Special Education Designation Bonus - Up to $1,500 *

*Payable 5/31/2025 if hired on or before 11/1/2024

Valid Arizona Special Ed Certification/Early Childhood required at the time of hire.

UCP of Central Arizona is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Education Lead Teacher to join our team. As a Special Education Teacher, you will play a crucial role in providing individualized instruction and support to young children with special needs. Your primary responsibility will be to create a positive and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic, social, and emotional growth for all children. This position requires excellent communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and a genuine passion for helping young children with diverse learning needs.

You will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of the assigned classroom using developmentally appropriate practices, and the supervision of Early Learning Center Teachers Assistants and Aides.

UCP Early Learning Center (ELC) is a Quality First 5-Star and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Located in north Phoenix (Deer Valley Area) the Laura Dozer campus has a beautiful playground and a garden for the older classrooms.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with special needs, in collaboration with parents, general education teachers, and other support staff.
• Adapt and modify instructional materials and strategies to meet the unique learning needs of each child, ensuring access to the curriculum and fostering academic progress.
• Utilize a variety of teaching techniques, resources, and technologies to engage students and promote active learning.
• Assess student progress regularly, using formal and informal assessments, and maintain accurate records of child's performance and achievements.
• Collaborate with general education teachers and support staff to ensure effective inclusion and integration of children with special needs into the general education classroom
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians, providing updates on student progress, discussing concerns, and soliciting input to support student success.
• Collaborate with other professionals, such as speech therapists and occupational therapists to develop and implement appropriate interventions and accommodations.
• Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes respect, empathy, and understanding among students, while addressing behavioral challenges effectively.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency in creating and implementing IEPs
• Strong knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for working with students with diverse learning needs.
• Ability to adapt instructional strategies and materials to meet individual student needs
• Proficiency in using technology and educational software to enhance instruction and student engagement.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with current research and trends in special education.

Required Education & Experience

• Valid teaching certification in PRE-K Special Education (state-specific) or K-12 certification with Pre-K endorsement. Required at time of hire
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• 1-year of supervisory experience (Preferred)
• Must have 1-year experience working with children with special needs (Preschool aged preferred).
• Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Negative results of a Mantoux TB test
• Maricopa County Food Handler Certification
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Immunization verification

UCP of Central Arizona is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and UCP’s achievement as well. UCP of Central Arizona is a Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply online at https://ucpofcentralaz.org/careers/

or send resume with salary requirements to Shelly Walkington at swalkington@ucpofcentralaz.org