SCI Teacher - Middle School

Ottawa Area Center; Allendale Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

MPSERS retirement plan

Job summary

Ottawa Area ISD seeks a SCI Teacher for the Ottawa Area Center in Allendale, Michigan. The role focuses on delivering specialized instruction, developing/I implementing IEPs, and coordinating with families and service providers to support student growth and independence.

Responsibilities include leading paraprofessionals, collecting data, and ensuring compliance with educational standards while supporting safe, inclusive classrooms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4-year equivalent required; Master’s degree preferred.
• One to three years of related experience; Special Education experience preferred.
• Michigan Teaching Certificate with CI endorsement required; additional endorsements preferred.
• CPR, First Aid, CPI and safety certifications within 90 days of hire.
• ABA/START/CVI training or related certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs with goals, progress, and transition planning.
• Provide individualized instruction for students with significant disabilities.
• Lead paraprofessionals and support staff with effective instructional strategies.
• Maintain Medicaid billing, progress reports, logs, and compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with families, therapists, nurses, and districts regarding student programs.

Skills

IEP development

Collaboration with families

Data collection and analysis

Behavior management / PBIS

Leadership of staff

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4-year equivalent

Master’s degree or equivalent preferred

Job description

SCI Teacher - Middle School

Ottawa Area ISD Ottawa Area Center - Allendale, Michigan Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Ottawa Area ISD

Job Details

Job ID: 5955579
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Oct 09, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

Job title: SCI Teacher

Reports to: Program Director - Ottawa Area Center (OAC)

Position Summary

The Teacher provides specialized instruction and comprehensive educational programming for students with significant cognitive, developmental, physical, medical, behavioral, sensory, and communication needs from preschool through post‑secondary age levels. This position develops, implements, and monitors Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), delivers individualized and standards-based instruction, collects and analyzes student data, and supports the development of academic, functional life, communication, social‑emotional, behavioral, transition, and independent living skills. The role collaborates extensively with families, paraprofessionals, therapists, nurses, community agencies, and school district personnel to coordinate services, support student well‑being, and ensure effective educational programming.

Responsibilities include managing classroom operations, providing direction and feedback to support staff, implementing behavioral and safety plans, supporting personal care and medical needs, facilitating community‑based instruction and vocational experiences, and utilizing assistive technology, AAC systems, and adaptive equipment to maximize student access and participation. The Teacher also contributes to program development, staff mentoring, crisis response, and interdisciplinary problem‑solving while fostering safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that promote student independence, meaningful community engagement, and successful transitions across educational and adult living settings.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including goal development, progress monitoring, transition planning, assessments, and compliance documentation.
• Provide individualized, adapted, and functional instruction for students with significant cognitive, developmental, behavioral, communication, sensory, and physical disabilities.
• Develop lesson plans and instructional activities aligned with curriculum standards, functional life skills, communication goals, social‑emotional learning, transition outcomes, and community‑based instruction opportunities.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain student data related to academic performance, behavior, IEP goals and objectives, medical needs, and progress reporting.
• Provide direction and feedback to classroom paraprofessionals and support staff to ensure consistent implementation of instructional, behavioral, communication, and personal care supports.
• Provide ongoing leadership and daily direction to paraprofessionals, substitute staff, student teachers, and newly assigned staff within the classroom and program.
• Delegate and coordinate classroom tasks, roles, and responsibilities to ensure efficient program operations and effective student support.
• Implement behavior intervention plans, PBIS practices, sensory supports, trauma‑informed strategies, crisis intervention procedures, and positive behavior supports.
• Support student communication through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, assistive technology, core language strategies, adapted materials, and communication devices.
• Provide and oversee personal care supports including feeding, toileting, hygiene, positioning, mobility, transfers, medical monitoring, and implementation of health and safety plans.
• Collaborate with families, resident districts, therapists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and community agencies regarding student programming, transitions, and services.
• Maintain required documentation, including Medicaid billing, progress reports, communication logs, behavior records, attendance, assessments, and compliance reporting.
• Plan and coordinate classroom activities, schoolwide events, community-based learning activities, therapeutic recreation opportunities, and transition experiences.
• Participate in IEP meetings, behavior meetings, staffings, professional development activities, school committees, and school improvement initiatives.
• Support a safe, structured, inclusive, and student‑centered learning environment that promotes dignity, independence, communication, and active participation.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

These functions and responsibilities are judged to be "essential functions" in terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions that may be performed by such a person.

Employment Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or 4-year equivalent required. Master’s degree or equivalent preferred.

Experience:

Requires one (1) to three (3) years of related experience. Experience working in a Special Education setting is strongly preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None, but may provide work direction and feedback to support staff.

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations:

A valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Cognitive Impairment (CI) endorsement is required. Additional Special Education endorsements, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional Impairment (EI), Learning Disabilities (LD), Early Childhood Special Education, and/or Adapted Physical Education, are preferred. Ability to obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and other required safety-related certifications and training, within ninety (90) days of hire, are required. Training or certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), START, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), feeding/dysphagia safety, behavior intervention, and related special education practices are preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Knowledge of special education law, IDEA requirements, IEP development, compliance procedures, and evidence-based instructional practices.
• Knowledge of students with severe multiple impairments, autism spectrum disorders, significant cognitive disabilities, behavioral needs, communication disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Knowledge of behavior intervention strategies, PBIS, CPI, trauma-informed practices, sensory regulation supports, and crisis management techniques.
• Knowledge of AAC systems, assistive technology, adaptive equipment, emergent literacy strategies, and communication supports.
• Ability to develop and deliver individualized instruction and adapt curriculum to meet diverse learner needs.
• Ability to coach, train, mentor, and support paraprofessionals and classroom teams.
• Strong communication, collaboration, interpersonal, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, data collection, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze student data and use information to adjust interventions and instructional programming.
• Ability to safely implement feeding, mobility, toileting, transfer, positioning, seizure, respiratory, and other individualized health plans.
• Physical ability to assist with lifting, positioning, transfers, mobility support, and personal care responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, special education documentation systems, data collection systems, and educational technology.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and effective in challenging behavioral, medical, and crisis situations.

Physical Requirements:

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.

• Frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and movement throughout classroom and instructional environments.
• Ability to lift, move, or support students, equipment, and instructional materials. Physical demands vary by assignment and student needs and may include lifting or assisting individuals weighing up to 50 pounds or more, with the use of mechanical lifts, transfer devices, and team-lift procedures when appropriate.
• Sufficient visual ability to read, review, and work with information presented on computer screens and in electronic and printed formats.
• Visual acuity sufficient to monitor and supervise students, maintain awareness of the instructional environment, and observe student behavior and safety concerns.
• The physical requirements of this position vary based on specific job assignments. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties of the job. Job functions are to be performed in‑person unless as otherwise approved by supervisor.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. This is not a virtual position.

Compensation:

• Pay: Starting Per OAEA Master Agreement
• Schedule: Full‑time, Full Year Balanced Calendar, 190 days per year
• Employee Group: Union Salary
• Benefits: Full benefits package, including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. MPSERS provided retirement plan.
• View a detailed breakdown of our benefits. View our insurance costs.

ADA:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Ottawa Area ISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please visit oaisd.org for more information.

Position Type: Full‑Time

Job Categories:
Special Education > Alternative Learning Environment
Special Education > Excessive Needs/Severe/Profound Disabilities
Special Education > General Special Education

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• OAISD Human Resources Department
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]