Job Title: Special Education Special Instruction Teacher (Elementary or Secondary)

Note: In lieu of individual school/position postings, we utilize pool postings as a way to connect with talented individuals like you.  During the interview journey, we delve into your preferences, skills, and ideal work locations to find a position for you among our diverse opportunities.

Location: TBD

Reports To: Building Principal 

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: per negotiated agreement / Exempt

Salary Schedule: 

2024/25 

Step 1 with a Bachelor's Degree: $50,500 + 10% variance ($5,050)= $55,550
Step 1 with a Master's Degree: $57,050 + 10% variance ($5,705)= $62,755
Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.  Placement on the salary schedule will follow the applicable negotiated agreement.

2025/26 

Step 1 with a Bachelor's Degree: $51,200 + 10% variance ($5,120)= $56,320

Step 1 with a Master's Degree: $57,820 + 10% variance ($5,782)= $63,602

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

Position Purpose:  Plans for, teaches and facilitates learning for students.  Creates a positive learning environment. Provides interventions and accommodations to support the students’ participation and progress in the general curriculum.  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. Effectively provides engaging academic instruction, assessment of student behavior through Functional Behavior Assessments and positive behavior supports and interventions through creating and implementing individualized Behavior Intervention Plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid NE Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Special Education, Special Education Generalist preferred.
• Ability to develop positive relationships to promote mutual dignity and respect among students and staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively to identify needs of students and implement strategies on a consistent basis.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students
• Ability to create and implement individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) as well as review and revise it on a regular basis as needed based on individual student needs.
• Ability to target skill deficits and desired replacement behaviors (identified through FBA) as needed based on individual student needs.
• 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.
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, 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 the crisis cycle and how to respond to crisis situations.  
• 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.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Provides accommodations that can be implemented during services and collaborate with the general education teachers to ensure they are in place while the student is in the general education setting.
• Plans for and guides the learning process to help students achieve their program objectives.
• Implements useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures.
• Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students.
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction, and student learning.
• Completes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) as needed based on individual student needs.
• Creates, implements and maintains up-to-date individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) as needed based on individual student needs.
• Maintains an atmosphere conducive to enhancing interpersonal relationships, social skills, problem resolution, and decision making while achieving academic success.
• Plans for and implements daily social skills instruction as well as embeds social skills throughout the curriculum as needed based on individual student needs.
• Maintain compliance on all special education procedures, timelines, and documents such as Individual Education Program (IEP), progress reporting, parent notification, consents, evaluation process, etc.
• 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.
• Continuous assessment and evaluation of progress toward Individual Education Program (IEP) goals.
• Develops students’ cognitive, emotional and social capacities for learning.
• Positively fosters students’ self-esteem.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Selects and uses effective instructional methods, district approved intervention programs, and learning materials.
• Establishes a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
• Maintains open lines of communications with parents, guardians and staff.
• Assists in providing de-escalation and response to crisis as needed.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
• Implement clear expectations and routines consistently when working with students.
• Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other subject matters specified in applicable laws, as well as administrative regulations and procedures of the Omaha Public Schools.
• Coordinates with other school professional staff members and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
• Evidence of the willingness and the ability to comply with the standards with ethical and professional performance established by district policy as well as the State Board of Education.
• Works collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the program and support the District’s vision, aims and goals.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Building or Central Office Administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:  This position may require the ability to use assistive technology in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine.  Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:  Limited travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in school building environments.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and other stakeholders
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the building administration in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to stakeholder needs and maintain a positive attitude with all
• Expected to interact with all internal and external stakeholders in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt certified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time, and the Teacher Contract. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• 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.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)   

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.