2025 - 2026 Virtual Academy Special Education Teacher

• Salary range is subject to pending contract negotiations. The 2024-2025 salary ranges are listed for reference.

Position Purpose: Responsible for facilitating learning for students on IEPs at all grade levels (K-12) for Virtual Academy students; instructing, assessing, and program planning for students; monitoring and evaluating student progress and behavior; researching, obtaining, and providing instructional materials for special education services; serving as a resource for students, parents, and district personnel. Virtual Academy teachers are expected to perform the duties and responsibilities of their job within the established school day and are expected to be available to administration, staff, students, and parents during that time. This position reports to the Virtual Academy principal.


Responsibilities:
1. Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Assessment: : Research and implement district virtual curriculum to establish an instructional/learning environment for students. Fargo Public School District Virtual Academy students use technology to gain academic success.
Examples of this work include:

• Writing and updating student IEPs in collaboration with the IEP team to meet the unique needs of students learning in the virtual setting.
• Develop specially designed programming to support students’ IEPs and meet their educational needs.
• Provide direct instruction to students in areas as determined in the IEP.
• Maintain a strong instructional focus utilizing the elements of effective technology-based instruction; monitors student progress with formative assessments and use results to differentiate instruction.
• Administer a variety of evaluative tools (e.g., developmental testing programs, subject specific assessments, etc.) for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and developing individual learning plans.
• Evaluate pupils’ academic and social growth, keep appropriate and accurate records and prepare progress reports using district-approved software and programs, and as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Maintain documents, files, and records (e.g., grades, IEPs) for the purpose of providing up-to-date information and historical references in accordance with established guidelines and legal requirements. Maintains records and reports regarding pupil progress in a timely manner.
• Address various learning styles and instruction in a virtual setting; differentiate and adapt instruction to meet the needs of all students; appropriately recognizing and reinforcing individual student effort.
• Sequence content at an appropriate pace.
• Use appropriate level of questioning to promote understanding.
• Relate lesson content to prior and future learning.
• Require students to summarize information in written and/or verbal form.
• Represent knowledge/information non-linguistically through a variety of methods.
• Organize students in cooperative or ability groups when appropriate.
• Create instructional tasks that are meaningful and related to learning goals; require students to analyze and apply knowledge.
• Supervises paraeducators (e.g., training, scheduling, support, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring performance and ensuring standards are achieved.
• Collaborates with parents, instructional staff, other school personnel (e.g., speech pathologist, school psychologist) for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes and achieving student educational plan objectives.

2. Virtual Classroom Environment and Management: Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students.
Examples of this work include:

• Be well-organized and knowledgeable of all materials to support students in the Virtual Academy.
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere that is consistent with the philosophy of the Virtual Academy.
• Creates an environment for learning conducive to online learning through functional and attractive displays interest centers and exhibits of student work (where possible).
• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior in collaboration with the Virtual Academy principal to help ensure safety and a positive school climate.

3. Student and Family Engagement: Develop and maintain academics relationships with students and their guardians.
Examples of this work include:

• Communicate a high level of expectation and clear learning goals to students and families.
• Communicate regularly with parents outside the normal classroom day by means of emails, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Inform legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations, student achievements, developing methods for improvement, and reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Coordinate and communicate notice of meetings (e.g., prior written notices, profile meetings, IWARs, 3-year evaluations, etc.).

4. Other duties as assigned: General support and professional development.
Examples of this work include:

• Participate in a variety of meetings (e.g., IEP meetings, staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences); participate in all mandatory training or training appropriate to the position.
• Provide general student supervision as needed.
• Maintains knowledge of current education policy trends including extensive knowledge of comprehensive assessment systems and evidence-based practices; promote the education profession.
• Contributes to the implementation of special projects when assigned..

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education
• North Dakota teaching license (or ability to obtain prior to the start date with special education endorsement)
• Two years of successful teaching experience
• Previous instructor experience in a virtual setting
• High interest in serving students with complex needs (cognitive, communicative, adaptive, behavioral, academic, social/emotional)
• Strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and creativity
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficient in Google and overall aptitude with technology
• Intermediate level competency in software to be used and taught within the education program. This includes, but is not limited to video-conferencing software (Teams), virtual classroom application (Canvas), online academic software/applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising paraeducators/paraprofessionals
• Special Education endorsement in one or more of the following areas: autism spectrum, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities

This position reports to the School Principal.

Physical Requirements:
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Work is performed primarily indoors, occasionally outdoors.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty required of the position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar level of difficulty.


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Application Procedures All applications for open Fargo Public Schools positions must be made via www.applitrack.com/fargo/onlineapp. Paper submissions will not be accepted. Application materials must clearly explain how experience and education are related to the minimum qualifications and job duties. Applicants for administrative, teaching, professional and other certified staff positions will need to attach: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume/CV 3) Three (3) Letters of Reference 4) Complete transcripts for each degree from the institutions conferring the degrees. In addition, Teacher Applicants will need to attach: Current teaching license.

Job postings will be closed for applications at 8:00 AM Central Standard Time (CST) on the closing date listed in the posting.

Applicants who are residents of ND and eligible to claim veteran's preference must upload a Form DD214. Claims for disabled veteran's preference must include a current statement of disabled status from the Veterans Affairs Office.

For more information or questions please call 701-446-1000 or email humanresources@fargo.k12.nd.us.


Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is dedicated to fostering an educational environment rooted in inclusivity and academic freedom. Our FPS Philosophies https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/about-us/fps-philosophies articulate our commitment to these principles, guiding our practices to ensure every student's success. We invite candidates to thoroughly review our FPS Philosophies as they reflect the foundational values and expectations for all FPS employees. By applying, candidates express their commitment to embracing and upholding these philosophies in their professional practice, contributing to a culture of excellence and inclusivity within our schools.

The Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other status protected by law.