SPED Life Skills Intellectual Disabilities/Autism Teacher

SPED Life Skills, Intellectual Disabilities, and Autism Special Education Teacher

Blue Springs, Missouri

2026-2027

Position Summary:

Responsible for planning and delivery of instruction and/or modification of the education program to enable students to benefit from educational experiences.

• This position reports to the Building Principal.
• This position is a Full Time, benefits eligible position.
• The starting salary for this position is $44,500 - $94,500.
• Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. 
• Staff in their first or second year of total service as a teacher are eligible to participate in a new teacher induction stipend of $1,250 for 50 hours of approved training outside of the school day.
• Fully certified staff with more than two years of experience teaching in a Missouri Public School may be eligible to participate in the Career Ladder Program and may earn $1,500-$5,000 for approved work outside the school day.

Essential Functions:

• Instructs individuals and groups in special education skill areas.
• Teaches District approved curriculum, plans lessons, special education programs and teaching methods.
• Monitors students’ progress in and outside special education room.
• Maintains physical environment of the classroom conducive to students with special needs.
• Prepares for classes assigned.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students with special needs.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintains contact with parents of students.
• Monitors and manages student behaviors.
• Evaluates student progress based on work output and observation, determines goals, objectives, and directions.
• Prepares report cards, educational records, IEP's, classroom observation records, and other forms.
• Assists in screening, evaluating, and recommending placement of referrals in the Special Education Program.
• Instructs and assists students with multiple disabilities.
• Adapts classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
• Evaluates pupils' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
• Administers subject specific assessment and test for the purpose of assessing the level of students' competencies.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations; student's achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Analyzes test data for the purpose of enhancing student achievement by directly impacting instruction.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, administration and/or to seek the assistance of district specialists.
• Collaborates with professional learning communities, instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, business partners, and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Guide students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, problem solving techniques.
• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements.
• Differentiates classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning within established lesson plans.
• Directs paraprofessionals, volunteers, and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Facilitates student learning (e.g., creating a learning environment, integrating technology, arranging field trips, organizing age-appropriate activities, etc.) for the purpose of achieving success in academics, interpersonal, and daily living skills through delivered lesson plans.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic files and records (e.g., grades, test scores, etc.) for the purpose of providing up to date information and/or historical reference in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g., grades, attendance, anecdotal records, lesson plans, progress reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g., classroom, campus grounds, field trips, clubs, sporting events, graduation, dances, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in a variety of building and district teams (e.g., PLC, staff, SAP, department, etc.) for the purpose of contributing to collaborative efforts with the goal of student success.
• Reports incidents (e.g., fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment, and adhering to Education Code and school policies.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Is available to students, parents, school, and district for education-related purposes outside the instructional day.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g., other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction.

Other Functions

• Participates in a variety of meetings for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervises students and teacher aides.
 
Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Education/Experience/Certificates: 
bachelor’s degree in education. Valid Missouri Teaching Certificate in Special Education. 
 
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
 
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
 
Reasoning Ability: 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
 
Other Skills and Abilities:  
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on program and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.
 
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently walking and standing while performing the duties of this job. The employee may frequently bend or twist at the neck and back while performing the duties of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and close vision such as to read typewritten material. The employee may occasionally lift up to 25 pounds such as student equipment and wheelchairs.
 
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out- put of students.
 
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Job Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities (Minimum Qualifications)
Skill-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; researching and gathering relevant data about instruction; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include; appropriate codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws; age-appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; and behavioral management strategies.

Ability-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; strong verbal and written communications skills; adapting to changing work priorities; maintain confidentiality; exhibiting tact and patience; and working flexible hours.

Background Check:
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to the Blue Springs School District. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

4/23/26

Salary : $44,500 - $94,500