Job Description:
Teacher – Special Education Preschool
Apache Junction Unified School District
Full-Time | Exempt – Term Employee
Salary: Starting Base Salary $46,700 (based on verified contracted teaching experience)
Reports To: Principal
SUMMARY
The Preschool Special Education Teacher instructs young children in activities designed to promote foundational learning concepts, skill development, and positive attitudes that support growth into capable, confident, and responsible students.
WHAT YOU’LL LEAD & SUPPORT
Champion AJUSD’s Kids First mission through every interaction with students, families, and colleagues.
Plan and deliver a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of preschool students.
Create a classroom environment that is safe, nurturing, and conducive to learning.
Guide the learning process toward curriculum goals and establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
Use instructional methods and materials appropriate for meeting stated objectives and student needs.
Assess student learning regularly and provide progress reports as required.
Diagnose learning challenges and collaborate with district specialists as needed.
Communicate and collaborate with colleagues, families, and students on a regular basis.
Support the administration in implementing policies and rules governing student conduct.
Develop reasonable classroom expectations and maintain a positive, orderly environment.
Participate in extracurricular assignments as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the District or school site.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Appropriate and current Arizona Teaching Certificate.
Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (IVP# required).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, and procedural documents; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively with students, staff, and families. The role requires competency in basic mathematics, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, as well as computing rate, ratio, and percent and interpreting basic graphs. Candidates must also be able to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram-based instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, lifting, reaching, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Employees may be exposed to body fluids, odors, dust, poor ventilation, varying temperatures, and moderate noise levels.
Employees may be required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
Apache Junction Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), or disability in its employment practices.
ADA STATEMENT
AJUSD is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including the application process, hiring, job duties, and access to benefits and training. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position or to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Department.
Lead With Purpose. Serve With Heart. Put Kids First.
Apache Junction Unified School District is seeking a compassionate, student-centered Preschool Special Education Teacher who believes deeply in our Kids First mission. We are looking for an educator who builds strong relationships, supports early learners with diverse needs, and contributes to a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
This role is essential in helping our youngest students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. If you are committed to early childhood education, collaboration, and equitable learning opportunities, we would love to meet you.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
AJUSD offers a competitive, supportive benefits package that includes: