Special Education Teacher

Fort Smith Public Schools; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution is seeking a Special Education Teacher who will be responsible for teaching and assessing students in a supportive classroom environment. This role requires meeting Arkansas licensure requirements and maintaining effective classroom management while providing a nurturing and safe learning atmosphere. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong teaching skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with educational staff and students. This position offers a full contract for 190 days, with timely benefits included.

Qualifications

• Must meet Arkansas licensure requirements for teaching.
• Experience in maintaining classroom behavior and respect.
• Ability to assess and adapt teaching strategies to student needs.

Responsibilities

• Teaches content and learning activities using the curriculum.
• Instructs students and assesses performance regularly.
• Provides feedback and adjusts instruction as needed.
• Provides planned learning experiences and motivates students.
• Assesses student progress and develops lesson plans.
• Maintains classroom behavior and records.
• Communicates with parents about progress.
• Collaborates with staff on student health and learning needs.
• Participates in meetings and after-school duties.
• Cares for students and ensures safety and organization.

Skills

Teaching skills

Curriculum development

Student assessment

Classroom management

Effective communication

Education

AR licensure requirements

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Special Education Teacher

FLSA: Exempt

LOCATION: District Wide

REPORTS TO: Principal and Director of Special Education

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: A full contract for this position is 190 days, with benefits as specified in employee contract. Contract will be prorated based on actual start date.

BEGINNING: January 2026

QUALIFICATIONS: Must meet AR licensure requirements

DISTRICT VALUES

• We will always put student needs first.
• We believe relationships matter.
• We expect accountability.
• We operate with transparency.
• We prioritize student and staff safety.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Teaches content and other appropriate learning activities to students in a classroom, utilizing the curriculum adopted by the Board of Education.
• Implements a variety of effective instructional strategies consistent with lesson objectives and grade-level expectations.
• Instructs students in citizenship, basic communication skills, and other general elements of the curriculum specified in state law, administrative regulations, procedures, and the Mission, Vision, and Values of the School District.
• Provides planned learning experiences in order to motivate students and best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Assesses student performance results and develops lesson plans and instructional materials for the class including individualized and small group instruction as necessary in order to adapt the curriculum performance standards to the needs of each student.
• Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction accordingly.
• Maintains an atmosphere of respect and rapport ensuring all interactions are respectful (student to student, student to teacher, teacher to student, and teacher to teacher).
• Establishes and maintains standards of behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Evaluates academic and social growth of students, keeps appropriate records, prepares progress reports, and communicates with parents on the individual student's progress.
• Provides specific, timely, and constructive feedback to students.
• Identifies students’ needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and reflects high expectations for student engagement and learning, as well as safe and organized.
• Attends meetings and performs duties as assigned by administrators or supervisors, including after-school faculty meetings.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Maintains professional competence through participation in professional development activities provided by the District and/or self-selected professional growth activities.
• Administers standardized assessments as mandated by the school district and state.
• Participates in curriculum development programs within the school of assignment and/or on a District level.
• Carries out duty as assigned, including after-school or before-school duties.
• Participates in grade level collaboration, planning, as part of PLCs, as well as school committees.
• Supervises students on recess, bus, during before and after school duty, on field trips, extracurricular events, and in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day.
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain positive professional working relationships with others.
• Maintains emotional control under stress.
• Abide by state statutes, school board policies, and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Has the ability to lift at least 40 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to endure prolonged standing, walking, sitting, occasional reaching above the head or the shoulders, bending, squatting, and kneeling.
• Teachers could be asked to teach at various locations to serve the needs of students.

Check out our interview process here.

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See Salary Schedule

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If seeing this posting on a job site, please apply here https://fortsmithschools.schoolspring.com/if interested.

*Out of state applicants please provide Arkansas Department of Education's verification of provisional licensure eligibility*