Special Education Teacher - Dakota Ridge - Skills

Independent School District 196; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Independent School District 196 seeks a Special Education Skills Teacher (1.0 FTE) to join the Dakota Ridge program. The teacher will support students with functional, academic and self-regulation needs, using culturally responsive practices and the district curriculum.

Responsibilities include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, implementing IEPs and Behavior Support Plans, and advocating for students to ensure high achievement within least restrictive settings. Apply by 11/18/2026.

Qualifications

• Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education in ASD, EBD, DCD, or LD (Dual licensure preferred).
• Strong general education background.
• Experience serving persons from diverse cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Growth mindset with strengths-based development of academic and social/emotional skills.
• Ability to work efficiently with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Positive relationships with students, staff and community.
• Experience in schools or with birth-21 populations.
• Ability to implement IEPs and Behavior Support Plans.
• Collaboration with nursing staff for delegated health tasks.
• Directing paraprofessionals and supporting staff.
• Knowledge of best practices in special education and hands-on routines.
• Willingness to complete PCM training and implement restrictive procedures if needed.
• Understanding of comprehensive evaluations.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations in special education.
• Experience with diverse school communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support students in Skills program addressing functional, academic and self-regulation needs.
• Teach curriculum of Independent School District 196.
• Develop culturally responsive practices for equitable outcomes.
• Provide proactive support for emotional regulation difficulties.
• Teach strategies to develop social-emotional skills for success.
• Collaborate to plan, teach and support students with disabilities in least restrictive environments.
• Advocate for students to ensure high achievement levels.
• Communicate with staff, parents and professionals to support students.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication

Collaborate with multidisciplinary

Experience with diverse cultures

Growth mindset

IEP/Behavior Plan facilitation

Follow directions and procedures

Education

Minnesota special education licensure (ASD/EBD/DCD/LD)

Job description

Description

Special Education Teacher - 1.0 FTE

Special Education Skills Teacher (previously DCD) Dakota Ridge

Effective Date Of Employment

ASAP

Application Deadline

November 18, 2026 4:00 p.m.

Job Summary

• Dakota Ridge is a highly structured and specialized educational environment.
• Support students in the Skills program which serves students who have educational needs in functional, academic and self-regulation skills. Students may receive instruction in the classroom, community environments and/or job training sites, as specified in the individual education plan.
• Teach curriculum of Independent School District 196.
• Develop and demonstrate culturally responsive practices that lead to equitable outcomes for all students, particularly those groups of students that are over-represented in special education.
• Demonstrate proactive response to support students with emotional regulation difficulties.
• Provide instruction in strategies to support students in developing social emotional skills for success.
• Demonstrate current knowledge of various forms of assistive technology to support students in accessing the appropriate tools for efficiency.
• Employ high expectations for students using a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media.
• Collaborate with others to plan, teach and support students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
• Advocate for students with disabilities to ensure high levels of achievement.
• Promote and develop strong communication and collaboration with staff, parents and other professionals.
• Carry out responsibilities as defined by the master contract.

Qualifications

• Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education in ASD, EBD, DCD, or LD (Dual special education licensure preferred).
• Strong general education background.
• Experience working with and providing service to persons of diverse cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Evidence of a growth mindset and ability to accelerate growth in academic and social/emotional skills using a strengths based model.
• Ability to work efficiently, effectively, and cooperatively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to relate positively to students, staff, and community.
• Experience working in a school setting or with children ages birth through 21.
• Ability to follow directions and procedures and facilitate collaborative teaming around students.
• Ability to facilitate, write and implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Support Plans.
• Ability to collaborate with nursing staff to support and perform the necessary delegated health tasks.
• Ability to direct the work of paraprofessionals and an understanding of practices for training and supporting paraprofessionals.
• Knowledge of best practices in the field of special education and implementation strategies for sensory activities, positive behavior support, academic instruction, development of routines, etc.
• Willingness to complete training in Professional Crisis Management(PCM) and implement restrictive procedures, if needed.
• Understanding and ability to conduct a comprehensive evaluation.
• Thorough understanding of the laws, rules and regulations of special education.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

Responsible To

Building Principal and Special Education Coordinator

Compensation / Benefits

According to contractual agreement.

If benefit eligible, benefits are available to new employees effective the first day of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick-leave, state pension plan, tax-deferred retirement savings account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, holidays or personal leave. Benefit information is available at Employee Benefits - Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.

District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.

District 196 has 20 elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-22. The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status,* disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, membership or activity in a local human rights commission,* age or genetic information.* District 196 provides equal access to designated youth groups.

The Director of Human Resources, Joel Milteer (651-423-7859 [e-mail]) is the designated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education, Jeremy Sorenson (651-423-7782 [e-mail]) and the Director of Secondary Education, Eric Hansen (651-423-7712 [e-mail]) have been designated to respond to student-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special Education, Janet Fimmen (651-423-7629 [e-mail]) has been designated to respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

• Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.