Special Education Permanent Support Specialist (Permanent Substitute)

2026-2027 School Year, working days 8/27/26-6/15/27. Salary pending approval of the 26/27 Compensation Package; 2025-2026 package details available online.

About the role

Provide classroom coverage as assigned when the special education teachers are absent. The permanent substitute must be confident teaching a wide range of developmental age groups from K-5, 6-8, or 9-12.

Reports to: Building Administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide specially designed instruction that aligns with students' IEPs in general education, resource, and self-contained settings.
• Assist general and special education teachers in planning and implementing classroom accommodations and specially designed instruction for students with disabilities.
• Differentiate instruction and integrate learning for students with disabilities.
• Proctor virtual student therapy sessions and/or virtual student evaluations as assigned.
• Communicate and liaise regularly with other teachers regarding planning, assessment, parent and community contact, and grade-level planning meetings.
• Follow through with classroom issues such as discipline, expectations, and routines.
• Communicate with parents and administrators or lead teachers when issues arise.
• Promote and establish integrative links and awareness among school colleagues.
• Take an active role in behavioral management.
• Attend and contribute constructively in staff meetings and professional development activities.
• Assist in supervision during student breaks.
• Maintain up-to-date records of assessment, attendance, planning, reports, conferences, and parent communication.
• Assist in the development of curricular materials as required.
• Participate in and assist with school events.
• Perform ad hoc duties not listed above.
• Teach in a manner that supports the mission and vision statement of the school.
• Cover classrooms or class periods as needed; assist other teachers with student assignments if no coverage is required.
• May be assigned to another building or Dual Immersion classrooms as needed.
• Improvise lessons in emergency situations where the teacher is unable to provide lesson plans.

Requirements

• Hold or be eligible to hold a Wyoming Special Education Generalist Certificate (issued by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board).
• Understand IDEA and Wyoming rules governing special education programs and services.
• Evidence of effective classroom and behavior management skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and collaborative decision-making skills.
• Knowledge or experience co-teaching within a general education classroom.
• Flexible and willing to adapt to change at short notice.
• Ability to teach day-to-day assignments or short-term positions.
• Ability to build relationships and communicate well with all students across grades K-12.
• Strong ability to communicate with parents, adapting to the developmental needs of students.
• Willingness to supervise extracurricular activities.
• Ability to contribute positively to the school culture and community.
• Ability to quickly adjust to different specialist subjects (Art, PE, Music, Spanish) and grade levels.
• Ability to take over classes with little advance notice.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, talk, hear, and sometimes walk or sit on the floor depending on the age of the children.
• May occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs, 0-12 feet, and on occasion up to 20 feet (e.g., equipment).
• Occasionally bend or twist at the neck more than average; lift arms to write on chalk or marking boards.
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach 0-24 inches and up to 36 inches above the head.
• Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision to read handwritten or typed material, ability to adjust focus, and exposure to screens via technology.
• Hearing ability to monitor activity and respond to communication with students and adults.
• Ability to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and staff.

Work Environment

• Noise level typically low to moderate but may become loud in group settings.
• Required to move between rooms and maneuver crowded hallways to provide instruction.
• Duties performed indoors and occasionally outdoors (e.g., playground duty, bus supervision).
• May be exposed to unpredictable weather conditions.
• Typically performed in a hazard-free, clean, and healthy environment.

Benefits

• Insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• 177-day contract