Middle School Special Education

Ballard Community School District, a district with approximately 1700 students located minutes from Ames and the Des Moines metro, has teaching opportunities available for the 2025-2026 school year. Teaching positions have 190-day contracts. Current year salary and benefit information is available on the Ballard website at http://www.ballard.k12.ia.us/ under the District Information menu on the Human Resources page.

Basic Function: Under the general supervision of the Building Principal, to facilitate student success and growth in academic and interpersonal skills through implementing district-approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; addressing specific educational needs of individual students and by creating a flexible, safe and optimal learning environment; and providing feedback to students, parents, and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and administers curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small-group instruction, and student learning.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual small group instruction as needed.
• Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as administrative regulations and procedures of the District.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement, and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Coordinates with other school professional staff members, especially within grade level and specific subjects, to evaluate and assess curriculum, and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
• Supervises students in activities that take place out of the classroom during the school day, including activities involving school transportation.
• Administers standardized tests in accordance with district testing programs.
• Understanding of the elements of a PLC and an ability to apply that understanding to a team situation
• Understanding of and experience in using multiple teaching methods: co-teaching, whole group/small group/individualized instruction
• Commitment to differentiated instruction
• Desire for growth is evident through personal and professional goals and willingness to collaborate with the instructional coach and building/district expectations
• Knowledgeable in current research and evidence-based instructional practices
• Understanding of how to utilize formative assessment data to adapt to the individual needs of students of all ability levels
• Knowledge of various assessment types and their purposes in decision-making
• Flexible, highly motivated, and enthusiastic about working with children
• Prepare for and participate in parent-teacher conferences.
• Maintain a safe, neat, attractive, and interesting classroom.
• Accept responsibility for the proper care of books, apparatus, furniture, supplies, and equipment in the classroom or assigned areas.
• Abide by and enforce all applicable laws relating to diversity.
• Evidence of effective routines and procedures that lead to a positive classroom environment that promotes student achievement.
• Attend staff meetings, participate in professional development activities, and serve on committees as assigned by the administration or Board of Education.
• Articulate in oral and written communications with colleagues, administrators, parents, families, and community
• Knowledge of and experience with using current technology to enhance learning
• Knowledge of and experience in implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Maintain high integrity and confidentiality in the school operation.
• Be knowledgeable of and abide by all school board policies, procedures, and other applicable laws.
• Cooperate with and work in a courteous manner with co-workers and other personnel.
• Dress appropriately for the position and work required.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward school, students, and job and communicate the same to the community.
• Accept constructive criticism and suggestions and seek to improve each performance responsibility.
• Demonstrate organization and professionalism in fulfilling the responsibilities of the job.
• Greet all students, faculty, staff, and visitors courteously
• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary packages
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
• Employer-paid individual health/major medical insurance plan including Prescription Drug (RX) Coverage
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid group life insurance
• Employer contribution to dental insurance
• Flexible spending account (American Fidelity)
• Dependent care account (American Fidelity)
• Paid personal illness and personal business days
• Voluntary Benefits, including
  • Delta Dental
  • Delta Vision
  • American Fidelity
  • AFLAC
• 403b/Tax Sheltered Annuities with the State of Iowa Retirement Investor's Club (RIC)
• Salary direct deposits
• Credit on salary schedules for previous experience
• Smoke-free buildings and grounds