Middle School Resource Teacher

Special Education Service Delivery Grounding Principles

We seek to leverage challenges for students with disabilities by ensuring they can access the support and tools to improve their educational outcomes. We believe that Special Education is a service rather than a place, and we know that most students can receive their services along with their peers in the general education classroom.

We Believe

• All students with disabilities will have access to grade-level instruction.
• All students can learn and have varied learning styles. We are responsible for building on students' strengths and helping them access their learning modalities.
• Effective and rigorous co-teaching prepares students with disabilities for success and independence as productive, contributing community citizens.
  
  

Students with disabilities deserve to receive all the services and support delineated in their IEP to meet their goals and exceed their highest potential.

Resource Teacher (Grades 6–8) Position Summary

The Resource Teacher provides specialized instruction and individualized support to students in grades 6–8 with moderate to severe developmental, intellectual, emotional, behavioral, and academic disabilities. This role is responsible for ensuring students have equitable access to rigorous grade-level instruction through evidence-based interventions, individualized programming, and collaborative teaching practices. The Resource Teacher partners with general education teachers, related service providers, instructional assistants, and families to foster academic achievement, functional independence, and social-emotional growth within an inclusive learning environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Student Instruction & Support

• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that align with state standards, district curriculum, and each student's individualized learning needs.
• Deliver individualized and small-group instruction using evidence-based instructional methodologies, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH, Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), incidental teaching, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), sensory integration strategies, and functional vocational instruction.
• Design differentiated lessons that provide students access to grade-level curriculum while addressing academic, behavioral, communication, and adaptive skill development.
• Teach functional academics, adaptive living skills, communication, self-advocacy, executive functioning, and social-emotional competencies that promote independence and successful participation in school and community settings.
• Integrate literacy strategies and standards-based instructional practices across all content areas to support student achievement.
  
  

Assessment & Progress Monitoring

• Administer formal and informal academic assessments, including norm-referenced diagnostic assessments, curriculum-based measures, and classroom assessments to identify student strengths and areas of need.
• Analyze assessment data to establish present levels of performance, develop measurable IEP goals, monitor student progress, and adjust instructional practices accordingly.
• Prepare students for alternate assessments and maintain accurate documentation to ensure compliance with federal, state, and district requirements.
  
  

Collaboration & Family Engagement

• Collaborate with general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and school leadership to implement inclusive instructional practices and coordinated student supports.
• Provide coaching and guidance to instructional assistants to ensure consistency in instructional delivery, classroom management, and behavioral interventions.
• Partner with families through ongoing communication regarding student progress, instructional goals, accommodations, and behavioral supports to strengthen home-school collaboration.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary team meetings, IEP meetings, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), professional development, and school-wide initiatives.
  
  

Classroom Environment

• Foster a structured, safe, and culturally responsive classroom environment that promotes student engagement, positive behavior, emotional well-being, and academic growth.
• Implement research-based classroom management systems and positive behavior supports that encourage independence, self-regulation, and responsible decision-making.
• Adapt curriculum, instructional materials, technology, and classroom resources to ensure students have equitable access to English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
  
  

Compliance & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate student records, progress monitoring data, and confidential documentation in accordance with IDEA and district policies.
• Remain current on special education laws, instructional best practices, and evidence-based interventions through ongoing professional learning.
• Contribute to a collaborative school culture by participating in school events, committees, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
  

Starting salary: $66,000 - $111,500

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education or a related field.
• Valid Special Education teaching certification or eligibility for certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, IEP development, and special education compliance requirements.
• Experience developing and delivering individualized instruction for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices, behavior intervention strategies, and progress monitoring systems.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of teaching experience in an urban or diverse educational setting.
• Experience implementing ABA, TEACCH, DTT, PRT, PECS, AAC, and other evidence-based interventions.
• Experience with alternate assessments, including MSAA, and standards-based instruction.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support inclusive educational programming.
• Commitment to equity, culturally responsive teaching, and continuous professional growth.