Special Education Classroom Teacher

Children's Home Society of South Dakota•Aberdeen, SD

1d•$55,370 - $74,749•Onsite

About The Position

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is seeking a Special Education Classroom Teacher to provide individualized, meaningful instruction and a structured, trauma-responsive learning environment that supports each student’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth. The Special Education Classroom Teacher (Aberdeen) plans and delivers instruction aligned with student learning goals, manages assigned special education responsibilities, monitors student progress, and collaborates with families, public schools, and interdisciplinary team members to meet the individualized educational needs of students served by Children’s Home Society. As a leader in compassionate, trauma-informed care, Children’s Home Society is committed to fostering equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. By joining our team, you will make a difference every day—creating positive change for individuals, families, and communities. Each smile, hug, and heart you touch will reflect the meaningful impact of your work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or Elementary Education required.
Current, valid South Dakota teaching certificate with a Special Education endorsement appropriate to the grade levels and student served required.

Nice To Haves

Education, training, or experience working with children with emotional, behavioral, developmental or mental health needs preferred.
Experience providing special education services and supporting students with IEPs preferred.
You are a team player that promotes a positive work environment.
You are capable of handling highly sensitive, confidential information.
You are able to effectively communicate.
You align with our mission, vision, and values.
You are organized and are able to pay strong attention to detail.
You are able to have professional and kind client and public interactions.
You are able to show awareness and respect for the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees and clients.

Responsibilities

Plan and deliver meaningful, standards-aligned instruction using Agency-identified curriculum and supplemental resources appropriate to students’ academic, developmental, social, and emotional needs.
Establish clear learning goals and high expectations while differentiating instruction, materials, pacing, and supports based on individual student abilities and needs.
Use a variety of instructional approaches, including individual, small-group, hands-on, movement-based, and other engaging learning opportunities.
Utilize ongoing assessment, student performance, and other available data to monitor learning and adjust instruction.
Case manage Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for assigned students in collaboration with the Special Education Services Administrator and other members of the educational team.
Participate in evaluations, IEP development and meetings, establish measurable goals and objectives, implement accommodations and modifications, monitor student progress, and maintain required special education documentation.
Collaborate with public schools, related service providers, families, and other team members to ensure students receive appropriate educational services and supports consistent with applicable special education requirements.
Establish and maintain a structured, predictable, trauma-responsive classroom environment that promotes student safety, regulation, engagement, and learning.
Develop, teach, model, and consistently reinforce clear classroom rules, routines, boundaries, and expectations.
Respond to behavioral and emotional needs using individualized strategies, positive relationships, sound professional judgment, and Agency-approved behavior management practices while maintaining appropriate academic and behavioral expectations.
Maintain an organized and effective classroom by preparing instructional materials, technology, equipment, schedules, and other resources for timely use.
Establish and implement classroom procedures that support smooth transitions between activities and locations and maximize instructional time.
Provide active supervision throughout the school day and adapt classroom structure, staffing, activities, or expectations as necessary to maintain safety and respond to changing student and program needs.
Monitor and document students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and IEP-related progress using observations, assessments, data, and other relevant information.
Complete educational records, progress reports, quarterly reports, IEP documentation, daily documentation, and other required records accurately and within established timelines.
Communicate relevant student progress, needs, concerns, and successes with families, school staff, public school partners, and members of the interdisciplinary team while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
Work collaboratively with Teacher Assistants, school leadership, related service providers, therapists, public school partners, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide coordinated support for students.
Provide direction and leadership within the classroom, including establishing expectations for supporting staff and promoting consistency in student programming.
Contribute to school-wide problem solving, programming, meetings, activities, and efforts to strengthen student learning, behavior, social skills, safety, staff practices, and the overall school environment.
Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, dependability, sound judgment, and a commitment to the mission and values of Children’s Home Society.
Participate in ongoing professional development related to education, special education, trauma-responsive practice, behavioral health, student development, and other areas relevant to the position.
Seek and apply feedback and identify opportunities to strengthen individual teaching practices and school programming.
Follow all Children’s Home Society and Loving School policies and procedures, applicable educational and special education requirements, safety expectations, and confidentiality standards, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Two health insurance options (Traditional Plan & High Deductible Health Plan with HSA)
vision
dental
employer-paid Group Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Short Term & Long-Term Disability
additional voluntary life and critical illness plans
Up to $200 per month in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment for qualifying employees.
Generous PTO package with 40 hours upfront
10 paid holidays
8 hours "Day of Service" for volunteering in the community.
Once entry into the plan, employees receive a 3% employer contribution each pay period and an up to an additional 5% profit sharing.
Referral Bonuses: Earn up to $1,000 for referring new employees.