Adaptive & Functional Special Education Teachers (SPED) Middle School 2026-2027

Topeka Public Schools; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Topeka Public Schools seeks a dedicated Special Education teacher to provide direct instructional services for students with exceptional needs in the Topeka area.

You will collaborate with the IEP team to design and monitor individualized plans, deliver instruction, and communicate with families. The role emphasizes creating a supportive classroom environment, applying diverse teaching methods, and maintaining professional standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education with 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 as identified in an IEP; monitors IEP and communicates with parents and IEP team about changes.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to students’ maturity and interests.
• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
• Guides learning toward curriculum goals with clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
• Employs varied instructional techniques and media suited to location and student needs.
• Strives to implement district education goals through instruction and action.
• Assesses student progress regularly and consults district specialists as needed.
• Supports administration in applying policies; maintains fair classroom order.
• Makes themselves available to students and parents for education-related purposes.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attends staff meetings and serves on committees as required.
• Must complete all Special Education paperwork, including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education with Kansas licensure in Special Education

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:

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.