Special Education Teacher

<p><strong>YBGR, WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE</strong></p> <p>We have employees providing services to youth throughout Montana, working to change the trajectory of children's lives&nbsp;and having&nbsp;a positive impact.&nbsp;</p> We are a family of YBGR staff providing services to youth throughout Montana, working to change the trajectory of children&rsquo;s lives &ndash;<strong>&nbsp;to help them heal and recover!</strong>

Billings Campus - Billings, MT 59106

Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

<strong>Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, a nonprofit organization, is trusted locally and nationally as a leader in the field of mental health care for children and their families.</strong> <br /><br />Each day, YBGR&rsquo;s employees work with close to 1200 youth throughout Montana who struggle with controlling emotions and behaviors. YBGR has impacted more than 10,000 youth and their families since 1957 through Residential Services in Billings, Community Based Services throughout Montana, and the Yellowstone Academy in Billings. https://www.ybgr.org/

keywords: position summary,position details,teamwork,educate,compliance,support,evaluate,communication,documentation,goals,qualifications,skills,application process

Full Time

$41,890.00 - $83,332.00 Salary/year

Overview: <p><strong>ABOUT YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Yellowstone Academy (YA) provides a supportive, structured, and student-centered learning environment focused on academic growth, career readiness, and character development. YA serves both a residential population of students from throughout the United States and a day school population from surrounding Montana school districts.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are committed to helping students develop the skills necessary for success in school, career, and life. Our team emphasizes consistency, structure, emotional support, and meaningful relationships to promote student growth and achievement.&nbsp;<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>POSITION OVERVIEW&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Yellowstone Academy is seeking a qualified Special Education Teacher dedicated to working with a diverse student population in need of individualized instruction, consistency, structure, and emotional support.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Special Education Teacher will provide engaging, standards-aligned instruction tailored to the individual academic, behavioral, and developmental needs of students with disabilities. This position plays a vital role in helping students achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, strengthen academic and functional skills, and prepare for successful transitions to future educational settings, post-secondary opportunities, and meaningful employment.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yellowstone Academy offers intentionally small special education caseloads and class sizes of up to 12 students, allowing teachers to focus on individualized instruction, meaningful relationships, and student progress. Each Special Education Teacher works closely with an assigned Behavior Specialist (BS), Paraeducator, and Therapist who provide direct support to students within their caseload. This team-based approach provides consistent classroom, behavioral, and therapeutic support. Teachers also benefit from accessible, hands-on administrative support.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yellowstone Academy utilizes a relationship-based approach to education, supported by collaboration among academic, residential, clinical, and support staff. Students may present with academic gaps, behavioral challenges, or social-emotional needs. Successful candidates demonstrate patience, flexibility, and a commitment to structured, relationship-based instruction.&nbsp;</p> <p>The ideal candidate will collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement IEPs, design individualized lesson plans, monitor student progress, and support students in achieving their educational goals. The successful candidate will maintain a fun, interactive classroom environment that is structured, organized, safe, and conducive to learning.&nbsp;</p> <p>Because YA operates year-round, summer employment opportunities and additional instructional opportunities for extra compensation are available.&nbsp;<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>COMPENSATION &amp; BENEFITS&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Salary Range: $41,890 &ndash; $83,332 (DOE).&nbsp;</li> <li>Participation in the Montana Teachers&rsquo; Retirement System (TRS).&nbsp;</li> <li>Health and benefits package.&nbsp;</li> <li>Professional development opportunities.&nbsp;</li> <li>Small special education caseloads and class sizes of up to 12 students.&nbsp;</li> <li>Assigned Behavior Specialist, Paraeducator, and Therapist working collaboratively with the teacher and their student caseload.&nbsp;</li> <li>Accessible, hands-on administrative support and collaborative problem-solving.&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong multidisciplinary team support, including academic, residential, and clinical professionals.&nbsp;</li> <li>Additional paid opportunities for year-round instruction, including summer school, credit recovery, and enrichment programming.&nbsp;</li> </ul>
Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Provide specially designed instruction aligned with Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) standards and individual student IEP goals.</li> <li>Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs in compliance with federal and Montana special education requirements.&nbsp;</li> <li>Deliver individualized and small-group instruction in academic, functional, behavioral, and life skills.&nbsp;</li> <li>Differentiate instruction and adapt curriculum to accommodate diverse learning abilities and educational needs.&nbsp;</li> <li>Develop and implement appropriate accommodations, modifications, and instructional interventions.&nbsp;</li> <li>Monitor student progress toward IEP goals using assessments, data collection, and ongoing progress monitoring.&nbsp;</li> <li>Participate in special education evaluations, eligibility determinations, annual IEP reviews, and reevaluations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Collaborate with the assigned Behavior Specialist, Paraeducator, and Therapist to coordinate academic, behavioral, and therapeutic supports for students on the teacher&rsquo;s caseload.&nbsp;</li> <li>Collaborate with academic, residential, clinical, and support staff to implement individualized educational and behavioral support plans.&nbsp;</li> <li>Implement positive behavioral interventions and supports while maintaining consistent classroom expectations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Support students in developing social-emotional skills, self-regulation, independence, and appropriate interpersonal relationships.&nbsp;</li> <li>Communicate regularly with parents, guardians, educational representatives, and other members of the student&rsquo;s educational team.&nbsp;</li> <li>Support transition planning, including postsecondary education, employment, independent living, and community readiness.&nbsp;</li> <li>Maintain accurate special education records, documentation, and reporting in compliance with federal and state requirements.&nbsp;</li> </ul>
Requirements: <ul> <li>Valid Montana teaching license with appropriate Special Education endorsement (or ability to obtain).&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong knowledge of special education instructional practices, IEP development, and individualized instruction.&nbsp;</li> <li>Understanding of federal and Montana special education requirements.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to engage and support students with diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.&nbsp;</li> <li>Strong classroom management, organizational, and communication skills.&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, families, and support staff.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>APPLICATION PROCESS&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Please submit:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Cover letter&nbsp;</li> <li>Resume&nbsp;</li> <li>Montana teaching license (or proof of eligibility)&nbsp;</li> <li>Three professional references&nbsp;</li> </ul> <br /> <p>Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.&nbsp;</p> <p>For questions about this position, please contact:&nbsp;<br /><br /> Keith Tresch&nbsp;<br /><br /> Email: <a href="mailto:ktresch@ybgr.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ktresch@ybgr.org&nbsp;</a><br /><br /> Phone: 406-651-2962&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /></p> <p><strong>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>To learn more about Yellowstone Academy, our mission, educational programs, and the students we serve, please visit: https://www.ybgr.org/about-yellowstone-academy/&nbsp;</p> <p>Yellowstone Academy provides general education, special education, vocational education, Title programs, and 504 services in a supportive, relationship-based learning environment. Located on the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch campus, YA combines individualized academic instruction with behavioral and therapeutic support.&nbsp;</p> <p>YA operates year-round with a traditional school year and summer school opportunities (additional compensation available). Students who complete high school graduation requirements may graduate at the completion of a semester.&nbsp;</p>