Teacher - Physical Education Elementary Alcalde/Dixon/Velarde

Alcalde Elementary; Alcalde (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcalde Elementary is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to support students with disabilities across Velarde, Alcalde, and Dixon sites. The role requires developing IEPs, coordinating with families and staff, and delivering specialized instruction within Least Restrictive Environment guidelines.

The position emphasizes collaboration, data-driven instruction, and adherence to IDEA, 504, ADA, FERPA, and ESSA requirements while maintaining compliance with district policies.

Qualifications

• Valid New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Teaching License with Special Education endorsement(s).
• Properly certified in all assigned instructional areas and grade levels.
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, ESSA, and New Mexico Special Education Regulations.
• Successful completion of required criminal background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide specially designed instruction aligned with New Mexico Academic Standards and district curriculum.
• Develop and implement individualized instructional programs addressing each student's needs.
• Differentiate instruction using evidence-based strategies and adapt curriculum and assessments as required by IEPs.
• Develop and monitor IEPs and document accommodations, modifications, and services.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and families to ensure appropriate services and support.

Education

NMPED Teaching License (Special Education)

Bilingual Endorsement (Spanish/English)

Job description

Teacher - Physical Education Elementary Alcalde/Dixon/Velarde

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Title: Special Education Teacher

Work Unit/Location: Velarde .5 FTE, Alcalde .25 FTE, Dixon .25 FTE

Reports to: Site Principal

Supervises: assigned students

Contract Length: 163 days (4 Day Weeks)

Pay Schedule: Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Nurses, and Social

Overtime Status: N/A

Hours: 7:16 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Union Status: Union

Licensure: NMPED

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

The Special Education Teacher provides specialized instruction, educational support, and case management services to students with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Special Education Regulations, and district policies. The Special Education Teacher develops, implements, and monitors Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that provide students access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

The Special Education Teacher collaborates with general education teachers, related service providers, families, administrators, and community agencies to ensure students receive appropriate specially designed instruction, accommodations, modifications, behavioral supports, transition services, and related services necessary to achieve educational success. The teacher promotes high academic expectations, independence, self-advocacy, inclusion, and positive behavioral supports while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and district requirements.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Teaching License with appropriate Special Education endorsement(s) for assignment.
• Properly certified in all assigned instructional areas and grade levels.
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, ESSA, and New Mexico Special Education Regulations.
• Knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices for students with disabilities.
• Successful completion of required criminal background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual Endorsement (Spanish/English).
• Experience serving students with diverse disabilities.
• Experience in inclusive instructional practices and co-teaching.
• Experience with Multi-Layered Systems of Support (MLSS/MTSS).
• Experience with behavior intervention planning and functional behavioral assessments.
• Experience with Medicaid School-Based Services documentation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• IDEA and New Mexico Special Education Regulations.
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) development.
• Specially Designed Instruction (SDI).
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Differentiated instruction.
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Multi-Layered Systems of Support (MLSS/MTSS).
• Evidence-based interventions.
• Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA).
• Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).
• Transition planning.
• Curriculum adaptation and modification.
• Progress monitoring and data collection.
• Assistive technology.
• Medicaid School-Based Services.
• Student Information Systems (NOVA) and electronic IEP platforms.
• New Mexico academic content standards and graduation requirements, as applicable.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement standards-based instruction.
• Deliver individualized and small-group instruction.
• Develop compliant IEPs.
• Maintain accurate documentation.
• Analyze student data to improve instruction.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Maintain positive relationships with families.
• Manage multiple priorities and timelines.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction

• Provide specially designed instruction aligned with New Mexico Academic Content Standards and district curriculum.
• Develop and implement individualized instructional programs that address each student's unique educational needs.
• Differentiate instruction using evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Adapt curriculum, instructional materials, and assessments to meet student needs.
• Implement accommodations and modifications identified in student IEPs.
• Utilize Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
• Promote student independence and self-advocacy.
• Foster academic, behavioral, communication, social-emotional, and functional skill development.
• Provide instruction individually, in small groups, and in inclusive classroom settings.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Case Management

• Serve as the case manager for assigned students.
• Develop legally compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Conduct annual IEP meetings within required timelines.
• Complete reevaluations in accordance with IDEA and New Mexico regulations.
• Ensure reevaluation planning begins sufficiently in advance to meet all required timelines.
• Schedule and facilitate Educational Appraisal and Review (EA&R) meetings and eligibility determination meetings.
• Develop measurable Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs).
• Develop measurable annual goals and short-term objectives when required.
• Document accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, assistive technology, transportation needs, and transition services, when applicable.
• Monitor implementation of all IEP services.
• Ensure procedural safeguards are followed.
• Maintain compliance with all special education timelines.

Assessment and Progress Monitoring

• Administer curriculum-based assessments and other educational assessments within certification and training.
• Collect and analyze student performance data.
• Monitor progress toward IEP goals.
• Prepare quarterly or periodic progress reports.
• Use assessment data to adjust instructional strategies.
• Participate in statewide and district assessment programs in accordance with NMPED requirements.
• Collaborate with evaluation teams during comprehensive evaluations and reevaluations.

Inclusive Practices

• Collaborate with general education teachers to support inclusive educational programming.
• Participate in co-teaching and consultation models, as appropriate.
• Assist in implementing accommodations and modifications within general education classrooms.
• Promote student access to grade-level curriculum whenever appropriate.
• Support students in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

Behavioral Supports

• Develop and implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Assist in conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs).
• Implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Utilize de-escalation strategies and restorative practices.
• Promote positive classroom management and student engagement.
• Maintain safe and orderly learning environments.

Transition Planning

For students age 14 and older, or as otherwise required by New Mexico regulations:

• Develop transition plans aligned with NMPED requirements.
• Coordinate transition assessments.
• Support development of measurable post-secondary goals.
• Coordinate with vocational programs, colleges, agencies, and community partners.
• Promote employment readiness, independent living skills, and post-secondary education opportunities.

Collaborate with:

• General Education Teachers
• Related Service Providers
• Educational Diagnosticians
• School Psychologists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• School Nurses
• School Social Workers
• Educational Assistants
• Administrators
• Parents and guardians
• Outside agencies, when appropriate

Participate actively in multidisciplinary team meetings.

Family Engagement

• Maintain regular communication with parents and guardians.
• Explain evaluation results and IEP services.
• Provide instructional strategies for home support.
• Encourage family participation in educational planning.
• Maintain positive working relationships with families.

Documentation and Compliance

Maintain accurate and timely:

• IEP documentation.
• Evaluation records.
• Progress reports.
• Attendance records.
• Medicaid documentation, when applicable.
• Service logs.
• Classroom records.
• Student data.
• Confidential records.

Utilize district-approved electronic systems for documentation

Classroom Management

• Establish a safe, structured, and positive learning environment.
• Maintain classroom procedures and routines.
• Supervise students during instructional and non-instructional activities.
• Maintain inventory of instructional materials and equipment.
• Coordinate educational field trips when approved.
• Assist students with activities of daily living (ADLs), including toileting, feeding, hygiene, positioning, lifting, transferring, and mobility as required by student needs and documented in the IEP or health care plan.
• Safely operate adaptive equipment and utilize appropriate body mechanics during transfers and lifting.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain current licensure and endorsements.
• Participate in district and professional development activities.
• Maintain professional competence through continuing education.
• Implement district initiatives and school improvement goals.
• Participate in faculty meetings, committees, IEP meetings, and professional learning communities.
• Supervise Educational Assistants assigned to the classroom.
• Provide guidance and support to paraprofessionals regarding instructional implementation and student supports.
• Perform additional duties assigned by the Principal, Director of Special Education, Superintendent, or designee.

RESOURCES USED

• District-approved curriculum and instructional materials
• Electronic IEP system
• Student Information System
• Assistive technology devices
• Adaptive instructional materials
• Standardized assessments
• Educational software
• Computers, interactive displays, and instructional technology
• Standard office equipment
• Medicaid documentation systems

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and climb.
• Lift, transfer, reposition, and assist students weighing up to 50 pounds independently and more with assistance or mechanical devices when appropriate.
• Utilize proper body mechanics during lifting and transfers.
• Assist students with mobility, toileting, feeding, hygiene, and positioning.
• Move classroom furniture and instructional equipment.
• Supervise students indoors and outdoors.
• Travel between classrooms, schools, and district locations when assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in classrooms, resource rooms, community-based instructional settings, vocational sites, playgrounds, cafeterias, buses, and other educational environments. The position may involve working with students who exhibit significant behavioral, emotional, developmental, medical, and physical needs requiring patience, flexibility, sound judgment, and crisis intervention skills.

The Special Education Teacher may be exposed to communicable illnesses, moderate to high noise levels, and physically demanding student support activities.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct consistent with the New Mexico Educator Code of Ethical Responsibility.
• Maintain current licensure and professional competencies.
• Protect the confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA and IDEA.
• Meet all IDEA, NMPED, district, evaluation, IEP, Medicaid, and reporting timelines.
• Provide high-quality, standards-based specially designed instruction.
• Maintain accurate educational records and documentation.
• Collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, and community partners.
• Promote inclusive educational practices that maximize student achievement, independence, and post-secondary readiness.
• Comply with IDEA, Section 504, ADA, ESSA, FERPA, Medicaid School-Based Services requirements, NMPED regulations, Board policies, and all applicable federal and state laws.
• Engage in continuous professional learning to improve instructional effectiveness and student outcomes.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all district hiring requirements, including criminal background clearance, employment eligibility verification, completion of required pre-employment screenings, and obtaining and maintaining all certifications required by law and district policy.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $55,200 to $83,980 Per Year

Job Requirements

Contact Information

• Sherri Rodriguez , Principal
• Alcalde Elementary
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]