Special Education Teacher Grades K-6 (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

Extra duty stipends

Teacher mentor program

Job summary

Fort Osage School District is hiring for the 2026-2027 school year. The position offers a starting salary of $45,200 with a focus on Mild/Moderate Special Education at elementary and upper elementary buildings.

The district provides a competitive salary schedule, optional fully paid health insurance, and opportunities for extra duty stipends. Responsibilities include delivering instruction, assessing student progress, collaborating with staff, developing behavior plans, and maintaining

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom work to provide instructional strategies addressing individualized learning plans.
• Administers assessments to measure student competency levels.
• Collaborates with teachers and staff to implement curriculum and student plans.
• Develops and implements behavior plans to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Directs assistant teachers, student teachers, and substitutes to support classroom programs.
• Maintains open communication with parents/guardians about student progress.

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 andadministrator discretion. Current openings include resource/CWC special education positions at elementary K-4 buildings and the upper elementary 5-6th building.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