Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

TheraPeds • Buffalo Gap, SD

1d • $45 - $55 • Onsite

About The Position

TheraPeds Partners is hiring a full-time, on-site Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for a school-based Pre-K assignment in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota. The assignment runs from October 2026 through May/June 2027 and is scheduled for 37–39 hours per week. The teacher provides individualized instruction and case management to help students with disabilities access and participate successfully in educational programs. The role includes IEP development and implementation, evaluations, progress monitoring, and collaboration with educators, families, administrators, and multidisciplinary team members. The position offers support from both the school district and TheraPeds Partners, guaranteed hours including designated documentation, administrative, and planning time, and a manageable caseload.

Compensation is $45–$55 per hour based on experience and employment arrangement. Employment may be W-2 or through a 1099 independent-contractor arrangement; compensation, benefits, and terms depend on the applicable agreement and eligibility. W-2 employees may be eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits, a 401(k), professional development and continuing education, ongoing clinical and administrative support, and access to the TheraPeds professional community. Independent contractors may receive contract rates, benefit resources, guaranteed hours, professional development and continuing education, ongoing support, and access to professional and administrative resources and the TheraPeds professional community.

Requirements

• Valid South Dakota teaching license or certificate with an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Birth–Grade 3 endorsement.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Special Education or a related qualifying field.
• Current or eligibility for appropriate state-licensed special education teaching certification or credentialing.
• Appropriate state authorization to provide special education teaching services in South Dakota.
• Experience working with children and students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP development and implementation, special education eligibility, and progress monitoring.
• Ability to provide individualized and differentiated instruction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with technology used for instruction, documentation, and communication.
• Ability to successfully complete required fingerprinting and background clearances.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, administrators, and related-service professionals.
• Professionalism, tact, discretion, and respect for student and family confidentiality.
• Ability to perform the physical functions necessary for assigned responsibilities, which may include sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, transitioning to and from the floor, and engaging with students throughout school environments.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of experience in a school setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Provide specialized instruction tailored to students’ individual educational and developmental needs.
• Manage assigned student caseloads and coordinate special education services.
• Conduct and participate in assessments and evaluations, as appropriate to the position.
• Monitor student progress and collect data to measure progress toward IEP goals.
• Adapt instructional strategies based on student performance and individual learning needs.
• Prepare progress reports and maintain accurate, timely educational records.
• Participate in IEP, eligibility, multidisciplinary, and student-support meetings.
• Collaborate with general education teachers, related-service providers, administrators, families, and other educational team members.
• Support accommodations, modifications, and specialized instructional strategies across educational environments.
• Create a welcoming, safe, structured, and productive learning environment.
• Provide guidance and support to classroom staff implementing educational strategies for students with disabilities.
• Support compliance with IDEA, district procedures, IEP requirements, and applicable state and federal special education requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits may be available to eligible W-2 employees.
• 401(k) may be available to eligible W-2 employees.
• Guaranteed hours, including designated documentation, administrative, and planning time.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Ongoing clinical and administrative support.
• Access to the TheraPeds professional community.
• Independent contractors may receive benefit resources and access to professional and administrative resources through TheraPeds Partners.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time