Special Education Teacher (Cross Categorical) - Gompers - 1.0 FTE - 26-27 SY

MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants with a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.

About the District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving a diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color, almost half come from low-income households, and nearly one-third are English Language Learners, with over 100 languages represented in our schools. MMSD is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive, with a vision to ensure every school is a thriving school where all children achieve academically, thrive, and graduate ready for college, career, and community.

Responsibilities

• Use standards (CCSS, SELS, Language) to identify common learning targets that represent what all students should know, do, and understand.
• Use knowledge of students’ background, interests, culture, language, individual needs, and assessment data to inform planning.
• Develop daily and weekly plans to support student growth toward mastery of standards.
• Create common year-long/course plans that identify essential questions and resources to support student learning.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
• Instruct students individually and in groups using various teaching methods (lectures, discussions, demonstrations) to build engagement, collaboration, and independence.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
• Provide daily opportunities for students to describe reasoning, share explanations, make conjectures, justify conclusions, and negotiate meaning.
• Plan formative assessments to show evidence of learning.
• Use multiple ways to check for student understanding and adjust instruction based on gathered information.
• Provide meaningful feedback that reinforces effort, recognition, and promotes student involvement and progress.
• Facilitate teacher-to-student, student-to-student, and student-to-teacher feedback both orally and in writing.
• Analyze data and adjust instruction based on student achievement, observation, and teacher practice data.
• Establish rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Meet with parents/guardians to discuss student progress, priorities, and resource needs.
• Collaborate with staff to support student learning, including team planning and co-teaching.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (official transcripts required for formal employment).
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) teaching license in Special Education.
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis; fully licensed applicants will be prioritized.
• If you do not have an active Wisconsin teaching license, you must obtain and maintain the necessary license(s) for the position. An application for licensure must be on file within 30 days of starting employment.
• Unlicensed candidates may be considered but must be hired by a school district to apply for a One-Year License with Stipulations with DPI.

Skills

• High Expectations for Every Student: Demonstrate through actions and words that every student can achieve high standards, with a commitment to excellence and equity.
• Quality Instructional Practice: Plan and execute rigorous, engaging units and lessons, including scaffolds, interventions, and extensions to meet diverse learning needs.
• Cultural Competence: Understand systems and beliefs that may lead to inequitable outcomes and adapt instruction to meet the needs of each student, linking content to student experiences and goals.
• Data Proficiency: Use data beyond standardized assessments to diagnose student learning needs and differentiate instruction.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborate with peers to reflect on student achievement and teacher practice data to continuously improve instruction.
• Student & Family Engagement: Build relationships with students and engage families as full partners in their children’s education.
• Resilience & Results Orientation: Persist in the face of challenges and find excitement in overcoming them.
• Self-Awareness & Growth Mindset: Reflect on strengths and growth areas regularly and seek mentors to improve.

Benefits

MMSD offers a great compensation package. Visit the benefits page and compensation page for more information.

Pay

Minimum annual compensation: $53,525 (based on the 26-27 TE Salary Schedule).

Schedule

• Length of contract: 192 days.
• Employment type: Exempt.
• Work may require travel within the district and to off-site meetings, as well as occasional evenings, nights, and weekends.
• School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed under generally safe and comfortable conditions with minimal exposure to environmental risks.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and may involve walking, sitting, stooping, or reaching.
• Manual dexterity is necessary for operating office equipment.
• May require being stationary for extended periods.
• Work may be performed in various indoor and outdoor environments, including spaces without air conditioning, areas with uncomfortable or fluctuating temperatures, and in inclement weather.