Special Education Teachers manage the campus Special Education caseload, conduct assessments, complete necessary meetings, and provide direct services using either a pull-out or push-in model within a full-inclusion framework. Key duties include developing and monitoring IEPs, adapting curriculum, utilizing SEIS for record-keeping, and implementing behavioral support strategies like PBIS.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree and a valid California Education Specialist teaching credential, along with a thorough understanding of special education laws like IDEA and IEPs. Essential qualities include excellent communication, organizational skills, empathy, patience, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.
About Us California Montessori Project is a public, tuition-free, TK-8, charter school network in the Greater Sacramento Area.
We have over 2,800 students at our six schools, which are authorized by the four school districts in which they geographically reside.
The California Montessori Project provides a Montessori curriculum, integrated with the California state standards, to provide hands-on education in a child-focused format.
Our classrooms are multi-grade, have small class sizes (averaging 24 students per class), and most have both a lead teacher and a teaching assistant.
We encourage peer-to-peer collaborations, small-group learning, and independence.
California Montessori Project offers an environment which has the tools, programs, resources and support to enable students to become educated to high international academic standards and to develop themselves to their fullest capacity as competent, happy, productive individuals, family members, workers, and contributors to a better society and a peaceful world.
Job Summary CMP embraces a full-inclusion model of service and instruction, while exercising professional discretion in building and designing a program that will best meet the needs of your students. With the freedom to be creative and innovative, Special Education Teachers manage the Special Education case load at the campus, complete student assessments and Special Education meetings as appropriate, and provide direct services to identified students in either a pull-out or push in model. Essential Functions:
Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Conduct ongoing assessments and observations to monitor students' academic and developmental progress, adjusting instructional strategies and goals as needed to promote optimal outcomes.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and monitor individualized education plans (IEPs) that align with Montessori principles and cater to each student's unique strengths and needs.
Inclusive Curriculum: Adapt and modify curriculum materials and teaching strategies to create an inclusive learning environment that caters to students across a range of abilities.
Instruction: Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students
SEIS Integration: Utilize the Special Education Information System (SEIS) to maintain accurate records, track student progress, and communicate with parents and fellow educators in a seamless and efficient manner.
Documentation: Develops, completes, and maintains all paperwork/documentation mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.
Differentiated Instruction: Implement differentiated instructional techniques to address varying learning styles, abilities, and levels within the classroom, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Collaborative Approach: Work closely with general education teachers, specialists, therapists, and support staff to facilitate collaborative learning experiences that enhance students' academic, social, and emotional growth.
Classroom Environment: Create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment that promotes students' independence, self-confidence, and collaboration. Ensure that each student’s needs are met and plans are being followed.
Behavioral Support: Utilize Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to teach and reinforce expectations. Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) to support students with challenging behaviors, fostering a positive and respectful classroom atmosphere.
Parent Communication: Maintain open and regular communication with parents and guardians, sharing student progress, strategies, and fostering a partnership that promotes student success.
Coach/Mentor: Coach/mentor other professionals who work with children with disabilities.
Oversee Special Education Teaching Assistants: Oversee and mentor teaching assistants, ensuring the effective implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) and fostering an inclusive learning environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of students.
Professional Development: Stay updated with best practices in special education, Montessori education, and SEIS usage through ongoing professional development opportunities.
Toileting support: Special education teachers often play a role in providing toileting support to ensure the well-being and comfort of their students. This is an important aspect of caring for students with special needs, particularly those who require assistance due to physical or cognitive disabilities. Work Environment:
Classroom Environment: This role often works in classrooms where conditions can vary. This may include exposure to noise, varying levels of student engagement, and the need to adapt to changing circumstances.
Emotional Demands: Working with students can be emotionally demanding but also incredibly rewarding. Must remain patient, compassionate, and composed, even in challenging situations.
Physical Demands
The role of a Special Education Teacher involves various physical demands due to the nature of working with students.
These demands may include:
Mobility: Moving around the classroom, engaging with students, and providing one-on-one assistance. This might include walking, bending, and kneeling.
Assisting
Students: Depending on the disabilities of the students, teachers might need to provide physical assistance with mobility, transfers, and activities of daily living, such as toileting and feeding.
Lifting: Some students may require lifting or guiding in and out of chairs, mobility devices, or sensory equipment. Teachers need to use proper techniques to avoid strain.
Bending and
Kneeling: When working with young children, Special Education Teachers might need to bend down or kneel to be at the child’s eye level during interactions.
Classroom
Setup: Organizing the classroom, arranging furniture, and setting up materials to accommodate students’ needs and facilitate learning.
Safety
Measures:
Safety
Protocols: Following established safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students.
Proper
Techniques: Utilizing appropriate techniques for assisting students with physical disabilities or behavioral challenges to prevent injury to both students and staff.
Health
Considerations: Adhering to health and hygiene standards and being mindful of any allergies or medical conditions that students may have.
Required
Education and
Experience:
Bachelor’s degree
Valid California Education Specialist teaching credential
Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education including IDEA, IEPS, and 504
Strong understanding of diverse learning needs, inclusion strategies, and differentiated instruction
Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with students, colleagues, parents, and specialists
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment
How To Apply
CMP is currently accepting applications for a full-time Special Education Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Knowledge of Montessori philosophy and teaching strategies is preferred. Candidates must complete an on-line application. Required documents must be scanned and attached to the Ed-join application to include all documents listed below:
Certification (Autism certificate or any other specialist certifications are a plus)
Copy of Credential
Credential Document Number
Letter of Introduction (include campus(es) preference)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (3 recent letters of reference attesting to your professional attributes)
Other (3 professional references, with at least one from someone in a supervisory role)
Resume
Market context
California special education roles remain in demand
California special education teacher openings are often competitive because districts need candidates who already hold a valid California Education Specialist credential and can manage IDEA, IEP, and compliance responsibilities. This role also calls for strong communication, organization, empathy, and patience, which are central to day-to-day collaboration with students, families, and support teams. Before applying, review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly confirm fit and save time researching the original posting.
