High Needs Special Education Teacher

Kearney School District; United States; On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kearney School District seeks a Lifeskills Special Education Teacher to provide direct instruction and support for students with disabilities. The role emphasizes teamwork with administrators and regular education staff to implement individualized education plans and life skills curricula.

Responsibilities include coordinating IEPs, adapting instruction, and maintaining confidential student records while ensuring a safe, inclusive classroom environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, board policies and regulations.
• Ability to complete forms, write reports and communicate with parents.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions.
• Ability to write clear and complete lesson plans.

Responsibilities

• Abides by Missouri statutes and district policies.
• Maintains records of student progress toward IEP goals and accommodations.
• Develops and implements IEPs for students with disabilities.
• Plans instructional strategies and adapts curriculum for individual needs.
• Communicates with regular education teachers and principals about student needs.
• Prepares lesson plans for substitute teachers.

Skills

Read and interpret

Written communication

Present information

Lesson planning

Adapt instruction

Education

Missouri Teaching Certificate

Job description

• Position Type: Student Support Services/ Special Education Self-Contained Teacher
• Date Posted: 9/22/2026

Job Title: Lifeskills Special Education Teacher

Department: Instruction

Reports to: Principal & Director of Special Education

Classification: Exempt

Summary

Teachers are responsible for providing direct instruction to students and maintaining an environment conducive to learning.

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, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Abides by Missouri statutes, School Board policies and regulations.
• Upholds school rules and administrative regulations.
• Attends meetings and performs duties as assigned by administrators or supervisors.
• Participates in faculty, grade level, and subject area committees and sponsorship of pupil activities.
• Maintains a cooperative relationship with staff, students, and community.
• Serves as case manager in the development and implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
• Plans effective instructional strategies for adapting or modifying general curriculum to meet the needs of individual students, and strategies to implement and prioritize longitudinal, outcome-based curriculum, including social, language, academic, vocational skills, and life skill domains (i.e. domestic, recreation/leisure, vocational, and community).
• Communicates with regular education teachers and principals regarding the educational needs and programs of students with disabilities.
• Utilizes specialized materials, equipment, and assistive technology for individuals with disabilities and understands the use of adaptive equipment for students with disabilities to plan and prepare for the integration of assistive and instructional technology to meet a student's individual needs.
• Prepares and utilizes assessment methodologies to adapt for individual students as appropriate, including physical adaptations to meet a student's individual needs.
• Maintains records regarding individual student progress toward IEP goals and objectives, services and accommodations provided, parent contacts, notices, and other documentation as required by DESE regulations, the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services or the school principal.
• Participates in student eligibility evaluations and re-evaluations.
• Participates in the development of an annual budget request for instructional materials needed to implement and support IEPs for students with disabilities.
• Initiates communication with parents of students with disabilities on a regular basis.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Prepare lesson plans for use by a substitute teacher.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, discrimination and harassments as directed by Board policy.
• Subject area teachers may have additional duties and responsibilities.

Supervisory Duties

Supervise students at all times

Qualifications

Education

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Missouri Teaching Certificate

Skills and Abilities

Language

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Read, analyze and interpret professional journals, Board policy, administrative procedures and forms and governmental regulations and guidance
• Complete forms, write reports and engage in written correspondence with parents
• Present information effectively and respond to questions
• Write clear and complete lesson plans

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference
• Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations

Reasoning

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Solve a variety of problems in many different situations
• Interpret instructions presented in written, oral, diagram or schedule form
• Apply knowledge of current educational theory and instructional techniques while presenting subject matter to students

Other Skills and Abilities

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Identify needs and abilities of individual students and to adapt instructional methods accordingly
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents

Technology

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Perform basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use
• Use district software for recording grades and finding student information
• Utilize smart boards, projectors and other instructional technology provided by the district

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 essential functions.

Physical Demands

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:

• Speak and hear in an environment where numerous conversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously
• Move around the classroom
• Read handwritten or printed material

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Conditions and Environment

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess.