Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Center-based (Applicant Pool)

Omaha Public Schools • Omaha, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in a center-based setting, serving as an applicant pool for current and future openings. The role involves planning, teaching, and facilitating learning for students aged 3-5 with disabilities. The teacher will maintain student progress records, manage discipline, and collaborate with students, parents, staff, and IEP team members to implement IEP services. The position is per negotiated agreement and is exempt. Salary is based on the 2026/27 Step 1 schedule with potential credit for applicable experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education or Inclusive required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid NE Teaching Certificate with endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education or Early Childhood Inclusive required.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Professional verification of successful classroom teacher performance and/or student teaching experience.
• Evidence of the willingness and ability to comply with standards for ethical and professional performance established by the State Board of Education.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students.
• Skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with young children, staff, parents and the community.
• Skill in organization, time management, communication, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver teaching instruction in accordance with approved curriculum and standards.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• A demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Ability to understand the individual needs of each student.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Outlook and the student information system.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and special education students.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.
• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Verification of a valid Nebraska Teaching License or other required license.
• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).
• Execution and delivery to OPS of a Teacher Contract presented by OPS.

Nice To Haves

• Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.
• Limited travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Plans for, teaches, and facilitates learning for students aged 3-5 in the school setting who have disabilities.
• Maintains progress, records, and discipline.
• Works collaboratively with students, parents, building staff, and other Individual Education Program team members to provide and implement IEP services to meet the needs of individual students.
• Developing students’ cognitive, emotional and social capacities for learning.
• Maintaining a classroom atmosphere conducive to enhancing interpersonal relationships, social skills, problem resolution, and decision making while achieving academic success.
• Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students.
• Continuous assessment and evaluation of progress toward Individual Education Program (IEP) goals.
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction, and student learning.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Positively fosters students’ self-esteem.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Integration for social skills, technology, and communication into the curriculum.
• Plans for and guides the learning process to help students achieve their program objectives.
• Implements useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures.
• Selects and uses effective instructional methods and learning materials.
• Support the ongoing curriculum development of the program.
• Completes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) as needed based on individual student needs.
• Establishes a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
• Maintains open lines of communications with parents, guardians and staff.
• Engages in professional growth activities through an ongoing program of job related knowledge and skill development.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and lesson planning and student progress toward IEP goals as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Works collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the Early Childhood Special Education program and support the District’s vision, aims and goals.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Building or Central Office Administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Benefits

• per negotiated agreement
• Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.
• Placement on the salary schedule will follow the applicable negotiated agreement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level