Special Education Teacher

Sanford Middle School; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanford Middle School in Opelika, Alabama is seeking a Special Education Teacher to provide services under the local board guidelines. The role requires an Alabama Teacher Certificate in Special Education or Collaborative Education and adherence to employment criteria.

The position reports to the Principal and supports IEP development and implementation for eligible students. It is a nine-month contract with duties including collaboration with staff and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attend on a regular and predictable basis.
• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations at the times designated.
• Complete required evaluation procedures for students referred for special education service.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and review the IEP of each eligible student on the caseloads, at least annually.
• Effectively utilize available technology in the development of the IEP and related documents.
• Work with parents in all aspects of their child’s educational program.
• Prepare paperwork to transition students from Early Intervention and into kindergarten.
• Participate in training programs to increase skills and proficiency related to the assignment.

Education

Bachelor degree preferred

Job description

Special Education Teacher

Lee County Schools - AL Sanford Middle School - Opelika, Alabama Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Lee County Schools - AL

Job Details

Job ID: 5953333

Application Deadline: Oct 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)

Posted: Oct 06, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Nov 12, 2026

Job Description

Special Education Teacher

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must comply with all employment criteria legally established by the Lee County Board of Education.


• Must hold an appropriate Alabama Teacher Certificate in Special Education or Collaborative Education.


• Must meet the suitability criteria for employment as required by the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.


• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Background Check Required: (HB 402 ACT 99-361 Alabama Legislature) Upon offer of employment, employees will be required to submit legible fingerprints for a background review by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Investigation.

REPORTS TO: Principal

JOB GOAL: To teach life skills and basic communication and literacy in connection with the general education curriculum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Applicable to All Employees:

• Attend on a regular and predictable basis.


• Complete assigned tasks in a safe manner and in a constant state of alertness.


• Uphold Board policies, including the anti-harassment program.


• Work in a cooperative manner with students, teachers, staff, supervisors, and the public.


• Work effectively and efficiently under time and productivity standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Report for duty fifteen minutes before the opening of school and remain fifteen minutes after the close of school.


• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations at the times designated.


• Complete required evaluation procedures for students referred for special education service.


• Develop, implement, monitor, and review the Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) of each eligible student on the caseloads, at least annually.


• Effectively utilize available technology in the development of the IEP and related documents.


• Work with parents in all aspects of their child’s educational program.


• Compile, maintain and submit all required reports within mandatory timelines.


• Provide educational services according to the guidelines of the program and through the established delivery model for service.


• Implement instructional and assistive technology as determine by IEP.


• Assure all due process procedural safeguards are afforded students and their parents.


• Use special methodology for instruction according to the population needs.


• Use carefully designed behavior intervention strategies as indicated.


• Administer, on an on-going basis, evaluations of student progress toward mastery of established goals and objectives.


• Serve as a resource to the regular education teachers who teach mainstreamed disabled students.


• Perform special duties required for meeting the unique needs of specific population, i.e., lifting physically disabled.


• Prepare paperwork to transition students from Early Intervention and into kindergarten.


• Aid with self-help skills, i.e., bathroom, diapering, feeding.


• Participate in training programs to increase skills and proficiency related to the assignment.


• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with department heads, and assists the principal with the evaluation of their job performance.


• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.


• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.


• Creates an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards, and interest centers.


• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by professional growth activities.


• Participates cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with guidelines.


• Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records.


• Review current developments, literature, and technical source information related to job responsibilities.


• Ensure adherence to safety procedures.


• Follow federal and state laws, as well as Board policies.


• Perform any other pertinent assignment deemed necessary by the principal to assist in the efficiency and effectiveness of the classroom.

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. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift up to and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to compare, analyze, communicate, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills and compile. Occasionally required to copy and negotiate.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.

Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities. Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment. Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times.

EMPLOYMENT: This is a nine-month contract (187 days). Salary range is based on board approved salary schedule.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of Professional Personnel.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $48,629 to $96,819 Per Year

Job Categories:

Special Education > General Special Education

Special Education > Mild/Moderate Disabilities

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree preferred.


• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Steven A. Davis , Principal


• Sanford Middle School


• Email: [e-mail]