Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

HSSD Early Childhood Teacher Job Description Job Title: Early Childhood Teacher Reports to: Director of Special Education Department/School: Special Education/Elementary School and Building Principal Primary Purpose: Plan, organize, and implement an appropriate instructional program in an elementary preschool classroom that guides and encourages students to fulfill their academic potential in a language-rich learning environment. Work with community partners including Birth - 3 programs and Youth and Family Services to increase the quality of learning programs and identify children with disabilities under South Dakota Child Find laws and regulations. Qualifications: Education/Certification: South Dakota Teaching Certification with Special Education Endorsement and Preschool/Early Childhood Endorsement Preferred Experience: Three years of Special Education Teaching; Two years Early Childhood Teaching Major Responsibilities and Duties: Work with the Birth - 3 program and family childcare providers and center-based directors, teachers, and paraprofessionals to plan and implement high quality early learning programs Ensure screening and assessment of children as specified by their age and program requirements and discuss assessment with parents as required and prepare developmental profiles with appropriate activities for each student Provide parent education and engage families in the program as required Provide coaching and support to improve teacher/family childcare provider effectiveness as requested Gather data and complete required reports while adhering to federal, state, and local guidelines Provide and coordinate early childhood training and workshops for parents and HSSD staff Manage caseloads of children with disabilities, outlining and servicing IEP goals according to the student's strengths and needs Provide home-based services to B-3 or medically fragile students as needs arise Plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning Instruct and monitor students' use of learning materials and equipment Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures Use relevant technology to support differentiated instruction Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies and provide appropriate feedback on work Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development Update all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws, district HSSD Early Childhood Teacher Job Description policies and school regulations Participating in department, school, district and parent meetings Participate in appropriate professional activities Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of child development and learning, including developmentally appropriate practices Knowledge of early learning environments, curriculum and standards Knowledge of child observation techniques, screening, assessment and documentation Knowledge of effective teacher-child interactions, positive discipline and guidance Knowledge of special needs and inclusion Ability to solve problems, analyze issues, create plans of action and reach solutions Ability to train adults to enhance the cognitive, social-emotional and physical development of young children Ability to relate to children in a positive, authentic manner Ability to work with adults from varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds Ability to organize and maintain orderly records Ability to assess early childhood environments of and implement improvement plans Communication: Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues and parents regarding student progress and student needs Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain information for parents when requested, promptly return phone calls and answer emails Supervisory Responsibilities: None. Working Conditions: Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular districtwide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting and carrying. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing, some stooping, kneeling, or crouching. May be required to assist students with personal care needs, including toileting, diapering, and/or changing pull-ups.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply. Comprehensive Benefits Package! SDRS retirement (6% employee match and 6% district retirement contribution), 403(b) retirement, paid time off benefits, district paid life insurance, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance. NOTE: Benefits are pro-rated for part-time positions. Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment background check. Reviewed 03.11.2026