Special Education Teacher

We are looking for a special education teacher (INTERNS WELCOME TO APPLY) with an Ed Specialist mild-moderate with autism or moderate-severe CA teaching credential or comparable out-of-state (interns are encouraged to apply) to join our team of educators for the 2026-2027 school year (August 4 tentative start, possible start during ESY: June 2026).

We are a small not for profit school providing special education services to students preschool to transition age. We utilize a strong theme-based approach, language supports, and model as we partner with families to create optimal educational experiences for every child.

If you are interested in working as part of an innovative educational program, please visit our website www.wellspringeducation.org.

Basic Function:

The Teacher will serve as one member of a transdisciplinary team consisting of educators and therapists. The Teacher will consult and collaborate with other members of the team to develop an understanding of students’ unique individual profile, and to develop and deliver effective curriculum and instructional strategies, which promote student development across domains. These domains include: social/emotional development, communication and language development, intellectual and cognitive development, visual-spatial processing, sensory-motor function, executive functioning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead instructor for a classroom (6 to 9 students)
• Develop individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student: Establish learning goals and adopt modifications as necessary; ensure each student's activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Develop meaningful and experience-based thematic lessons to address individual student needs.
• Provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate instruction using knowledge of a variety of instructional strategies that are effective with students with a variety of disabilities, taking into account the unique individual profiles of each student in the class.
• Individualize instruction to meet unique needs of students
• Provide leadership, training, supervision, performance evaluations to staff directly supervised (generally 5 to 8 classroom paraprofessionals), ensuring that job expectations are stated clearly and met.
• Perform a variety of assessments and observations to determine the areas in which the student may need extra or modified educational services.
• Provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate instruction using knowledge of a variety of instructional strategies that are effective with students with a variety of disabilities, taking into account the unique individual profiles of each student in the class
• Individualize instruction to meet unique needs of students
• Assist in development of Behavior Plans for students presenting with challenging behavior that demonstrate knowledge of student’s individual profile, and effective strategies for transactional support (role of staff) that elicit cooperation and provide co-regulation for student during times of distress
• Participate in team meetings, including reflective supervision meetings that include review of videotape of classroom routines and activities in order to deepen understanding of the role of teachers in the classroom, and to reflect upon how best to tailor interaction style to support development for individual students.
• Provide supervision, performance evaluations, and direction to staff directly supervised, ensuring that job expectations are stated clearly and met.
• Communicate regularly with parents

Licenses and other Requirements:

• Appropriate California teacher credential/permit or out of state equivalent approved by CDE
• Must successfully pass Department of Justice Fingerprinting
• Must provide evidence of clear TB test from within the last 60 days

Knowledge of:

• Child development
• A variety of instructional strategies appropriate for children with a variety of disabilities
• Developmental models of intervention including, but not limited to: The DIR/Floortime Model, The SCERTS Model, Hanen, and Early Start Denver Model
• Successful collaboration strategies
• Common core standards
• Special Education regulations and requirements
• Assessment practices both formative and summative; special education for eligibility determinations and instructional planning

Ability to:

• Provide instructional design for remote and onsite students
• Design developmentally appropriate classroom activities, applying principles of the developmental models listed above, using a relationship-based approach to instruction and assessment
• Create a classroom routine and implement effective environmental supports that promote engagement and independence for students
• Provide special education assessments
• Write legally compliant and educationally meaningful assessment reports using person-first language and listing student strengths at start of report, followed by areas of concern
• Develop and implement behavior plans
• Work in a positive, collaborative, and respectful relationship with parents and staff members
• Provide ongoing training to other teachers and aides
• Work flexibly with students, family and staff
• Communicate successfully and directly with staff and families

Physical Abilities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Job Types: Full-time

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Ability to Commute:

• Walnut Creek, CA 94597 (Required)

Work Location: In person