Special Education Teacher

Position Type:

  Elementary School Teaching/Elementary Special Education

Date Posted:

  3/23/2025

Location:

 Big Creek Elementary

The North Polk Community School District is a progressive educational community located in the Des Moines metro area just north of Ankeny serving the communities of Alleman, Elkhart, Polk City, and Sheldahl. The District proudly serves over 2200 learners from preschool through 12th grade in five buildings (West Elementary, PK-2nd; Central Elementary, PK-5th, Big Creek Elementary, 3rd-5th; Middle School, 6th-8th; and High School, 9th-12th). 

Big Creek Elementary, located in Polk City, is seeking to hire a special education teacher.

Compensation:

Based on 24/25 salary schedule. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary with credit for previous experience
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
• Employer-paid individual health insurance plan (Wellmark) including prescription drug, long-term disability, group life, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• Paid sick and personal days
• Voluntary Benefits, including Supplemental Individual, Spouse, and Dependent Life Insurance
• 403b/Tax Sheltered Annuities with the State of Iowa Retirement Investors Club (RIC)

Position Criteria:  

• Required: Valid Iowa teaching license with K-8 Instructional Strategies I endorsement
• Good communication and problem solving skills.
• Self-directed.
• Enthusiastic about learning and committed to continuous development as an educator.

Instructional responsibilities:

• Provides direct instruction to students in individual, small group, and/or full classroom settings.
• Uses identified student needs to guide the learning process toward student achievement of district's core content standards.
• Establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects using formal and informal assessment data aligned to the Iowa Core and North Polk standards.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with core content standards and the needs/capabilities of individual students.
• Creates a classroom environment that is aligned to research-based instruction and conducive to learning as well as appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates learning in accordance with established district curriculum expectations.

Classroom responsibilities:

• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, administrative guidelines, or specific program requirements.
• Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Contacts parents frequently regarding student improvement and conducts conferences.
• Implements all district policies and expected practices.

Assessment responsibilities:

• Conducts student assessments to identify individual student needs to plan instruction, and/or to determine intervention strategies.
• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides frequent progress reports to parents and students (if applicable).
• Collaborates with appropriate building and district personnel regarding student needs.

Professional responsibilities:

• Adheres to the Iowa Teaching Standards.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively with students, parents and colleagues.  
• Projects a positive image as an educator in the school and community.  
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision.  
• Displays a positive attitude and adjusts to new changing situations.  
• Meets deadlines, is punctual, and completes assigned tasks with minimal assistance.
• Seeks opportunities to improve professional competence through professional development activities.
• Collaborates with colleagues to plan and implement professional development activities to address school improvement.  
• Participates in discussion or activities focused on using research to improve teaching and learning.  
• Takes an active interest in the school and community. Attends meetings and serves on staff/district committees.
• Other duties as assigned by the principal.

Physical Requirements:

Bending, carrying, climbing, travel between job sites, lifting, pushing-pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, and walking

All applications must include a minimum of 3 completed references. Please contact building Principal, Amanda Parker, with any questions.