LES Autism Program Teacher

Lakewood Public Schools; Lake Odessa (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakewood Public Schools seeks an Autism Program Teacher to join the Special Education team. The role requires a Michigan teaching certificate with Special Education endorsement and a focus on student progress across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.

Responsibilities include maintaining structured classrooms, coordinating with aides, reporting IEPT progress, and collaborating with staff to support exemplary student outcomes in a positive, professional environment.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate with Special Education endorsement.
• Ability to program for and motivate students to develop to their fullest potential.
• ABA training/experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with students, parents, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an organized, structured classroom aligned with IEPTs.
• Prepare lesson plans in advance and ensure consistency with program content.
• Provide directions and assistance to aides, volunteers, and student teachers.
• Maintain current assessments and document student progress per supervisor directives.
• Utilize instructional materials effectively to meet individual student needs.
• Submit thorough reports and assignments in a timely manner.
• Provide clear oral reports at IEPT meetings and parent conferences.
• Demonstrate competency in behavioral management and supervise students.
• Participate in meetings, committees, and school functions as needed.
• Maintain open communication with parents, staff, and administration.
• Collaborate with support staff for student follow-through.
• Assist with student arrival/departure from the bus as needed.
• Maintain professional conduct and positive school image at work-related activities.
• Complete required paperwork (IEPs, progress reports, MET sheets, billing).
• Adhere to district policies and Michigan Special Education Rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Discretion & integrity

Instructional adaptability

Education

Michigan teaching certificate (Special Education endorsement)

IEP/IEPT reporting experience

Job description

POSTED: September 11, 2026 DEADLINE: September 25, 2026

JOB TITLE: Autism Program Teacher

DEPARTMENT: Special Education

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

WORK SCHEDULE: 184 days per year

SALARY SCHEDULE: Salary and benefits in accordance with the LEA Master Agreement

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate, with approval by the Michigan Department of Education in an area of special education. (All endorsement areas will be considered);
• Ability to program for and motivate students to develop to their fullest potential in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains;
• Training/experience in Applied Behavior Analysis preferred
• Interpersonal skills which promote positive personal relationships with students, parents, staff and community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• A. Maintain an organized classroom program that is structured to best meet the needs of the students, inclusive of:
  • Lesson plans prepared in advance;
  • Written schedules and operation format that correlates with student IEPTs;
  • Consistency in program content and expectations of students and other classroom staff.
• B. Provide appropriate directions and assistance to assigned classroom aides, volunteers, student teachers, and childcare workers;
• C. Maintain current assessments on student performance in accordance with IEPT reports and directives of the immediate supervisor.
• D. Make effective use of instructional materials and demonstrate effective methods of instruction to ensure that the individual student performance levels, needs, and abilities are addressed;
• E. Submit thorough and well-written reports and other assignments in a timely manner;
• F. Provide meaningful oral reports at IEPT meetings, Parent/Teacher conferences, and other school functions.
• G. Demonstrate competency in behavioral management and maintain control of students assigned to his/her care;
• H. Participate and occasionally assist in the organization of meetings, committees, and special functions;
• I. Maintain positive and open communication with parents, staff, and administration;
• J. Work cooperatively with support staff to provide recommended follow-through for students;
• K. Assist with, and/or provide supervision to, students as they enter and exit the school bus;
• L. Conduct oneself in a professional manner and maintain a positive image during the workday and at all work-related activities;
• M. Completes required paperwork in a timely manner (e.g. IEPs, IEP progress reports, MET cover sheets, Medicaid billing);
• N. Abide by all District policies and procedures, and demonstrate competencies specified in the Michigan Special Education Rules and Regulations;
• O. All other related duties as assigned by the principal.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to interpret, comprehend, and follow oral and written instructions in order to perform duties described above.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently
• High level of discretion and integrity

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, students, parents, and the general public. Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Math skills are required at the level of this type of teaching position.

REASONING ABILITY:

Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, and reach with hands and arms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment varies.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Lakewood Schools is committed to an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lakewood Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital/family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.