Teacher - Special Education (Essential Skills) - Junior High School

Company: Orchard Farm School District
Location: Saint Charles
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Orchard Farm Junior High is seeking a certified special education teacher to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year! Our mission is to empower each learner to excel in diverse communities. Located in St, Charles, MO with a current enrollment of approximately 2,600 students our district is mostly situated between Highway 370 and north to West Alton, MO where the two rivers meet. From farmland to planned communities our district has a unique culture to embrace old traditions with the new traditions. Offering a great benefits package allows staff to embrace both work and enjoy those greatest life moments. Employees receive health, dental, vision, and life insurance paid for the employee by the district. Paid time off along with tuition reimbursement and many professional developement opportunities are also offered. Retirement "Pension" plan offered through PSRS to help round out the benefits along with many supplemental plans and a 403/457(b) offering. SoCome SOAR with OFSD and be part of the next generations learning experience. Apply Today! The Essential Skills Teacher provides individualized, specialized instruction for students with cognitive and developmental delays, including students who are neurodivergent, aligned with the Missouri's Alternative Learning Standards. Instruction is designed around each student’s strengths, interests, and needs to promote meaningful engagement and progress while ensuring appropriate access and participation in grade-level curriculum established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and district standards. This teacher will lead a structured, supportive classroom that fosters independence, communication, adaptive skills, social connection, and self-regulation. This teacher will carry out positive behavior supports that create an inclusive learning environment where students are valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor degree or higher Appropriate Missouri Teaching Certificate with special education endorsements Knowledge of state standards, federal and state regulations and law Knowledge of subject matter content and assessment strategies Knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction Ability to relate to students, staff, and parents in a positive manner Ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written form Ability to follow written and oral communication Ability to problem solve Essential Duties and Responsibilities An individual who holds this position is required to: Create a classroom environment that accommodates students with cognitive and developmental disabilities, supports learning, and enhances emotional and social development. Lead a team of paraprofessionals to carry out the Individualized Instruction Plans (IEPs) for students with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Plan and provide individualized academic instruction aligned to the Alternative Missouri Learning Standards and students' individual needs. Plan and implement behavioral interventions aligned with best practice and the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support students with complex communication, sensory, social, and behavioral regulation needs. Collaborate with the district Behavior Specialist, related service providers, and all other applicable team members. Evaluate the progress of each student by conducting observations, data analysis and/or review written reports from the team. Assist with crisis prevention (CPI) techniques when trained and applicable to the educational setting. Implement research-based intervention strategies and curriculum resources. Manage Paraprofessionals. Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing behavior modification techniques such as positive reinforcement and social stories, following individual positive behavior support plans, following IEP, and supporting Social Emotional Behavioral goals Provide instructional support in one-on-one or small group settings in the Special Education classroom. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other legal documentation for special education students. Work with parents, staff, counselors, and general education teachers to develop, implement, and maintain Individual Education Programs (IEP) for each student that meet their individual needs, interests, and abilities. Establish and enforce structure and routines for students and paraprofessionals that promote consistently high expectations. Prepare formal and informal observations of students; also responsible for interpretation of diagnostic evaluations and the development of diagnostic reports. Administer alternative state assessments (MAP-A). Connect families to outside agencies such as the Department of Mental Health, Community Living, Easter Seals, etc for community support. Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships by actively communicating with the parents, involving them in their child’s education. Additional Duties and Responsibilities An individual who holds this position is required to: Participate in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences, mentor programs, and teacher training workshops. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. Perform related duties as directed by the building Principal, Director of Special Education, School Psychologist, or Process Coordinators. Contribute to the decisions made by the District and building regarding budget, facilities, curriculum, and personnel well-being. Maintain a physically and aesthetically attractive classroom setting and exercise proper care of district equipment. Perform additional tasks and assume such other responsibilities as assigned by the building Principal. Skills and Abilities An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Read, analyze and interpret professional journals, Board policy, administrative procedures and forms and governmental regulations and guidance Complete forms, write reports and engage in written correspondence with parents Present information effectively and respond to questions Write clear and complete lesson plans Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations Solve a variety of problems in many different situations Interpret instructions presented in written, oral, diagram or schedule form Apply knowledge of current educational theory and instructional techniques while presenting subject matter to students Identify needs and abilities of individual students and to adapt instructional methods accordingly Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents Perform multiple tasks simultaneously Perform basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use Use district software for recording grades and finding student information Utilize smart boards, projectors and other instructional technology provided by the district Compile and analyze data with spreadsheets and graphs Physical Demands An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Speak and hear in an environment where numerous conversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously Move around the classroom Read handwritten or printed material Frequently lift and/or move 20 pounds Frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, feel, grasp, push, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crawl, perform repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement, and move up or down from/to sitting position. Carry out physical intervention when required during a behavioral crisis. Conditions and Environment The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally, the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: Current Resume Transcripts Certificate(s) 3 Letters of Recommendation (preferred) SALARY SCHEDULE Salary is based from years of experience teaching and degree per OFSD policy and procedure.

Keywords: Orchard Farm School District, Columbia , Teacher - Special Education (Essential Skills) - Junior High School, Education / Teaching , Saint Charles, Missouri