2026-27 SPED SUN Kids Preschool Teacher - Larkspur ES

SPED SUN Kids Preschool Teacher Location

Larkspur Elementary School Non-Interim Position FTE: 1.0 Dates: 07/27/2026 - 05/27/2027

Purpose Statement

The job of Teacher - Special Education is done for the purposes of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing students with special needs success in academics, interpersonal skills, and/or activities of daily living, supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas, developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines, collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students, parents, or guardians regarding instructional program and student progress.

This job reports to Site Administrator

Essential Functions

• Administers developmental testing programs, subject-specific assessments, etc. for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans.
• Administers under supervision first aid and assistance to medically fragile children, e.g. tube feeding, toileting, diapering, etc. for the purpose of providing appropriate care for children as assigned.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations, students achievements, developing methods for improvement, and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals, e.g. behavioral, motor development, and communication skills, academic needs, vocational abilities, etc. for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, and administration.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, problem-solving techniques, and a variety of personal issues.
• Demonstrates pedagogical approaches that engage learners for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements.
• Differentiates classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning programs.
• Directs assistant teachers, student teachers, paraprofessional volunteers, and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Instructs students for the purpose of improving their success in academic, interpersonal, and daily living skills through a defined course of study.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic files and records for the purpose of providing up-to-date reference and/or historical reference in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments, e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, nap times, etc. for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Orders supplies and equipment for the purpose of ensuring availability as needed.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, e.g. IEPs, staff, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Participates on PLC team for the purpose of reviewing data and instructional practices.
• Prepares a variety of written materials, e.g. attendance, anecdotal records, IEPs, etc. for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies, e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behaviors, etc. for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment, and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources, e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc. for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information, and/or direction.
• Serves as case manager, special education students, for the purpose of managing IEPs in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Supports classroom teachers for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of established curriculum and/or individual student plans.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Skills: Required to perform multiple highly complex technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include applying assessment instruments, operating standard office equipment, including using pertinent software applications, preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Knowledge: Required to perform algebra and/or geometry, read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include appropriate codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws, age-appropriate activities, lesson plan requirements, stages of child development, behavioral management strategies, methods of instruction, and training.
• Ability: Required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events, gather, collate, and/or classify data, and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances, work with data utilizing defined but different processes, and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups, work with a variety of data, and utilize job-related equipment. Problem-solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem-solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines, and problem-solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include establishing and maintaining constructive relationships, adapting to changing work priorities, maintaining confidentiality, exhibiting tact and patience, working flexible hours.

Responsibility

• Responsibilities include working under limited supervision, using standardized practices and/or methods, directing other persons within a small work unit, utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the jobs functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organizations services.

Work Environment

• The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10 sitting, 50 walking, and 40 standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience

• Job-related experience is desired.

Education

• Bachelors degree in job-related area.

Equivalency

• Required Testing
• Certificates and Licenses
• Arizona Teaching Certificate
• Appropriately Certified in Core Content Area
• SEI Endorsement Required
• Continuing Educ. Training
• Clearances
• CPR Certificate
• Criminal Background Clearance
• First Aid Certificate
• Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• CPI Certificate
• Clearance Card or ability to obtain district-sponsored training

FLSA Status - Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, 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 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, ADA, or Title II of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008, GINA may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.