K-5 Special Education Teacher, Life Skills

K-5 SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERwith a focus on Life Skills

JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2026-2027 School Year 8/21/26-6/16/27

187 DAY CONTRACT

INSURANCE RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND PAID TIME OFF

REPORTS TO:

Building Administration Director of Special Education

Position Summary

The Elementary Life Skills Special Education Teacher provides specially designed instruction and comprehensive support to students with significant cognitive disabilities and complex support needs in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) state regulations and district policy.

This position serves as the case manager for assigned students and delivers instruction and services across a variety of settings including specialized life skills classrooms inclusive general education environments community-based instruction and school-based functional settings. The teacher supports students with diverse academic communication adaptive behavioral sensory and medical needs to promote independence safety and meaningful participation in school daily living and community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

IEP Development and Case Management

• Develop implement and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) including present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) measurable annual goals accommodations modifications specially designed instruction related services and supplementary aids and services.
• Serve as IEP case manager for assigned students ensuring compliance with federal state and district procedural safeguards and timelines.
• Facilitate IEP meetings and collaborate with families and multidisciplinary team members to develop programming that addresses academic functional communication behavioral social-emotional and health-related needs.
• Monitor and document student progress toward IEP goals and alternate or grade-level Wyoming Content and Performance Standards using data to inform instructional decisions.

Instruction and Student Support

• Provide specially designed instruction aligned to alternate achievement standards and individualized student needs emphasizing functional academics communication adaptive behavior social skills and independence.
• Deliver instruction across a variety of settings including life skills classrooms inclusive environments school-based work tasks and community-based instruction as appropriate.
• Provide explicit systematic and evidence-based instruction in foundational literacy and numeracy skills at each students developmental level.
• Implement individualized communication systems including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) visual supports and assistive technology.
• Develop and implement positive behavior supports and individualized behavior intervention plans in collaboration with team members.
• Provide and/or coordinate support for activities of daily living including toileting hygiene feeding mobility and other self-care needs while promoting dignity privacy and student independence.
• Support students who are medically fragile including implementing health care plans and safety procedures in collaboration with the school nurse and trained staff consistent with district policy and medical guidance.
• Establish and maintain a structured safe and supportive learning environment that addresses sensory mobility and accessibility needs.

Collaboration and Team Leadership

• Supervise and collaborate with paraprofessionals and related service providers to ensure consistent implementation of instructional strategies behavior supports and health care plans.
• Provide consultation and collaboration with general education teachers to support meaningful inclusion opportunities when appropriate.
• Confer regularly with families administrators school psychologists therapists nurses and other specialists to coordinate services and monitor student progress.
• Schedule and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings including eligibility and reevaluation processes.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain accurate confidential and timely student records including service logs health-related documentation (as required) and progress monitoring data.
• Prepare required reports related to eligibility alternate assessment participation progress reporting and reevaluation.
• Ensure implementation of IEPs behavior plans safety plans and health care plans in accordance with state and district policies.

Professional Practice

• Participate in professional learning related to significant disabilities inclusive practices health and safety procedures and evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Maintain required certifications and training related to crisis prevention first aid/CPR medical protocols and specialized instructional practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of student learning and district initiatives.

Certifications Knowledge Skills and Ability:

• Hold or eligible to hold a Wyoming Special Education Generalist K-12 Certificate.
• Proficient knowledge of IDEA and Wyoming rules that govern the operation of special education programs and services provided to students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of explicit instruction curriculum-based measurement and ability to plan comprehensive academic and behavioral interventions.
• Evidence of excellent communication problem solving and collaborative decision-making skills.
• Wyoming teacher certification (Applicants must be able to obtain a teaching certificate issued by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board ( with a Special Education endorsement.

The School District places employees on salary schedules on the basis of:

1. Wyoming experience.
2. Out-of-state experience up to 7 years.
3. Degree ï½ Bachelors Masters or Doctorate.
4. Semester Graduate Credits beyond Degree.

26/27 Compensation package pending; 25/26 package can be foundhere.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit on the floor depending on the age of the children. While performing the duties of this job the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs; this may involve the lifting of a student. Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person may need to lift arms to write on chalk or marking board and occasionally stoop kneel crouch and reach 0 - 24 inches and up to 36 inches above the head. The employee is directly responsible for the safety well-being and work output of other people. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed materialthe ability to adjust focus and exposure to screen(s) via technology. Hearing ability to monitor activity and presence of students and respond to communication with students and adults is required. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is normally low to moderate but may become loud when large groups are together in a room. The employee may be required to move from room to room to provide instruction and may have to maneuver in crowded hallways. Duties are typically performed indoors and occasionally outdoors such as playground duty or when students are boarding or unloading buses. The employee may be exposed to unpredictable weather conditions. This position is typically performed in a hazard free clean and healthy environment.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description identifies primary responsibilities and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and activities. This job description is subject to change in response to student demographics staffing factors funding variables modified operating procedures and/or program/curriculum changes as directed by the Superintendent(s) or designee(s) of Teton County School District #1.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION:

The Teton County School District does not discriminate on the basis of age sex race color religion national origin sexual orientation gender identity or disability in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the schools compliance with the regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is directed to contact the Civil Rights Compliance Officer (Communications Coordinator) at the office of the School District or PO BoxGregory Lane Jackson WY 83001.