Special Education Teacher, Level III Elementary Program

Brainerd Public Schools; Nisswa (MN); On-site; USD 46,936 - 90,238; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

LTD

403(b) plan

PTO/ESST

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools seeks a collaborative Special Education Lead Teacher for a 1.0 FTE K-5 Level III program at Nisswa Elementary School. This role supports students with EBD/ASD/OHD and related needs, delivering IEP-driven instruction and ensuring compliance across settings.

The teacher will provide case management, progress monitoring and coordination of services, working with families and school teams to promote student growth and access to inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minnesota special education licensure required.
• Experience and knowledge in IEP development and implementation.
• Ability to manage a Level III elementary program.

Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver and monitor specially designed instruction aligned with each student’s IEP and Brainerd Public Schools curriculum.
• Develop, implement and maintain evaluations, IEPs, progress reports and related documentation within established timelines.
• Monitor and coordinate IEP implementation including goals, services and accommodations.
• Communicate student progress and collaborate with the IEP team to adjust instruction and supports as needed.
• Serve as the teacher of record for students or content areas as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Coaching

Problem solving

Multigrade instruction

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Minnesota licensure required

Job description

Assignment Details

Position Title: Special Education Lead Teacher (K-5)
Department/Building: Nisswa Elementary School
Reports to: Building Principal – Molly Raske
Assignment: 2026-2027 School Year – Ongoing
Hours: 8 per day, Monday through Friday (184 Duty Days – may change with new contract ratification)
Salary Range: $46,936 – $90,238 (based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Certified Master Contract located on district website)
Union: Ed MN
FLSA: Overtime Exempt

Benefits

Health, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, TRA, 403(b) and PTO/ESST

Position Summary

Nisswa Elementary School seeks a collaborative, organized, student-centered Special Education Teacher for a 1.0 FTE kindergarten‑through‑grade‑five Level III program.

The school serves preschool through grade five, typically with two sections at each grade level and occasionally a third for larger cohorts.

This position primarily supports students receiving services in Emotional or Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Other Health Disabilities and related individualized educational needs.

Students may receive significant portions of instruction within the special education setting or participate in a combination of special education and general education environments, as determined by their Individualized Education Programs.

The teacher will provide case management, specially designed instruction, behavioral support, progress monitoring and coordinated services across settings.

Essential Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver and monitor specially designed instruction aligned with each student's IEP, Minnesota academic standards and Brainerd Public Schools curriculum.
• Develop, implement and maintain accurate, legally compliant evaluations, IEPs, prior written notices, progress reports, service records, behavior plans and other required documentation within established timelines.
• Monitor and coordinate IEP implementation, including goals, direct services, service minutes, accommodations, modifications, behavioral supports, assistive technology and related services.
• Use evaluation results, baseline information, classroom performance, curriculum‑based measures, behavioral data and formal and informal assessments to guide instruction and monitor student progress.
• Clearly communicate student progress and initiate collaborative problem solving when a student is not making expected progress; work with the IEP team to adjust instruction, interventions, services, goals or supports as needed.
• Serve as the teacher of record, as assigned by the district, for students or complete content areas in which the teacher provides primary instruction. Complete report cards, progress reports and required instructional records.
• Support students receiving instruction within the Level III setting and those participating in general education classrooms, specialists and other school environments.
• Ensure students have meaningful access to instruction, peers, activities and the least restrictive environment identified by the IEP team.
• Identify and remove instructional, behavioral, communication, sensory, environmental or scheduling barriers that interfere with student participation or progress.
• Collaborate with families, the site administrator, district administrators, certified staff, fellow case managers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers and other district personnel.
• Coordinate shared services and student support within Nisswa Elementary School to ensure direct and indirect services required by student IEPs are provided.
• Provide daily direction, scheduling, training, coaching and monitoring to paraprofessionals assigned to the program or individual students.
• Ensure paraprofessionals understand and implement assigned portions of student IEPs, behavior plans, communication supports, accommodations, modifications and safety plans.
• Build positive and respectful relationships with students, families and colleagues and contribute to a professional culture of shared responsibility for student success.
• Demonstrate openness to coaching and professional feedback and a willingness to reflect upon and apply guidance from the site administrator, district leaders, special education staff and professional colleagues.
• Attend and actively participate in required district, building, curriculum, special education, safety and professional development activities.
• Complete district‑required training in positive behavioral supports, crisis prevention, de‑escalation, emergency response and restrictive procedures.
• When trained, assigned and legally authorized, participate in district‑approved emergency physical interventions only when immediate action is necessary to protect a student or another individual from physical injury and in accordance with Minnesota law and district procedures.
• Maintain student and family confidentiality and perform all responsibilities in accordance with federal and Minnesota special education law, PELSB requirements, the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers, district policies and each student's IEP.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position and assigned by the site administrator or district administration.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Preferred experience in a special education setting; demonstrated knowledge of special education evaluation, IEP development and implementation, due process, progress monitoring, positive behavioral supports, service delivery and least restrictive environment requirements is required.
• Special Skills: Ability to provide specially designed instruction across multiple elementary grade levels and manage a multigrade Level III program; organize instruction, IEP services, staff schedules, student data and legal timelines; strong communication, collaboration, leadership, coaching, mediation and problem‑solving skills; work effectively with families, staff, the site administrator and district personnel; receive and apply professional feedback; remain calm, organized and student‑focused during behavioral or safety concerns; perform essential functions of the position, including student supervision and safety responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Major: Special Education, Education or a closely related field that meets Minnesota licensure requirements.
• License Required: Valid Minnesota special education teaching license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board appropriate to the students, disability areas and services assigned.
• Applicable licensure fields may include Academic and Behavioral Strategist, or another applicable Minnesota special education license or approved permission determined by Brainerd Public Schools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Minnesota Tier 3 or Tier 4 license in Emotional or Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Academic and Behavioral Strategist or another applicable special education field.
• Successful experience providing instruction and case management for students receiving services under EBD, ASD, OHD, SLD or related disability categories.
• Experience in a Level III, self‑contained or comparable elementary special education setting.
• Experience supporting students across special education and general education environments.
• Experience using data to guide instruction, monitor progress and support team‑based decision making.
• Experience completing evaluations, IEPs, prior written notices, progress reports and due process documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Experience serving as teacher of record and completing report cards and instructional progress reports.
• Experience directing, coaching and monitoring paraprofessionals.
• Experience with positive behavioral interventions, functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, communication supports, assistive technology, visual supports and sensory regulation strategies.

Other Position Information

This position is located at Nisswa Elementary School, part of Brainerd Public Schools, and serves students in kindergarten through grade five.

Employment is contingent upon verification of appropriate Minnesota licensure, satisfactory professional references, completion of all legally required background checks and fulfillment of Brainerd Public Schools employment requirements.

Applicants must provide complete and truthful information regarding professional licensure and any disciplinary action required to be disclosed by law. The selected candidate must hold an active license in good standing and be legally eligible to perform the assigned responsibilities.

Application Procedure

Apply online at www.isd181.org (JobID 1324). Please include copies of your transcripts and teaching license with your application materials.

Brainerd Public Schools is an equal‑opportunity employer.