Special Education Classroom Teacher

Description

Salary: 

$55,369.60 to $74,748.96 annually (depending on experience and education)

Schedule: 

7:30am to 3:30pm Monday thru Friday – year round school

Position Overview:

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is seeking a Special Education Classroom Teacher to provide individualized, meaningful instruction and a structured, trauma-responsive learning environment that supports each student’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth. The Special Education Classroom Teacher (Aberdeen) plans and delivers instruction aligned with student learning goals, manages assigned special education responsibilities, monitors student progress, and collaborates with families, public schools, and interdisciplinary team members to meet the individualized educational needs of students served by Children’s Home Society. As a leader in compassionate, trauma-informed care, Children’s Home Society is committed to fostering equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

By joining our team, you will make a difference every day—creating positive change for individuals, families, and communities. Each smile, hug, and heart you touch will reflect the meaningful impact of your work. 

Benefits of Employment at CHS:

• Work-Life Balance: 7:30am to 3:30pm Monday thru Friday
• Comprehensive Benefits: Equal up to 30% of your salary. Two health insurance options (Traditional Plan & High Deductible Health Plan with HSA), vision, dental, employer-paid Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Short Term & Long-Term Disability, and additional voluntary life and critical illness plans.
• Financial/Education Assistance: Up to $200 per month in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment for qualifying employees.
• Competitive Compensation: $55,369.60 to $74,748.96 annually (depending on experience and education) with yearly merit-based raises.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes a generous PTO package with 40 hours upfront, 10 paid holidays, and 8 hours "Day of Service" for volunteering in the community.
• Retirement Plans: Once entry into the plan, employees receive a 3% employer contribution each pay period and an up to an additional 5% profit sharing. Employees are 100% vested after 4 years of credited service. 
• Referral Bonuses: Earn up to $1,000 for referring new employees.

What You Will Do:

List the major areas of responsibility for this position. Include only essential job functions. Use action-oriented language that describes what the employee is expected to accomplish.

1. Academic Instruction and Individualized Learning

• Plan and deliver meaningful, standards-aligned instruction using Agency-identified curriculum and supplemental resources appropriate to students’ academic, developmental, social, and emotional needs.
• Establish clear learning goals and high expectations while differentiating instruction, materials, pacing, and supports based on individual student abilities and needs.
• Use a variety of instructional approaches, including individual, small-group, hands-on, movement-based, and other engaging learning opportunities.
• Utilize ongoing assessment, student performance, and other available data to monitor learning and adjust instruction.

2. Special Education and IEP Management

• Case manage Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for assigned students in collaboration with the Special Education Services Administrator and other members of the educational team.
• Participate in evaluations, IEP development and meetings, establish measurable goals and objectives, implement accommodations and modifications, monitor student progress, and maintain required special education documentation.
• Collaborate with public schools, related service providers, families, and other team members to ensure students receive appropriate educational services and supports consistent with applicable special education requirements.

3. Classroom Environment, Expectations, and Behavior Support

• Establish and maintain a structured, predictable, trauma-responsive classroom environment that promotes student safety, regulation, engagement, and learning.
• Develop, teach, model, and consistently reinforce clear classroom rules, routines, boundaries, and expectations.
• Respond to behavioral and emotional needs using individualized strategies, positive relationships, sound professional judgment, and Agency-approved behavior management practices while maintaining appropriate academic and behavioral expectations.

4. Classroom Procedures, Organization, and Student Supervision

• Maintain an organized and effective classroom by preparing instructional materials, technology, equipment, schedules, and other resources for timely use.
• Establish and implement classroom procedures that support smooth transitions between activities and locations and maximize instructional time.
• Provide active supervision throughout the school day and adapt classroom structure, staffing, activities, or expectations as necessary to maintain safety and respond to changing student and program needs.

5. Student Progress, Documentation, and Communication

• Monitor and document students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and IEP-related progress using observations, assessments, data, and other relevant information.
• Complete educational records, progress reports, quarterly reports, IEP documentation, daily documentation, and other required records accurately and within established timelines.
• Communicate relevant student progress, needs, concerns, and successes with families, school staff, public school partners, and members of the interdisciplinary team while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

6. Collaboration, Leadership, and School Contribution 

• Work collaboratively with Teacher Assistants, school leadership, related service providers, therapists, public school partners, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide coordinated support for students.
• Provide direction and leadership within the classroom, including establishing expectations for supporting staff and promoting consistency in student programming.
• Contribute to school-wide problem solving, programming, meetings, activities, and efforts to strengthen student learning, behavior, social skills, safety, staff practices, and the overall school environment.

7. Professional Practice, Growth, and Compliance

• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, dependability, sound judgment, and a commitment to the mission and values of Children’s Home Society.
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to education, special education, trauma-responsive practice, behavioral health, student development, and other areas relevant to the position.
• Seek and apply feedback and identify opportunities to strengthen individual teaching practices and school programming.
• Follow all Children’s Home Society and Loving School policies and procedures, applicable educational and special education requirements, safety expectations, and confidentiality standards, and perform other duties as assigned.

What We’ll Love About You:

• You are a team player that promotes a positive work environment.
• You are capable of handling highly sensitive, confidential information.
• You are able to effectively communicate. 
• You align with our mission, vision, and values.
• You are organized and are able to pay strong attention to detail. 
• You are able to have professional and kind client and public interactions. 
• You are able to show awareness and respect for the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees and clients.  

Requirements

•   Education: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or Elementary Education required.
• Experience: Education, training, or experience working with children with emotional, behavioral, developmental or mental health needs preferred. Experience providing special education services and supporting students with IEPs preferred.
• Licensure: Current, valid South Dakota teaching certificate with a Special Education endorsement appropriate to the grade levels and student served required.