Teacher: Elementary Special Education Resource Teacher for Specials/Encore

Sylvania; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania District seeks a Special Education Specials/Encore Teacher to deliver adapted instruction across physical education, music, art, and life skills in self-contained classrooms. The role focuses on aligning activities with IEP goals and ensuring student engagement and safety.

Applicants should have a Michigan teaching certificate (special education preferred) and be prepared to collaborate with families and staff, collect data, and support students with diverse needs in a supportive

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate or ability to meet certification requirements.
• Special education certification preferred.
• Experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Experience planning and delivering adapted instruction preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use sound professional judgment.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collect and use student data to inform instruction.
• Ability to adapt instruction and materials based on student needs.
• Ability to support students with personal care, mobility, sensory, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver adapted specials/encore instruction for students in self-contained classrooms.
• Provide instruction in adaptive physical education, music, art, life skills, recreation, and social interaction.
• Modify instruction to meet developmental levels and IEP goals.
• Collaborate with teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and families.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation; participate in meetings and district programming.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Data-driven instruction

Professional judgment

Confidentiality

Education

Michigan teaching certificate

Special education certification preferred

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Special Education Specials/Encore Teacher

Position Summary

The Special Education Specials/Encore Teacher provides engaging, developmentally appropriate, and adaptive instruction for students in self-contained special education classrooms. This position supports student growth through structured experiences in physical education, music, art, functional life skills, adaptive life skills, recreation, communication, social interaction, and independence.

The teacher creates a safe, supportive, and enriching environment where students can participate meaningfully in specials/encore learning opportunities based on their individual strengths, needs, communication styles, and IEP goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver adapted specials/encore instruction for students in self-contained special education classrooms.
• Provide instruction and activities in areas such as:
• Adaptive physical education and movement
• Music and rhythm
• Art and creative expression
• Functional life skills
• Adaptive life skills
• Recreation and leisure skills
• Social interaction and communication
• Independence and participation routines
• Develop lesson plans that are structured, accessible, and aligned with students’ developmental levels, sensory needs, communication needs, and IEP goals.
• Modify instruction, materials, activities, and expectations so students can participate meaningfully and safely.
• Encourage students to engage in active learning through movement, hands‑on activities, choice‑making, communication, creativity, and social interaction.
• Support students in building functional skills that promote independence across school and community settings.
• Collaborate with special education teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and families to support student programming.
• Use appropriate accommodations, visual supports, adaptive equipment, sensory supports, communication systems, and behavior supports as needed.
• Collect and use data to monitor student participation, skill development, engagement, independence, and progress toward IEP‑related needs.
• Support students with a wide range of physical, cognitive, communication, sensory, behavioral, academic, and adaptive needs.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming learning environment.
• Model developmentally appropriate, respectful, and student‑centered practices.
• Support student regulation, transitions, routines, and participation across learning activities.
• Assist with student personal care needs when necessary, including toileting, hygiene, and bathroom accidents.
• Ensure the physical safety of students, which may require lifting, positioning, quick movement, or responding to unsafe situations.
• Supervise students during transitions, arrivals, departures, outdoor activities, and other assigned times.
• Communicate with families and staff regarding student participation, progress, needs, and celebrations.
• Participate in IEP team discussions as appropriate and provide input related to student participation, adaptive skills, functional needs, and specials/encore programming.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and communication as required.
• Participate in professional learning, staff meetings, special events, and district programming as assigned.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises students during instructional activities, transitions, specials/encore programming, and assigned school routines. May provide direction and support to paraprofessionals, student aides, volunteers, or other support staff during classroom activities.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate, or ability to meet certification requirements for the position.
• Special education certification preferred.
• Experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Experience planning and delivering adapted instruction preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with students, families, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use sound professional judgment.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to collect and use student data to inform instruction.
• Ability to adapt instruction and materials based on student needs.
• Ability to support students with personal care, mobility, sensory, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Warmth, patience, flexibility, consistency, empathy, and reliability.
• Strong understanding of students with moderate to significant support needs.
• Ability to create inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for students with a wide range of abilities.
• Comfort with adaptive physical education, music, art, recreation, and functional life skills instruction.
• Ability to use visual supports, communication systems, sensory strategies, and behavior supports.
• Strong classroom management and student engagement skills.
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative special education team.
• Commitment to helping students build independence, confidence, communication, and participation skills.

Physical Requirements

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and move quickly when needed.
• Assist students with mobility, positioning, personal care, and adaptive equipment.
• Lift or support students in accordance with district procedures and student safety plans.
• Participate in indoor and outdoor physical activities.
• Respond quickly to student safety needs.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates must submit, via the Districts on‑line application system, a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and copy of current education credential.

Compensation Package

A competitive salary combined with a comprehensive fringe benefit package will be offered to the successful applicant.

EOE