The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) is a critical part of Michigan’s education system serving the Greater Kalamazoo region and provides specialized services to schools and communities and optimizes resources by centralizing innovative programs and services. We partner with school districts and the broader community to offer essential programs including early childhood education, special education, career learning, and educator development, ensuring that learners of all ages receive the support they need.

We are currently seeking a Special Education Teacher, MOCI Elementary (This position qualifies for a signing bonus up to $3,000) at WoodsEdge Learning Center in Portage, Michigan.

The essential responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

Plan curriculum and prepare lessons and other instructional materials according to ability levels of students
Confer with parents, administrators, psychologists, social workers, and others to develop individual educational programs for students who are at different learning ability levels, including mild, moderate and sever cognitive impairments. This may include completing functional assessments of behavior and the development of support plans
Instruct students in academic subjects, utilizing various teaching techniques
Schedule, participate in and /or conduct Multidisciplinary Educational Teams (MET), Individual Educational Planning Team (IEPT) meetings to determine appropriate placement of students within education system
Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent living and economic self-sufficiency such as hygiene, safety, communication skills, pre-vocational skills, appropriate behavior and food preparation
Observe, evaluate and prepare reports on progress of students
Meet with parents to provide support and guidance in using community resources
Identify professional development programs and attend regularly to update expertise
Administer and interpret results of ability and achievement tests
Devise special teaching tools, techniques, and equipment
Regular and consistent attendance
Other duties as assigned

Benefits of Working at WoodsEdge:

2 Instructional Coaches
6 Person behavior team with a board certified BCBA
1 hour before and 1 hour after school without students (planning and meeting time)
State of the Art Building
Weekly PLC meetings
Built in professional development monthly
Tuition Reimbursement
Teacher Leaders - group of master teachers who help support our Instructional coaches with support in the classroom
Ancillary Staff (Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy) in house
Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Adapted PE for students
Supportive Admin

Qualified candidates will have bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsement/ approval in Mental Impairment (CI)/Cognitive Impairment with valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement.

This is a 11-month calendar position and in job grade 17 with an annual rate of pay between $53,588.00 and $113,115.00.

KRESA employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit offering that includes health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits through Michigan’s Office of Retirement Services, tuition reimbursement, student loan forgiveness and wellness incentives – all within a supportive and caring culture centered around our values of collaboration, innovation, compassion, integrity, and respect.

A Great Place to Live and Work

Kalamazoo was recently recognized as a great place to live in the 2024 50 Best Places to Live roundup by Money.com. Kalamazoo was noted for its abundant family-friendly activities and appreciation for artisan-crafted goods, as well as the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.

Notice of Non-discrimination: It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources. Contact information: 269-250-9200, 1819 E. Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49002.

Elementary MOCI Special Education Teacher