Adaptive and Functional Special Education Teachers (SPED) Elementary 2026-2027

Topeka Public Schools; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Topeka Public Schools is seeking a Special Education teacher to provide direct instructional services for students with exceptional needs in Topeka, Kansas. The role reports to the Director of Special Education and involves collaborating with the IEP team to design and implement individualized education programs.

The position requires a Kansas teaching license in Special Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education and appropriate Kansas licensure in Special Education.
• Multiple positions available.

Responsibilities

• Assists the IEP team in designing an IEP for students with exceptional needs.
• Provides direct instruction and services for pupils with IEP-identified needs and communicates with parents and IEP team about changes.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to students’ age and interests.
• Encourages students to set and maintain classroom behavior standards.
• Guides learning toward curriculum goals and communicates clear objectives for lessons and projects.
• Employs various instructional techniques and media suitable to the classroom and students’ needs.
• Strives to implement district educational philosophy and goals through instruction and actions.
• Assesses student progress regularly and consults with district specialists as needed.
• Maintains classroom order and fair procedures; develops reasonable rules.

Skills

IEP design

Direct instruction

Parental communication

Curriculum alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

KS licensure in Special Education

Tools

IEP software

Medicaid billing

Job description

Reports To:

Director of Special Education

Position Purpose:

Provide direct instructional services for students with exceptional needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education ( or related to the subject taught) with appropriate Kansas licensure in Special Education.

• Multiple positions available.

Physical/Emotional Requirements:

(The incumbent may be required to use the following skills and abilities during any part of the working day.)

Speaking, hearing, visual, reading, writing, word processing, mobility, consistency of temperament, ability to work with a variety of problems at the same time, stamina for working long hours and in stress-producing environments.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Assists the Individualized Education Planning Team in designing an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for students with exceptional needs.

• Provides direct instruction and services for pupils whose needs are identified in a written IEP. Monitors the IEP of each student placed in the special education class and assumes responsibility for contacting and consulting with parents and Individualized Educational Planning Team about indicated changes in the IEP.

• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.

• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.

• 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.

• 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.

• Strives to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.

• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as required.

• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing students and the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.

• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes when required or requested at mutually agreeable times.

• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.

• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.

• Must complete all Special Education paperwork, including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Terms of Employment:

Salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board policy on evaluation of Certified Personnel.

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor.