Special Education Teacher/Functional Life Skills

ServingSchools; Skowhegan (ME); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative professional culture

Ongoing professional learning

Student-centered programming

Strong partnerships with families and

Job summary

MSAD 54 is seeking a compassionate Elementary Teacher to lead our Functional Life Skills Program for grades K–5 at Margaret Chase Smith Community School. You will design individualized instruction aligned with each student's IEP goals and collaborate with a Special Education Teacher and educational technicians to support up to 10 students with diverse needs.

You will foster a safe, structured classroom, monitor progress with data, and partner with families and related service providers to ensure

Qualifications

• Maine General Elementary Teacher Certification (or eligibility).
• Experience working with students with diverse learning, communication, and behavioral needs preferred.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary educational teams preferred.
• Maine 282 Special Education Certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver instruction aligned with each student's IEP goals.
• Create engaging instruction that promotes communication, independence, social development, and functional life skills.
• Lead daily classroom instruction while collaborating closely with the classroom Special Education Teacher.
• Coordinate and provide direction for a team of educational technicians to ensure consistent implementation of instructional and behavioral supports.
• Foster a positive, structured, and nurturing classroom environment where every student can succeed.
• Monitor student progress and use data to adjust instruction and supports.
• Collaborate with families, related service providers, administrators, and other educators to ensure coordinated support for each student.
• Participate as an active member of each student's educational team, including IEP meetings and progress monitoring.

Skills

Differentiated instruction

IEP goals

Collaborative teaching

Family and team collaboration

Education

Maine General Elementary Teacher Certification (or eligibility)

Maine 282 Special Education Certification (preferred)

Job description

Help Every Child Build Skills For Life. MSAD 54 is seeking a compassionate, innovative, and student-centered Elementary Teacher to serve as the lead teacher in our Functional Life Skills Program for students in grades K?5. This unique position provides an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping students develop the academic, communication, social, behavioral, and functional life skills needed to achieve greater independence and success.

Margaret Chase Smith Community School

Grade K-5

Help Every Child Build Skills For Life. MSAD 54 is seeking a compassionate, innovative, and student-centered Elementary Teacher to serve as the lead teacher in our Functional Life Skills Program for students in grades K?5. This unique position provides an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping students develop the academic, communication, social, behavioral, and functional life skills needed to achieve greater independence and success.

Working in coordination with a Special Education Teacher, related service providers, and a dedicated team of educational technicians, the successful candidate will lead a highly collaborative classroom serving up to 10 students with individualized learning needs. Together, the team creates a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment where every student is challenged, celebrated, and empowered to reach their full potential.

At MSAD 54, we believe every student deserves to feel safe, welcomed, respected, and valued while receiving an education that prepares them for lifelong success.

A Team-Based Approach to Student Success

This position is ideal for an educator who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys working closely with a team to design meaningful learning experiences for students with diverse abilities.

As The Lead Classroom Teacher, You Will

• Design and deliver individualized instruction aligned with each student's IEP goals
• Create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that promote communication, independence, social development, and functional life skills
• Lead daily classroom instruction while collaborating closely with the classroom Special Education Teacher
• Coordinate and provide direction for a team of educational technicians to ensure consistent implementation of instructional and behavioral supports
• Foster a positive, structured, and nurturing classroom environment where every student can succeed
• Monitor student progress and use data to adjust instruction and supports
• Collaborate with families, related service providers, administrators, and other educators to ensure coordinated support for each student
• Participate as an active member of each student's educational team, including IEP meetings and progress monitoring

A Collaborative School Community

• Special Education Teachers
• Educational Technicians
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Occupational and Physical Therapists
• School Counselors and Clinical Staff
• School Psychologists
• Administrators and District Support Staff
• Families and Community Partners

Together, we develop individualized programming that supports the whole child while fostering meaningful relationships and student growth.

What We Value In Educators

• Believe every child can learn and deserves opportunities to succeed
• Build strong, positive relationships with students and families
• Create structured, engaging, and inclusive learning environments
• Value collaboration and teamwork
• Demonstrate positivity, flexibility, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills
• Lead with curiosity, patience, compassion, and high expectations
• Enjoy mentoring and working alongside educational technicians to provide exceptional student support

Qualifications

• Maine General Elementary Teacher Certification (or eligibility)
• Experience working with students with diverse learning, communication, and behavioral needs preferred
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary educational teams preferred
• Maine 282 Special Education Certification is preferred but not required

Why MSAD 54?

MSAD 54 Is a Forward-thinking District Committed To Supporting The Whole Child While Providing Exceptional Opportunities For Both Students And Staff. Our Educators Benefit From

• A collaborative and supportive professional culture
• Strong partnerships between general education, special education, and related service providers
• Ongoing professional learning
• Student-centered programming focused on meaningful growth and independence
• A district committed to innovation, inclusion, and building strong relationships with families and the community

EOE