Junior High School Special Education Teacher

Junior High School Special Education Teacher

Deadline: August 3, 2026

District/Organization: Meridian Public Schools

Position/Type: Teacher, full time

Salary: Per Master Agreement between the Meridian Public Schools Board of Education and the Meridian Education Association

Position Details

JOB POSTING

Meridian Junior High School

FULL-TIME JUNIOR HIGH SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

The following position is being posted for the 2026-2027 school year.

DESCRIPTION: Full-Time Junior High Special Education Teacher

LOCATION: Meridian Junior High School

STARTING DATE: August 19, 2026 following School Calendar

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have appropriate Special Education Certification. Applicants must meet highly qualified requirements of No Child Left Behind Endorsement.

RATE OF PAY: Per Master Agreement between the Meridian Public Schools Board of Education and the Meridian Education Association

SUPERVISOR: Junior High School Principal

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 3:00 p.m., July 13, 2026 or UNTIL POSITION FILLED.

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received and Meridian reserves the right to interview and hire prior to this deadline.

NOTE: Any applicant recommended for hire for any position is required to consent to a criminal history investigation and back assessment, if required by job description.

JUNIOR HIGH SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the School Principal, to maximize the learning experience of students with special needs, in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living by implementing district approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities, outcomes; addressing students' specific needs; providing a safe and optimal learning environment.

Essential Functions

• Conducts assessments, testing and diagnostic examinations of students for the purpose of identifying learning issues, and recommending courses of action or corrective procedures to overcome issues and maximize learning.

• Participates in PPT's and assists in developing Individual Educational Plans ("IEP") for students.

• Assists students and teaching staff in implementing students' IEP's and behavior management plans.

• Coordinates with outside agencies, organizations and institutions, including state and federal authorities as needed.

• Coordinates with administrators and other teaching staff members to ascertain individual student's abilities and needs, including students with special needs, and to familiarize stakeholders with social work services.

• Serves as ready resource to students and parents to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding, and behavioral management; serves as liaison between home and school.

• 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, and by maintaining professional relationships with members of institutions of higher learning and the business community.

• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and providing student information to prospective colleges and employers, as required by district procedures and applicable laws.

• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.

• Selects and requisitions appropriate books, aids and other supplies and equipment and maintains inventory records.

SUMMARY: Teachers are responsible for planning, organizing and implementing an appropriate instructional program in a learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential. Meridian Public Schools teachers are committed and focused to student centered learning.

REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL

DISTRICT-WIDE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Meridian Public Schools, in partnership with parents, students, businesses and the community, are committed to and responsible for ensuring the highest level of academic achievement and career planning for all students, the highest performing organizational structure at all levels, and a safe and effective learning environment for all students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Content and pedagogical knowledge in assigned subject/area
• Knowledge of relevant technology
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Decision making skills
• Organization and planning skills
• Ability to tolerate high levels of stress
• Ability to be flexible and adaptive
• Ability to take initiative
• Ability to record and report daily written records
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Ability to utilize classroom instruction techniques designed to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other teachers, administrators, and staff
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly
• Ability to develop a positive rapport with students, staff, parents and the school community
• The capacity to align curriculum, instruction and assessments while responding to the individual needs of students
• The willingness to seek out knowledgeable peers, coaches or administrators for instructional support
• Prioritize student-learning needs over the customs, routines, and established relationships that can stand in the way of necessary change
• Commitment to the relentless pursuit of increasing student learning and innovation
• The competence to collect and analyze data from formative and summative assessments to inform instructional decisions
• The skill to implement a tiered system of instruction within the classroom and to leverage the intense student support network
• The strong desire and ability to build meaningful, caring relationships with students in order to exert academic influence
• The ability to help create and thrive in a professional environment that is one of mutual respect, teamwork, and accountability that includes all stakeholders
• The willingness to actively engage in the PLC process while:
• participating in ongoing instructional specific conversations
• collaboratively creating and executing clear, logical instructional plans
• coordinating instruction within and across grade levels
• trying out new ideas for improving student learning

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, prepare and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences
• Develop schemes of work and lesson plans
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities
• Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities
• Identify and select different instructional resources and methods to meet students' varying needs
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment
• Use relevant technology to support instruction
• Observe and evaluate student's performance and development
• Assign and grade class work, homework, tests and assignments
• Provide appropriate feedback on work
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Update all necessary records accurately and completely as required by laws, district policies and school regulations
• Prepare required reports on students and activities
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures
• Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school
• Apply appropriate disciplinary measures when necessary
• Perform certain pastoral duties including but not limited to student support, counseling students with academic problems and providing student encouragement
• Participate in department and school meetings, parent meetings
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues and parents regarding student progress and student needs
• Keep up to date with developments in subject area, teaching resources and methods and make relevant changes to instructional plans and activities
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required Reasonable accommodations must be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Meet professional teacher education requirements of School, District, and State
• State certification including endorsements required for a specific subject/area
• Relevant teaching experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and reach forward with hands and arms. Moderate concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks. Average memory is needed, considering the amount of time and type of information. A moderate level of complexity for decision making and average time pressure of decision making.

The employee must have the ability to move/lift up to 25 pounds. Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and desks. Specific vision abilities required by the job includes close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors and will occasionally work outdoors. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Meridian Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender/sex, age, disability, height, weight, marital status, or lack of English language speaking skills, in its programs.

E-mail: sarah.glann@merps.org

Website: Link

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