Special Education Teacher - Kinderpath Program

Fitzgerald Public Schools; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Fitzgerald Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Teacher for the Kinderpath Program at Schofield Early Childhood Center for the 2026-2027 school year. The role involves developing and delivering individualized instructional plans and employing current teaching strategies to support PreK-K students with cognitive and communication needs.

The candidate should hold a Michigan teaching certificate with endorsed certifications in SA Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder, and have

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Endorsements in SA Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder (SV) required.
• Background in child development with emphasis on language, communication, and cognitive development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on course planning, skill assessment, and instruction.
• Participate in professional development and implement best practices.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning for PreK-K students.
• Assess student progress and develop individual learning plans.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Data-driven instruction

Curriculum adaptation

Education

State-issued Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsements in SA Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder

Job description

POSITION: Special Education Teacher - Kinderpath Program

LOCATION: Schofield Early Childhood Center

WORK YEAR: 2026-2027 School Year

SALARY: Per FEA Contract

Who we are

At Fitzgerald Public Schools, our mission is to inspire, empower and prepare today's learner to become tomorrow's leader. Our vision is to educate our future leaders to be Focused, Progressive and Successful. Our strategic plan includes: providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum; a multi-tiered system of supports; considerations for the whole school, whole child and whole community; engaging all families; data-based decision making; communication and collective responsibility. From our humble beginnings in 1920, Fitzgerald Public Schools is a community of 2,200 students with 350 staff members. We are proud of our early childhood center for grades PreK-K, our two elementary schools, one for lower elementary grades 1-3 and one for upper elementary grades 4-5, our middle school serving grades 6-8 with one of the planetariums in the county, our high school for grades 9-12 with a state of the art automotive service center, and our virtual academy. We have an award winning athletic program, marching band and our own foodservice, transportation, custodial and maintenance teams. Through our partnership with a local provider, we also offer school age child care.

What We Offer

Fitzgerald Public Schools has a competitive salary and benefits package along with opportunities for advancement and leadership. We are small enough to enable us to know each other personally and large enough to maintain high standards that demonstrate our expertise in education. With the passing of our recent bond, we have buildings, classrooms, cafeterias and offices in the process of being transformed for the future.

Description

Provides for instruction of students by developing, selecting, and modifying instructional plans and materials and presenting them using current instructional techniques which meet the needs of all students. Provides an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of students. Supervises students in a variety of school-related settings and activities. Monitors and evaluates student performance while developing and implementing plans to improve student performance. Maintains required records and follows required procedures and practices.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Endorsements in SA Cognitive Impairment or Autism Spectrum Disorder (SV) required;
• Prior ASD teaching experience preferred;
• Background in child development with special emphasis on language, communication, and cognitive development;
• Understanding of behavioral intervention techniques to support individual student and program structure, including the use of data from functional behavior analysis to guide the development of behavior intervention supports;
• Training with programs: START, TEACCH, Floor Time, ABA, P.B.I.S., CPI etc. preferred;
• Ability to develop curriculum with special emphasis on personal adjustment, regulation of emotions, communication, social skills and academics;
• Experience with data driven decision making;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for collaboration & course planning, skill assessment, & instruction.
• Participate in professional development and implement best practices.
• Demonstrate ability to collaborate effectively and efficiently with others.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Administers and Develops subject specific assessments for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Accommodates the learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as required.
• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by administration.