Alternative Education Teacher/Special Education Teacher

Combined Alternative & Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher

Job Title: Alternative Education & Special Education Teacher (Cross-Categorical)

Location: Lakeshore School of Innovation

Position Summary

The Manitowoc Public School District is seeking a compassionate, flexible, and highly skilled Alternative Education & Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher. Located within the Lakeshore School of Innovation family-oriented alternative high school environment, this position provides targeted, developmentally appropriate instruction and special education supports for students in small-scale, activity-based settings and inclusive classrooms.

The educator will combine alternative teaching approaches with Individualized Education Program (IEP) implementation, working collaboratively with regular education teachers, special education staff, administrators, and families to foster an emotionally and physically safe, challenging, and supportive learning community.

Essential Job Functions

Instructional & Classroom Management

• Assesses how individual students learn best and adapts teaching methods, core curriculum, and supplementary materials to fit unique learning styles and special needs.

• Plans and delivers creative, activity-based, and specially designed instruction aligned with academic standards and IEP goals.

• Guides and counsels students through academic, behavioral, adjustment, or social-emotional challenges.

• Teaches personal development and self-advocacy skills, including goal setting, independence, and personal responsibility.

• Establishes clear behavioral rules, expectations, and policies to maintain order, physical safety, and an optimal learning environment.

• Plans and supervises class projects, field trips, guest speakers, and experiential activities.

• Instructs and monitors students in the safe use and care of equipment and materials.

Special Education & Behavioral Support

• Facilitates the IEP process, including diagnostic testing, progress monitoring, data collection, and writing comprehensive student evaluations/reports.

• Utilizes behavior management systems, conducts Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), and designs/implements Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIPs).

• Applies Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) strategies and techniques as needed.

• Supports students in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) while consulting with general education teachers regarding modifications and accommodations.

Collaboration & Administration

• Uses Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and data analysis to guide student learning and program improvement.

• Confers regularly with parents, general/special education staff, and administrators to promote academic, physical, functional, and social-emotional development.

• Maintains accurate, complete, and confidential student records in compliance with state/federal laws, district policies, and DPI regulations.

• Requisitions and manages inventory for instructional materials and technology tools.

• Attends professional development meetings, educational conferences, and workshops to maintain professional competence.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution including all required coursework for teaching credentials.

• Certification:

• Valid Wisconsin DPI Teacher Certification in Cross-Categorical Special Education preferred.

• Valid Wisconsin DPI Alternative Education Teaching Certification preferred.

• Experience: Prior student teaching, internship, or full-time teaching experience in alternative education or special education settings.

• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, assistive technologies, audiovisual aids, and data collection tools.

• Transportation: Valid driver's license and access to an insured motor vehicle for travel between district sites/meetings as required.

Personal Qualities & Core Competencies

• Emotional Resilience & Empathy: Emotionally sound with a strong mission to help students succeed, particularly those with varying self-concepts, non-traditional behaviors, or negative attitudes toward learning.

• Social Perceptiveness: High level of social awareness-capable of understanding student reactions and underlying motivations.

• Adaptability: Highly flexible and able to adapt quickly to constantly changing classroom situations and abstract variables.

• Communication Skills: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills for collaborating with colleagues, parents, and community members.

Reasoning & Skills Requirements

• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems, define issues, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions where only limited standardization exists.

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or regulations, and write clear reports and instruction manuals.

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply mathematical concepts (fractions, percentages, ratios) to practical situations and data tracking.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, reach, and use hands/fingers to handle materials.

• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or drive between district locations.

• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work Environment

• Small-scale, supportive alternative high school setting with quiet to moderate (and occasionally loud) noise levels.

• Frequent interactions with non-traditional student behaviors requiring crisis prevention and de-escalation skills.

• Occasional work in outdoor weather conditions during experiential activities or school trips.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Manitowoc Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.