Special Education Teacher: Instructional Strategist II: ID (2026-27)

Urbandale Community School District; Urbandale (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Urbandale Community School District is seeking a Special Education Teacher to support students with disabilities through personalized instruction aligned with district benchmarks.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Education, BOEE licensure, and knowledge of IEP procedures. You will collaborate with building principals and district staff to implement individualized learning plans and participate in ongoing professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or BOEE approved alternative.
• Knowledge of IEP procedures and rights.
• Experience with disabilities and IEPs preferred.
• Experience with alternate assessment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates effective implementation of teaching standards and criteria.
• Meets professional responsibilities per policies.
• Develops a plan for professional growth with supervisor.
• Maintains reliable attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Effective instruction

Work with special needs

Emergency response

Best teaching practices

IEP procedures

Relationship building

Civil rights knowledge

Organize and communicate

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

BOEE licensure

Instructional Strategist II cert or willing

Tools

Office equipment

Job description

JOB TITLE: Special Education Teacher

CLASSIFICATION: Certified

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Building Principal

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Director of Special Education, Building administrators

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: Provide personalized learning that supports each student, more specifically special needs students, in achieving their potential. Engages in professional growth and fulfills professional responsibilities.

Please review the UCSD Actions of Excellence to gain an understanding of the expectations for UCSD employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

1. Ability to provide effective instruction to meet student needs relative to district benchmarks and standards.
2. Ability to work with physically impaired and special needs students on a daily basis.
3. Able to react quickly and calmly when an emergency arises.
4. Knowledge of "best practice" in teaching and of the developmental characteristics of students at the designated grade level.
5. Extensive knowledge of IEP procedures.
6. Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders.
7. Knowledge of Federal Rights and Privacy Act and other civil rights regulations.
8. Ability to organize and think clearly while communicating, organizing and evaluating.

Education

1. Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Education or Board of Educational Examiners approved alternative.

Certification/Licensure

1. Appropriate BOEE licensure.
2. Certification as an Instructional Strategist II: ID or Instructional Strategist II: BD/LD or willingness to obtain.

Experience

1. Experience teaching students with disabilities preferred.
2. Experience with IEPs preferred.
3. Experience with Alternate Assessment preferred.

Equipment

1. Office equipment such as computers, two-way radios, multi-line phone system, cell phone, copier, and fax machines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Demonstrates effective implementation of the eight Iowa Teaching Standards and 42 criteria.
2. Meets professional responsibilities as outlined in the Professional Growth Assessment Plan, Employee Handbook, and Board policy.
3. Develops, with their supervisor, a plan for professional growth.
4. Maintains a reliable attendance record.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS

1. None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Repetitious bending, lifting, and hand movement.
2. Ability to work while standing, moving and/or walking.
3. Drug, tobacco, and alcohol‑free while working.
4. Must be able to see and hear within normal limits with or without corrective lenses or hearing aids.
5. Ability to operate a motor vehicle used to travel between sites.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Majority of work is performed in an office or school setting.
2. Occasional meetings outside the school day.
3. Occasional exposure to body fluids, fumes, noise, and hazardous materials and emergency situations.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. Per Board Policies and the UEA Master Contract.
2. Performance evaluated per Board Policy and the Professional Growth Assessment Plan.