2025-26 District Calendar (link)

• Fulton's calendar has 166 student days and 179 staff days.
• Snow days are built into our calendar and will not be made up.
• School begins on August 20, 2025, and ends on May 21, 2026.
• There are several planned breaks throughout the year:
• October 31
• November 24-28
• December 22-January 2
• March 23-27
• April 3-6

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Purpose Statement

The job of a Special Education Teacher is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for developing special education students' plans that address academics, interpersonal skills, and 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 and instructional methodologies and strategies; collaborating with other teachers, 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 programs and student progress.

 

This job reports to the principal.

 

Essential Functions 

• Administers developmental testing programs, district assessments and/or state tests, etc. to assess student competency levels and/or develop individual education plans. 

• Administers, under supervision, first aid and assistance to medically fragile children (e.g. tube feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) to provide appropriate care for children as assigned.

• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress to communicate expectations; document student achievements; develop methods for improvement and/or reinforce classroom goals in the school environment.

• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals (e.g. behavioral, communication skills, academic needs, vocational abilities, etc.) to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration. 

• Collaborates with classroom teachers to assist them in the implementation of established curriculum and/or individual student plans. 

• Collaborates with the professional learning community, instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, business partners, and a variety of community resources (e.g. OT, PT, SLP, etc.) to improve the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan. 

• Consistent interaction with students to educate students. 

• Counsels students to improve performance, and develop problem-solving techniques. 

• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject-specific assignments to provide an effective program that addresses individual student requirements. 

• Differentiates classroom work to provide students with instructional strategies that address individualized learning styles. 

• Directs para-professionals, volunteers, and/or student workers to provide an effective classroom program that addresses the needs of individual students.

• Instructs students to improve 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 (e.g. IEPs, SpedTrack, etc.) to provide up-to-date information and/or historical reference in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.

• Manages student behavior to provide a safe and optimal learning environment. 

• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. IEP, PLC, etc.) to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions. 

• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g. IEPs, grades, testing schedules, lesson plans, attendance, appropriate behavior plans, daily behavior charts, anecdotal records, etc.) to document student progress and meet mandated requirements. 

• Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) to maintain the personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to education code and school policies. 

• Responds to emergencies to resolve immediate safety concerns and/or direct to appropriate personnel for resolution. 

• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. students, teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) to resolve issues, providing information and/or direction. 

• Schedules students with para-professionals and other school personnel for academic and/or therapeutic instruction (e.g. OT, PT, SLP, etc.) to meet IEP goals. 

• Supervises students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, etc.) to provide a safe and positive learning environment.

Other Functions 

Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

 

Skills are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to routinely upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: administering assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge is 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; and behavioral management strategies. 

 

Ability is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider several 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. Independent 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 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; and working flexible hours.

 

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; and operating within a defined budget. utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services. 

 

Working Environment 

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active.  There will be interruptions and high-stress situations. Occasionally the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess. The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 15% sitting, 60% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness and in a clean atmosphere. The individual may have to use therapeutic restraint. 

 

Attendance

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position. 

 

Experience  
Job-related experience is desired.

 

Education

Bachelor's degree in a job-related area.

 

 

Certificates and Licenses 
Missouri State Teaching Certificate

 

Continuing Education/Training 

State Required Professional Development Hours.

 

Clearances  

FBI Fingerprint and Family Care Registry.

 

FLSA Status

Exempt 

 

Approval Date

12/8/2021

 

Salary Grade 
Certified

 

The purpose and utilization of job descriptions in Fulton 58 Public Schools are to ensure the essential functions of each position are articulated in order to create a clear understanding of job expectations for the incumbent while also providing a framework through which the recruiting, hiring, and retaining of employees may be enhanced.