Middle School Special Education JobID: 1381

• Position Type:

  Middle School Teaching/ Special Education

• Date Posted:

  2/10/2025

• Location:

  Ballard Middle School

• Date Available:

  08/01/2025

• Closing Date:

  03/02/2025

  Ballard Community School District, a district with approximately 1700 students located minutes from Ames and the Des Moines metro, has teaching opportunities available for the 2025-2026 school year. Teaching positions have 190-day contracts. Current year salary and benefit information is available on the Ballard website at http://www.ballard.k12.ia.us/ under the District Information menu on the Human Resources page.

Basic Function: Under the general supervision of the Building Principal, to facilitate student success and growth in academic and interpersonal skills through implementing district-approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; addressing specific educational needs of individual students and by creating a flexible, safe and optimal learning environment; and providing feedback to students, parents, and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, etc.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and administers curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.

• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small-group instruction, and student learning.

• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction

• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual small group instruction as needed.

• 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 District.

• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement, and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.

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

• Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.

• Coordinates with other school professional staff members, especially within grade level and specific subjects, to evaluate and assess curriculum, and participates in faculty meetings and committees.

• Supervises students in activities that take place out of the classroom during the school day, including activities involving school transportation.

• Administers standardized tests in accordance with district testing programs.

• Understanding of the elements of a PLC and an ability to apply that understanding to a team situation

• Understanding of and experience in using multiple teaching methods: co-teaching, whole group/small group/individualized instruction

• Commitment to differentiated instruction

• Desire for growth is evident through personal and professional goals and willingness to collaborate with the instructional coach and building/district expectations

• Knowledgeable in current research and evidence-based instructional practices

• Understanding of how to utilize formative assessment data to adapt to the individual needs of students of all ability levels

• Knowledge of various assessment types and their purposes in decision-making

• Flexible, highly motivated, and enthusiastic about working with children

• Prepare for and participate in parent-teacher conferences.

• Maintain a safe, neat, attractive, and interesting classroom.

• Accept responsibility for the proper care of books, apparatus, furniture, supplies, and equipment in the classroom or assigned areas.

• Abide by and enforce all applicable laws relating to diversity.

• Evidence of effective routines and procedures that lead to a positive classroom environment that promotes student achievement.

• Attend staff meetings, participate in professional development activities, and serve on committees as assigned by the administration or Board of Education.

• Articulate in oral and written communications with colleagues, administrators, parents, families, and community

• Knowledge of and experience with using current technology to enhance learning

• Knowledge of and experience in implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

• Maintain high integrity and confidentiality in the school operation.

• Be knowledgeable of and abide by all school board policies, procedures, and other applicable laws.

• Cooperate with and work in a courteous manner with co-workers and other personnel.

• Dress appropriately for the position and work required.

• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward school, students, and job and communicate the same to the community.

• Accept constructive criticism and suggestions and seek to improve each performance responsibility.

• Demonstrate organization and professionalism in fulfilling the responsibilities of the job.

• Greet all students, faculty, staff, and visitors courteously

• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary packages

• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)

• Employer-paid individual health/major medical insurance plan including Prescription Drug (RX) Coverage

• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance

• Employer-paid group life insurance

• Employer contribution to dental insurance

• Flexible spending account (American Fidelity)

• Dependent care account (American Fidelity)

• Paid personal illness and personal business days

• Voluntary Benefits, including

• Delta Dental

• Delta Vision

• American Fidelity

• AFLAC

• 403b/Tax Sheltered Annuities with the State of Iowa Retirement Investor's Club (RIC)

• Salary direct deposits

• Credit on salary schedules for previous experience

• Smoke-free buildings and grounds