Teacher, Preschool (Special Education)

J.o-Combs-Unified-School-District; San Tan Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

J.O. Combs Unified School District is seeking a Special Education Teacher at Ranch Elementary School to deliver sound instruction, modify curriculum as needed, and support students toward reaching their full potential.

Under Principal and Director of Special Education supervision, the teacher will implement IEP goals, monitor progress, and work with families and staff to ensure compliant, data-driven instruction. 10-month, 200-day contract; 40 hours weekly.

Qualifications

• Hold a valid Arizona Certification in Special Education in either SLD or Cross-Categorical.
• Highly Qualified as required by IDEA 2004.
• Master Degree in Special Education (preferred).
• Knowledge of Arizona Special Education statutes and IDEA law.
• Knowledge of sound, research-based instructional practices for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of classroom-based assessments to drive instruction.
• Knowledge of basic special education procedures and deadlines.
• Skill in both oral and written communication.
• Skill in providing direct instruction based on a student’s IEP and the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements direct instruction in all core subject areas as needed per IEP.
• Maintains the physical environment of the classroom for organization and maximum instructional opportunities.
• Instructs individuals and groups.
• Tracks data on monitoring and on IEP goals.
• Adapts or Modifies curriculum as needed for appropriate instructional level of students.
• Develops and maintains student documentation including IEPs, MET reports, Progress notes, and report cards.

Skills

Special Education certification

IDEA compliance

Communication skills

IEP development

Collaboration

SMARTboard proficiency

Education

Master's in Special Education

AZ Special Education Certification

Knowledge of IDEA law

First Aid / CPR certification

Tools

SMARTboard

Online IEP system

Job description

• Date Posted:
  8/14/2026
• Location:
  Ranch Elementary School
• Date Available:
  08/14/2026
• Closing Date:
  11/01/2026

Salary Schedule:Base $54,000;Additional credit for related years of service and related education.
Benefits:Benefit eligible. Eligible the first of the month following date of hire.
Evaluation:Annual
Contract:10 months, 200days
Hours:40 weekly
Reportsto:PrincipalandDirector of Special Education
FLSA Status:Exempt

POSITION GOAL:

While under the direct supervision of the Principal,the Teacher will provide sound and consistent instruction to students, modifying curriculum as needed,to support academic growth that enables each student to reach their full potential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative ofknowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

• Hold a valid Arizonacertification in Special Educationin either SLD or CrossCategorical
• Highly Qualified as required by IDEA 2004
• Master Degree in Special Education (preferred)
• Knowledge of Arizona Special Education statutes and IDEA law
• Knowledge of sound, research-based and approved instructional practices for students with disabilities
• Knowledge of classroom-based assessments to drive instruction
• Knowledge of basic special education procedures and deadlines
• Skill in both oral and written communication
• Skill in providing direct instruction based on child'sIndividualized Education Plan(IEP)and the Arizona College an Career Ready Standards
• Skill in using computers,SMARTboard, and other equipment and materials to supplement instructional presentation
• Ability to assessstudentneeds through academic assessments
• Ability to write goals and implement instructional strategies based on assessments
• Ability to develop and implement an IEP
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships withstudents,parents, colleagues, administration andthe community
• Ability to collaborate and work in teams
• Ability, if appropriate,tomaintain current NCI, First Aid, and CPR certification
• Ability to create and update special education records using online IEP system

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the following:

• Supports the Mission, Vision and goals of J.O.Combs Unified School District
• Plans and implements direct instruction in allcoresubject areasas needed per IEP
• Maintains the physical environment of the classroom for organization and maximum instructional opportunities
• Instructs individuals and groups
• Tracks data on monitoring and on IEP goals
• Adapts or Modifies curriculum as neededfor appropriate instructional level of students
• Followsspecial education departmentprocedures for developing, holding, and turning in student documentation including, but not limited to, IEPs, MET reports, Progress notes, and report cards
• Maintains effective contact with parents
• Administers, scores and writes reportsfor achievement testing
• Collaborates with general education teachers having students on IEPs in their classes
• Trainsparaprofessionals to support students in general education classes both academically and behaviorallyand to gatherdata on goals
• Participates inProfessional Leaning Committeeswhen appropriate
• Ensuresappropriate accommodations are in place for general education classroom teacher to implement
• Developsan Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student
• ConductsIEPs in "real time"
• Servesas team member for FBA and PBIP plan
• Administers assessments to students on case load, included but not limited to: STARS,DIBELS, state-wide test
• Ifappropriate, developstransition plansoutlining specific steps to prepare students for post-secondary study
• Participates in professional developmentin the district and outside ofthedistrict when appropriate
• Attendsstaffmeetings andserve on committees as required
• May be required to participate in student's meetings which occur beyond the staff's work assignment schedule
• Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly require to move about the classroom and campus and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools,controlsand to reach with hands and arms, bend stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40pounds. The employee may have to safely physically restrain a student from hurting self or others. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities. Duties may require an employee to be exposed to outside weather conditions including extreme heat or cold, wind and rain. High humidity and/or dusty conditions may also be present. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE OF NON-DESCRIMINATION:

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX , Director of Human Resources, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5318 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 no discrimina en base a la raza, el color, la religión, el origen nacional, el sexo, la discapacidad, la edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las polízas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Director de Recursos Humanos, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 o480-987-5318 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 o480-987-5300.