Special Education Teacher Grades 7-12 (26-27 School Year)

Fort Osage; Independence (MO); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid health insurance

Mentor program

Extra duty stipends

Job summary

Fort Osage School District is seeking a Dedicated Special Education teacher for the 2026-2027 school year at our 7th-8th grade middle school. Starting salary is $45,200 with potential for steps on the district salary schedule; benefits include optional fully paid health insurance and opportunities for extra duty stipends.

Missouri Mild/Moderate Special Education certification is required. The teacher will collaborate with a Process Coordinator and administrators to support student success,

Qualifications

• Certification in Mild/Moderate Special Education is required.
• Responsibilities include developing lesson plans, delivering instruction, and collaborating with staff to meet student needs.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom work for individualized learning plans.
• Administers assessments to measure student progress.
• Collaborates with teachers to implement curriculum and student plans.
• Develops behavior plans to create a safe learning environment.
• Directs assistant teachers and substitutes as needed.
• Maintains open communication with parents regarding progress.
• Responds to emergencies to ensure safety.

Skills

Differentiated instruction

Collaboration

Classroom management

Lesson planning

Education

Missouri Certification in Mild/Moderate Special Education

Job description

This position is for the 2026-2027 school year. Salary is based on the adopted salary schedule for the 25-26 school year at this time (starting salary= $45,200). We accept all previous years in certificated teaching roles as steps on the salary schedule.

The position will be hired now, but placed as positions come available, based on employee experiences and administrator discretion. Current openings include resource/CWC special education positions at our 7th-8th grade middle school. Our special education teachers work as a team, with support from a building Process Coordinator and building administrators.

The Fort Osage School District prioritizes a highly competitive salary schedule, with additional benefits including optional fully paid health insurance and opportunities for extra duty stipend opportunities and more. New teacher mentor program available for all first and second year teachers.

Valid Missouri Certification in Mild/Moderate Special Education is required.

For questions or to learn more, reach out to Dr. Leigh Gruber, Executive Director of Student Support Services (816-650-7015) or to the Human Resources Department (816-650-7004).

Purpose Statement

The job of Teacher is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing student success in academics (e.g. reading, writing, language, math, etc.) or skills (e.g. art, music, physical education etc.) supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans, strategies, and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines; collaborating with teachers, other professional staff, and administrators to meet the needs of students; and maintaining open communication with parents or guardians regarding instructional programs and student progress.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional strategies and methods and materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Administers subject specific assessments and tests for the purpose of assessing the levels of students' competencies.
• Assesses student progress toward standards, expectations and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration.
• Collaborates with other classroom teachers for the purpose of implementing established curriculum/individual student plans and ensuring the success of assigned students.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents and a variety of community resource organizations for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes and achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, attendance, problem solving techniques, and a variety of personal issues.
• Demonstrates instructional methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements and/or student success.
• Develops and implements behavior plans for the purpose of providing a safe learning environment.
• Directs assistant teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Instructs students and/or provides lesson plans for substitutes for the purpose of improving their success in academics through a defined course of study.
• Maintains open communication with students / parents / guardians regarding student progress, expectations, concerns and direction for the purpose of reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Maintains formal and informal data for all students in building for the purpose of ensuring the student data is accurate.
• Monitors students in a variety of locations and professional development workshops (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and professional development workshops for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Prepares a variety of written materials in collaboration with other staff members for the purpose of providing feedback, documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• 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, school policies and all relevant laws.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing issues to the appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues and providing information and/or direction.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; monitoring budget expenditures. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to effect the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment and in a clean atmosphere.

Clearances

Criminal Background Check

Family Care Registry

FLSA Status

Exempt

Purpose Statement

The job of Teacher is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing student success in academics (e.g. reading, writing, language, math, etc.) or skills (e.g. art, music, physical education etc.) supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans, strategies, and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines; collaborating with teachers, other professional staff, and administrators to meet the needs of students; and maintaining open communication with parents or guardians regarding instructional programs and student progress.

This job reports to Principal

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional strategies and methods and materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Administers subject specific assessments and tests for the purpose of assessing the levels of students' competencies.
• Assesses student progress toward standards, expectations and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration.
• Collaborates with other classroom teachers for the purpose of implementing established curriculum/individual student plans and ensuring the success of assigned students.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents and a variety of community resource organizations for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes and achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, attendance, problem solving techniques, and a variety of personal issues.
• Demonstrates instructional methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements and/or student success.
• Develops and implements behavior plans for the purpose of providing a safe learning environment.
• Directs assistant teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Instructs students and/or provides lesson plans for substitutes for the purpose of improving their success in academics through a defined course of study.
• Maintains open communication with students / parents / guardians regarding student progress, expectations, concerns and direction for the purpose of reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Maintains formal and informal data for all students in building for the purpose of ensuring the student data is accurate.
• Monitors students in a variety of locations and professional development workshops (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and professional development workshops for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Prepares a variety of written materials in collaboration with other staff members for the purpose of providing feedback, documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• 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, school policies and all relevant laws.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing issues to the appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues and providing information and/or direction.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including use of pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific Knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: appropriate codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; age appropriate activities; District policies and procedures; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; and behavioral management strategies.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related 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 standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent 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 Ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; exhibiting tact and patience; and working flexible hours.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness. .

Experience:

Job related experience is desired.

Education:

Bachelors degree in job-related area.

Certificates and Licenses

Teaching Credential

Continuing Educ. / Training:

Continuing Education Requirements

Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance

FLSA Status

Exempt