Essential Elements Teacher

Location: Meadowlark Elementary School, Salt Lake City, Utah

Starting Date: Aug 11, 2026

Employment Type: Full‑time

Contract Days: 185 Days

FTE: 1.0

Salary: Certified Schedule #19

Benefits: Eligible

Priority Screen Date: End of day on 6/13/2026

Job Summary

This position plans and provides instruction to students based on state, District, and school curricula and requirements, and based on the students’ IEPs in a severe self‑contained classroom.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university, or will complete a bachelor degree program prior to the contract start date.
• Valid Professional or Associate Utah Special Educator License and endorsement, a valid Special Educator License and endorsement from another state that is transferrable to Utah, or will complete a teaching program prior to the contract start date that will lead to a Professional Utah Special Educator License and endorsement.
• Professional communication skills including, but not limited to: excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; confident, articulate, and professional speaking abilities; and empathic listening and persuasive speaking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual Speaker: speaks, reads, writes and understands spoken Spanish or other language representative of student population.
• Have an ESL endorsement or will obtain one within 4 years of hire.
• Previous teaching experience.
• Experience with grade level/content PLC’s/data meetings for analysis of student data to inform instructional practices for highest student achievement.
• Knowledge of effective English Language Learners teaching practices; student social‑emotional learning, accelerated/extended learning programs and special needs students, including laws and regulations of special education and 504 plans.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Demonstrates Effective Planning and Preparation

• Demonstrates knowledge of content pedagogy and knowledge of students and their developmental needs.
• Develops clear and relevant instructional goals based on important content area concepts and suitability for students.
• Uses a wide variety of resources appropriate for diverse learning styles.
• Designs coherent instruction for flexible groupings that includes, clear and focused lesson structure and appropriate timing according to student needs.
• Plans lessons with assessment in mind.

Establishes a Classroom Environment Conducive to Learning

• Creates a respectful classroom environment by establishing positive and respectful teacher‑student interactions that are appropriate to developmental and cultural norms.
• Establishes a culture for learning by setting an expectation for learning and achievement, conveying the importance of the content, and displaying knowledge of students’ skills.
• Manages classroom procedures and protocols, including those regarding instructional groups, transitions, handling materials and supplies, and performing non‑instructional duties.
• Manages student behavior by establishing clear expectations, monitoring, and dealing with students throughout class time, and following through appropriately to correct misbehavior while respecting student dignity.
• Organizes classroom space for safety and for effective learning.

Provides Effective Instruction

• Communicates clearly and accurately, using appropriate vocabulary for age and interests.
• Uses questioning and discussion techniques effectively to engage students.
• Engages students in learning through use of content activities and assignments, student groupings, a wide variety of instructional materials, and the structure and pacing of the lessons.
• Provides specific and timely feedback to students.
• Is flexible and responsive to student learning by adjusting lessons, responding to student questions and interests, and persisting in providing a variety of approaches when students have difficulties.
• Plans, collaborates, and co‑teaches with general education teacher to ensure students access to the general education curriculum, to the extent possible.
• Knows and uses the DLM and Utah Essential Core.

Demonstrates Professional Responsibility

• Reflects on own teaching by assessing a lesson’s effectiveness and drawing on a repertoire of alternative approaches.
• Maintains accurate records of students’ completion of assignments, student progress, and other non‑instructional records.
• Communicates to engage families in the instructional program by providing information about the instructional programs and individual student progress.
• Contributes to the school and the District by establishing and maintaining professional relationships with colleagues and participating in District and school projects/extracurricular activities.
• Grows and develops professionally by seeking out opportunities for professional development and by participating in professional service activities.
• Shows professio…