Special Education Teacher - 26/27 SY

Sunnyside USD 12; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunnyside USD 12 is hiring a Special Education Teacher in Tucson, AZ. The role focuses on developing academics, social skills, and daily living abilities using district-approved curriculum and documenting progress.

Responsibilities include adapting lessons, collaborating with staff and families, and maintaining records to track student growth and outcomes. A valid AZ Special Education certificate and fingerprint clearance are required, with potential endorsements as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and AZ Special Education certificate.
• IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card required; endorsements may be needed.
• Ability to adapt curriculum and address diverse student needs.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom work to support objectives.
• Collaborates with school personnel, parents, and community agencies to improve student outcomes.
• Prepares teaching materials and documents progress (grades, attendance, records).

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Arizona Special Education teaching certificate

IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Job description

Definition

The job of Special Education Teacher is done for the purpose/s of developing special education students' success in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living by implementing district approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities, outcomes; addressing students' specific needs; providing a safe and optimal learning environment; and providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class).

Tasks

Adapts classroom work for the purpose of providing a method to support and/or reinforce classroom objectives; Administers first aid and assistance to medically fragile children (e.g. tube feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for children as assigned; Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher's expectations, developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment; Assesses students' social needs (e.g. behavioral, motor development, communication, etc.), academic needs, progress, expectations, goals, etc. (e.g. developmental level, vocational abilities, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating students and family requirements, placement and success of the program; Collaborates with school personnel, parents and various community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum; Directs instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students; Instructs students for the purpose of improving their success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through a defined course of study; Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment; Prepares teaching materials and related reports (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and documenting student progress; Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, administrative and/or school policies; Participates in a variety of meetings for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions; Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge

Knowledge is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: age appropriate activities, bilingual (english/spanish) helpful, pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws, stages of child development, working knowledge of school system.

Skills

Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: analytical skills, applying assessment instruments, preparing and maintaining accurate records, promoting child centered environment, record keeping, verbal and written communication skills.

Ability

Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of types of job‑related equipment. In working with others, problem‑solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem‑solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem‑solving with equipment is moderate.

Specific Abilities

Required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting curriculum to meet needs of students, adapting to changing work priorities, addressing the learning styles of students, assessing learning outcomes achieved by students, communicating with students, creating and maintaining climate of respect, implementing activities that promote student learning, implementing classroom management techniques, maintaining confidentiality, meeting deadlines and schedules, planning instructional goals/outcomes for students, setting priorities, utilizing current technology, working as part of a team, working with detailed information/data, working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibilities

Include working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions.

Reasoning Ability

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

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an indoor environment. Work requires frequent sitting, standing, bending, repetitive motion, vision to monitor and lifting up to 15 pounds. The ability to perform this job's primary functions requires the ability to monitor and physically restrain children if necessary. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 5% sitting, 20% walking, and 75% standing. The job is performed under a generally hazard‑free environment.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in job related area. Valid Arizona Teaching Certificate in Special Education. Certain endorsement may be required for certain positions. Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Salary Grade

Refer to Certified Salary Schedule.

Full‑Time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Days

211

Start Date

2026/2027 School Year

Application Procedure

Apply online.