Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher

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Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools!

Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is located in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Chicago and Detroit), serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, we offer a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education.

In 2017, BCPS received an historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and we are continuing our transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career, college, and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school. In May of 2023, we were thrilled to announce an average teacher pay increase of more than $10,000, positioning us as one of the best paying districts for teachers in Southwest Michigan.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits (including up to $20k in home purchase assistance), and opportunities for professional development. Apply now and join the Bearcat family.

Position Summary:

Responsible for teaching pre-school students in a special education classroom or other natural environments.

Position Responsibilities:

• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students and provides a learning climate for the students.
  
• Assume responsibility for the safety, conduct and health of the students under his/her supervision.
  
• Ensure physical upkeep of the classroom and equipment is maintained.
  

Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and - in harmony with the goals * - establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.

• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
  
• Strive to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.
  

Qualifications:

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with one of the following:
  

+ Early Childhood Education Endorsement (ZA) with a Emotional Impairment Endorsement (SE)

+ Early Childhood PK General Education and Special Educaiton Endorsement (ZS) (does not require a SE endorsement)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• A high level of commitment to working within a culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse environment.
  
• Relationship builder.
  
• High expectations of self and a commitment to continuous improvement of professional practice.
  
• High expectations of students coupled with the ability to inspire and support students as they meet those expectations.
  
• A defined moral purpose that drives daily efforts on behalf of students.
  
• Adaptability.
  
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn and apply behavioral and academic RTI models.
  
• A willingness to fully participate in and contribute to a professional learning community.
  
• A positive attitude.
  
• A high level of perseverance and professional will.
  
• A strong belief in the individual worth of all students.
  
• A desire to teach life lessons that go beyond the textbook and classroom walls.
  
• A readiness to develop and apply a variety of best practices in the classroom, especially in the areas of instruction and classroom management.
  
• A proficiency with writing unit plans, pacing guides and daily lesson plans across multiple subjects
  
• A willingness to collaborate with peers across all facets of the work, providing constructive feedback and raising expectations for all students and staff
  
• Ability to bend, stoop, etc., to assist students
  

Salary: $50,000 - $82,010 (based on the BCEA Teacher Salary Schedule)

Contract: 188 Days

School Safety Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment.  All fees require for this check (estimated $73) are the responsibility of the successful applicant.