Special Education Teacher, MOCI Middle School

This position qualifies for a signing bonus up to $3,000

Division: Special Education

Position Type:

Full Time/11-Month

M-F 7:30 am-3:30pm

(Grade: 17)

Summary

As a Special Education Teacher at WoodsEdge Learning Center, you will have the opportunity to teach basic academic and daily living skills to students with cognitive impairments in both school and community settings by performing the following duties. You will benefit from a supportive environment with resources like dedicated Instructional Coaches, a behavior support team, built-in planning time, a state-of-the-art facility, and more designed to help you succeed as a teacher.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan curriculum and prepare lessons and other instructional materials according to ability levels of students
• Confer with parents, administrators, psychologists, social workers, and others to develop individual educational programs for students who are at different learning ability levels, including mild, moderate and sever cognitive impairments. This may include completing functional assessments of behavior and the development of support plans
• Instruct students in academic subjects, utilizing various teaching techniques
• Schedule, participate in and /or conduct Multidisciplinary Educational Teams (MET), Individua lEducational Planning Team (IEPT) meetings to determine appropriate placement of students within education system
• Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent living and economic self-sufficiency such as hygiene, safety, communication skills, pre-vocational skills, appropriate behavior and food preparation
• Observe, evaluate and prepare reports on progress of students
• Meet with parents to provide support and guidance in using community resources
• Identify professional development programs and attend regularly to update expertise
• Administer and interpret results of ability and achievement tests
• Devise special teaching tools, techniques, and equipment
• Regular and consistent attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits of Working at WoodsEdge:

• 2 Instructional Coaches
• 6 Person behavior team with a board certified BCBA
• 1 hour before and 1 hour after school without students (planning and meeting time)
• State of the Art Building
• Weekly PLC meetings 
• Built in professional development monthly
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Teacher Leaders - group of master teachers who help support our Instructional coaches with support in the classroom
• Ancillary Staff (Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy) in house
• Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Adapted PE for students 
• Supportive Admin

Minimum Skills and Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsement/ approval in Mental Impairment (CI)/Cognitive Impairment with valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement.

Preferred Skills and Education:

• Embraces and supports KRESA philosophies related to diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals from a wide range of cultures
• Ability to discuss cultural differences with colleagues and clients
• Ability to assess one's own strengths and limitations or challenges and integrate thisunderstanding into interpersonal interactions
• Attitude of acceptance and esteem for students
• Ability to communicate effectively including listening Keeps administrator abreast ofclassroom status
• Ability to efficiently use computer and applicable software
• Ability to problem solve, Ability to write reports, Present ideas and information in amanner that gets student’s attention, and which encourages their engagement
• Maintain confidentiality
• Develop instructional strategies to meet classroom goals
• Adapt to frequent changes in the work environment
• Practice safe work habits
• Develop and maintain atmosphere of teamwork
• Use equipment and material properly
• Plan for additional resources as needed

A Great Place to Live and Work

Kalamazoo was recently recognized as a great place to live in the 2024 50 Best Places to Live roundup by Money.com. Kalamazoo was noted for its abundant family-friendly activities and appreciation for artisan-crafted goods, as well as the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.

Apply online at www.kresa.org/jobs

Kalamazoo RESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals.

Notice of Non-discrimination: It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources. Contact information: 269-250-9200, 1819 E. Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49002.