Special Education Teacher

The Creekside School; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision

401(k) with 4% match

7 weeks PTO

Professional development

Job summary

The Creekside School in San Jose seeks a compassionate Special Education Teacher who designs individualized learning around each student’s interests and needs. You’ll work with paraprofessionals, therapists, and families to create meaningful, measurable goals and engaging experiences in a supportive setting.

You will adapt instruction for autism with significant support needs, foster communication and daily living skills, and guide the multidisciplinary team to promote independence and dignity

Qualifications

• Experience teaching students with autism and significant support needs.
• Skills in individualized instruction, IEP development, and monitoring student progress.
• Collaborative approach with paraprofessionals, specialists, and families.
• Patience, curiosity, flexibility, and commitment to each student’s dignity.
• Willingness to reflect and adjust methods with each learner.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement IEPs with meaningful, measurable goals.
• Adapt instruction to students’ strengths, interests, preferences, and support needs.
• Teach functional academics, communication, social skills, and daily living skills.
• Support emotional, sensory, and behavioral regulation with guidance from the multidisciplinary team.
• Incorporate student choice and assent in a respectful classroom.
• Use observations and progress data to refine instruction and celebrate growth.
• Help students apply skills through community outings and everyday experiences.
• Guide classroom support staff and maintain communication with families.

Skills

Autism experience

IEP development

Individualized instruction

Collaboration

Patience & flexibility

Data-driven instruction

Job description

Help students build meaningful, connected lives

At The Creekside School, we get to know each student ~ their interests, strengths, communication, and support needs ~ and build learning around that understanding.

We are a nonpublic school serving students with profound autism in San Jose. Founded by families seeking an education that truly met their children’s needs, Creekside brings that same commitment to individual students and family partnership into our work today.

We’re seeking a thoughtful, creative Special Education Teacher who values relationships, welcomes collaboration, and finds purpose in helping students develop communication, independence, and skills they can use throughout their lives.

Your role

You’ll create engaging, individualized learning experiences alongside paraprofessionals, therapists, and families. Your work will include:

• Developing and implementing IEPs with meaningful, measurable goals.
• Adapting instruction to students’ strengths, interests, preferences, and support needs.
• Teaching functional academics, communication, social skills, and daily living skills.
• Supporting emotional, sensory, and behavioral regulation with guidance from the multidisciplinary team.
• Incorporating student choice and assent into a respectful, responsive classroom.
• Using observations and progress data to refine instruction and celebrate growth.
• Helping students apply skills through community outings and everyday experiences.
• Guiding classroom support staff and maintaining consistent communication with families.

What you’ll bring

• Experience teaching students with autism and significant support needs.
• Skills in individualized instruction, IEP development, and monitoring student progress.
• A collaborative approach to working with paraprofessionals, specialists, and families.
• Patience, curiosity, flexibility, and a commitment to each student’s dignity.
• A willingness to reflect, ask questions, and adjust your approach as you learn what works for each student.

Why Creekside?

Our small classes, full-time paraprofessional support, and six-acre campus give teachers space and resources to create meaningful learning experiences. You’ll collaborate with specialists in speech, occupational therapy, behavior, music, art, and mental health.

Our approach makes room for joy, honors individual preferences, and treats families as essential partners.

Benefits include:

• Fully paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• Fully vested 401(k) with a 4% company match.
• Seven weeks of paid time off according to the school calendar, plus holiday pay.
• Professional development across disciplines and shared planning time.