Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher

Sylvania; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional school district in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is seeking an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher to provide special education services to preschool students. The teacher will collaborate with general education staff in community preschools to ensure effective instructional strategies and support for students with disabilities. Qualifications include a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate and at least two years of teaching experience. This role offers opportunities for professional development and engagement in the local community.

Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of successful teaching experience.
• Familiarity with virtual/online learning.
• Proven ability to meet the challenges of an urban school district.
• Ability to incorporate technology into the classroom.
• Strong academic preparation and leadership ability.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proven ability to meet the challenges of an urban school district

Responsibilities

• Implements preschool curriculum and develops individual instructional plans.
• Collaborates with related service providers on strategies for each child.
• Guides parents in accommodating children's needs at home.
• Develops and implements IEP goals, accommodations, and services.
• Provides documentation of school and home visits to comply with program requirements.
• Assess students' progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals and provides feedback to parents, community preschool staff, and administration.
• Delivers special education services in Alexandria City community preschools and daycare centers by collaborating with general education preschool teachers in making instructional and environmental adaptations to include preschoolers in community preschool and Head Start classrooms.
• Collaborates with community general education teachers and/or parents in managing student behavior to provide a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Conducts Child Find screenings, observations, and evaluations to determine development levels and need for special education services.
• Participate in district professional development programs as required.
• Create an effective environment for learning through functional, attractive displays, and bulletin boards.
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
• Participate in curriculum development programs as required.
• Participate in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
• Represent the school district in a positive manner
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential job duty
• Perform other duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to incorporate technology into the classroom

Collaboration with general education staff

Commitment to equity in education

Experience with urban school district

Education

Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement

Master's degree in Education

BHAS Teacher-in-Training Pathway or full-year permit

Tools

Educational technology integration

Job description

BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher

SUPERVISOR: Building Principal

LOCATION: Discovery Enrichment Center

JOB SUMMARY: The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher provides special education services as outlined in the Individualized Education Program to preschool students in a class-based program. This teacher also provides special education services as outlined in the Individualized Education Program to preschool students in the community preschools, day cares, and homes. This teacher collaborates with the general education staff at the preschools and daycares to ensure appropriate instructional strategies, accommodations, and adaptations are in place for students with disabilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement (ZN, ZO) OR qualifies for a full-year permit and BHAS Teacher-in-Training Pathway
• Have at least two (2) years of successful teaching experience.
• Familiarity with virtual/online learning.
• Ability to incorporate technology into the classroom.
• Strong academic preparation and leadership ability.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proven ability to meet the challenges of an urban school district

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Education
• Five (5) years of successful teaching experience

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implements preschool curriculum, develops individual instructional plans, and helps select instructional materials and strategies that are individually, developmentally, and culturally appropriate.
• Collaborates with related service providers to plan and implement strategies appropriate for each child.
• Guides parents in accommodating for their children's needs in daily activities in the home and the community.
• Develops and implements IEP goals, accommodations, and services.
• Provides documentation of school and home visits to comply with program requirements.
• Assess students' progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals and provides feedback to parents, community preschool staff, and administration.
• Delivers special education services in Alexandria City community preschools and daycare centers by collaborating with general education preschool teachers in making instructional and environmental adaptations to include preschoolers in community preschool and Head Start classrooms.
• Collaborates with community general education teachers and/or parents in managing student behavior to provide a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Conducts Child Find screenings, observations, and evaluations to determine development levels and need for special education services.
• Participate in district professional development programs as required.
• Create an effective environment for learning through functional, attractive displays, and bulletin boards.
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
• Participate in curriculum development programs as required.
• Participate in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
• Represent the school district in a positive manner
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential job duty
• Perform other duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education
• Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
• Focus on Data‑Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
• Innovative Problem‑Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem‑solving; takes the initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
• Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non‑routine situations.
• Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high‑quality and courteous manner.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary based on education and experience pursuant to the Benton Harbor Area School Board policies and collective bargaining agreement for any position that falls under collective bargaining.

EVALUATION

The performance of this job will be evaluated by the Building Principal

FUNDING SOURCE

If this position is funded using Title dollars, federal regulations do not allow a promise of employment beyond the current year of allocated funds. If this position is funded using state program dollars, the district is not obligated to fund the position beyond the current year's allocation. This position, at any time, may be dissolved based on funding availability and data collected from a comprehensive needs assessment.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Benton Harbor Area Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER