What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teacher - Juvenile Shelter School (Bridges Learning Center) position at Great Prairie Area Education Agency?
Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Teacher at our Juvenile Shelter School in Ottumwa, IA.
192-day contract (plus 2 orientation days initial year) beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Benefits: IPERS, generous paid leave package and monthly cafeteria allotment of $1,050.00.
Salary: 2026-2027 Salary Schedule (based on education and experience).
Position Overview:
The Teacher of the Juvenile Shelter School (Bridges Learning Center) has the responsibility to implement the school’s daily programs which have been developed within the Juvenile Shelter/Detention Center team under the coordination of the administration. The teacher is responsible for developing curriculum and instructional materials to meet the varied ages and abilities of the assigned students, providing and implementing individualized and small group instruction to students and implementing a strong, positive, classroom management system where students can learn at the pace of their course schedule. The teacher is responsible for working with the school of origin to determine necessary classes and support for each student to attain credit. The teacher is also responsible for implementing student IEPs as needed.
Qualifications:
The Teacher of the Juvenile Home must have a B.A. degree and hold a K-12 Instructional Strategist II: BD/LD endorsement. It is also acceptable to hold endorsements in both K-8 Behavior Disorders and 5-12 Behavior Disorders.
Responsibilities:
- Assess student educational needs in order to accurately identify each student’s individualized instructional needs.
- Develop lesson plans, adapt curricular materials and develop instructional materials matched to the needs of each student.
- Utilize technology like computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment in the delivery of instruction.
- Provide individual and small group evidence-based instruction based upon principles of applied behavior analysis designed to meet individual needs of students based upon data that promotes academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Provide evidence-based social skills instruction and intervention and instruction aligned to the Iowa’s social-emotional learning competencies.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with students who may be disruptive, aggressive, disrespectful, or explosive in nature in addition to students who have been impacted by trauma.
- Implement classroom and individual student positive behavior intervention and management systems to support appropriate student behavior in the classroom.
- Implement services outlined in individual’s IEP and complete all IEP paperwork appropriately and in a timely manner, including progress monitoring.
- Use verbal and physical proximity strategies to de-escalate student aggression, implementing restraint only where necessary.
- Plan and coordinate the work of the educational assistants working with students in the classroom.
- Supervise students in all classroom activities throughout the school day.
- Effectively communicate with the Regional Director, resident district(s), and DHS shelter staff; provide quality verbal and written communications; and appropriately communicate and participate in the placement and dismissal process for the program.
- Keep accurate and confidential records using the AEA student information system, electronic records, paper files and permanent product work samples and assessments.
- Attend all required AEA professional learning sessions, professional growth activities and all other professional obligations.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Regional Director.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
- Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking. At times, the job may also involve above average levels of activity which can't always be anticipated.
Salary : $1,050