2026-2027 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Early Contract

Job Description

We want YOU here!

Are you passionate about inspiring young learners and shaping the future?

The Sioux Falls School District is excited to offer Early Childhood Special Education Early Contract opportunities for the upcoming school year. By accepting an early contract, you'll secure your position as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher within our district before individual school placements are finalized. After accepting your early contract, you'll be invited to connect with program leaders across the district. These conversations will help determine the best placement for you and ensure alignment with your strengths and interests. This is a fantastic way to lock in your teaching career with a district committed to excellence, innovation, and supporting every learner's success!

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION LEVEL:

Bachelor's degree in an approved teacher education program. South Dakota teaching certificate with endorsement(s) in Early Childhood Special Education.

EXPERIENCE DESIRED:

Successful student teaching

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constant hand-eye and mind-eye coordination and hearing; intermittent speaking, standing, walking and writing. The ability to provide physical management to students with behavior or self-care needs.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated skills in human relations, leadership, and conflict management. Demonstrated competency in word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Knowledge in implementation of IEP process and special education law. Training in assessment and interpretation of information.

COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:

Candidates are required to complete a comprehensive background check, including a state and FBI criminal history check with fingerprinting, a sex offender registry check, and a child abuse and neglect registry check. All components must be completed prior to the start of employment and repeated every five years thereafter.

CERTIFICATION

This position requires a valid South Dakota teaching certification with the Early Childhood SPED Birth through Grade Three endorsement.

Please note, endorsement requirements may vary based on specific course assignments.

Questions about SD teaching certification:South Dakota Department of Education

YOUTH SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING

South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-71 requires certified educators to complete at least one hour of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training every five years. Compliance is verified through district accreditation reviews. You will be required to provide your most recent certificate of completion prior to starting employment with the Sioux Falls School District.

Visit https://doe.sd.gov/suicideprevention/ to view the list of approved trainings and detailed instructions for completion. These trainings listed are the only accepted trainings per SDCL 13-42-71. Please carefully review the options before selecting a training as unapproved trainings will require you to retake an approved course.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

1. Follow program guidelines and policies regarding research-based standards, curriculum, and assessments.
2. Develop lesson plans and individual plans for students in collaboration with educational assistance, teachers, coaches, & other support staff
3. Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, classroom arrangement and management, staff and parent communications, and data collection.
4. Conduct on-going assessments for learning to individualize curriculum to meet students' developmental and learning needs
5. Provide case management for students on IEPs- coordinating special education referrals, evaluations, & IEP development
6. Support students' positive social emotional development utilizing social literacy, problem solving techniques, and self-regulation strategies
7. Maintain files and records to provide up-to-date reference, cross component communication, and audit trail for compliance with state, and federal regulations
8. Abides by School Board policies and procedures, teacher handbooks and the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.
9. Follows the District and Head Start Standards of Conduct and Mandatory Reporting Requirements.

Participate in Professional Growth Opportunities and Demonstrate Professionalism

1. Participate in all staff meetings, parent teacher conferences, trainings, and professional growth opportunities sessions and workshops per District policies and procedures
2. Participate in school/professional and/or community organizations or events
3. In consultation with supervisor or coach, develop own professional development goals and participate in program coaching requirements
4. Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, parents and students

Families & Communities

1. Work collaboratively with families and agencies/organizations to support children's needs
2. Implements recruitment strategies and activities through school, agency, parent and child contacts
3. Conduct home visits/conferences in collaboration with families to set and track goals for each child/family. Assists parents as primary teachers of their own children
4. Provide support and resources for families; connect parents with program resources and personnel, and encourage parent involvement in their child's education
5. Provide timely and effective communication with families and support staff regarding student's progress, behavior, and any concerns that arise including family and child goal setting
6. Distribute, collect, facilitate and tally all in-kind and volunteer activities
7. Provide a safe and secure environment for each child, including following health and safety policies and procedures
8. Implement active supervision procedures to ensure each child is safe and accounted for and work with staff to ensure facility security
9. Assist children with hand washing, tooth brushing, toileting/diapering, etc. to model appropriate personal hygiene development

View the complete job description here: Classroom Teacher - General Education

PAY INFORMATION

The 2026-2027 salary schedule has not yet been released. Based on the 2025-2026 salary scheudle, salary is starting at $52,821 to $59,485 per year, based on experience.

View the complete salary schedule here: 2025-2026 Teacher Salary Schedule

Pay Day: Last working day of each month.

HOURS & FTE

1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week, 9 months

CALENDAR
2025-2026 New SFEA Staff Calendar - 2026-2027 calendar coming soon!

BENEFIT INFORMATION
Benefits (only for positions 20 hours per week or more)

CURRENT DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

All current District employees interested in applying must complete an application.

Post-Offer Criminal Background Check Required
Relay Services for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial 711, then the desired number

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