0.5 FTE Job Sioux Falls area,South Dakota USA,Education / Teaching

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher will provide individualized education and support for young children aged 3 to 5, fostering an inclusive learning environment that promotes growth in cognitive, social‑emotional, communication, adaptive, and motor skills.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Planning & Implementation

Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to meet each child's developmental and educational goals.
Design and deliver developmentally appropriate, engaging, and differentiated instruction across core domains.
Incorporate play‑based, sensory‑rich, and hands‑on learning experiences aligned with early childhood best practices.
Possess excellent oral and written communication skills, along with strong interpersonal abilities in human relations, leadership, and conflict resolution.

Assessment & Progress Monitoring

Conduct formal and informal assessments to evaluate student needs and measure progress toward IEP goals.
Maintain accurate records and provide regular progress reports to families and related service providers.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Work closely with general education teachers, therapists (OT, PT, SLP), paraprofessionals, and other support staff to support inclusive practices.
Facilitate parent‑teacher conferences and actively engage families in their child's education and development.
Support non‑certified special education teachers through coaching and modeling of best practices.

Classroom Management & Environment

Create a structured, supportive, and nurturing classroom environment that is safe, accessible, and conducive to learning.
Use positive behavior support strategies to foster social‑emotional development and address behavioral challenges.

Compliance & Professional Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local special education laws and regulations, including IDEA.
Participate in professional development opportunities and maintain required licensure and certifications.
Train in assessment practices and skilled in interpreting evaluation data to inform instructional planning and decision‑making.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree and endorsements in teaching;
South Dakota teaching certificate and early childhood special education endorsement required.
Experience:

Successful student teaching.
Physical:
Typical early childhood classroom or integrated preschool setting; may involve lifting, toileting, and physical assistance for children with mobility needs.
Other:
Demonstrates effective and inclusive teaching strategies; proficient in computer applications; well‑versed in IEP process and special education laws.
Background Check:
Comprehensive background check including state and FBI criminal history check with fingerprinting, sex offender registry check, and child abuse and neglect registry check. All components must be completed prior to the start of employment and repeated every five years thereafter.

Essential Certifications

Valid South Dakota teaching certification with Early Childhood SPED Birth through Grade Three endorsement.

Training Requirements

South Dakota Codified Law 13‑42‑71 requires certified educators to complete at least one hour of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training every five years. Provide the most recent completion certificate prior to starting employment.

Compensation

Starting at $53,981 to $60,793 per year (1.0 FTE), based on experience.

0.5 FTE starting salary range: $26,990.50 to $30,396.50.

Hours & FTE

Monday through Friday, hours to be determined.

0.5 FTE: 20 hours per week, 9 months.

Benefits

Benefits are available for positions with 20 hours per week or more.

Application Notes

All current district employees must complete an application.
Post‑Offer criminal background check required.

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