Norris is accepting applications for a K-5 life skills teacher for the 2026-27 school year. This position will provide instruction that is focused on the Nebraska extended indicators, functional academics, and social skills. The Norris Special Education Department strives to support students with disabilities in learning and thinking to be successful in and outside of school.  The candidate chosen to fill this position will work closely with experienced special education teachers in both the elementary and intermediate schools in planning program curriculum.  Program specifics include:

Required Qualifications

• Valid Nebraska teaching certificate
• Appropriate Special Education endorsement (or ability to obtain)
• Knowledge of Nebraska Rule 51 and Rule 10 requirements
• Experience with IEP development, progress monitoring, and collaborative service delivery preferred

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing students’ cognitive, emotional, and social capacities for learning.
• Maintaining a classroom atmosphere conducive to enhancing interpersonal relationships, social skills, problem resolution, and decision-making while achieving academic success.
• Assesses students’ skills and determines their educational needs
• Adapts general lessons to meet students’ needs
• Develops Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
• Plan activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
• Provides services to students utilizing a variety of service delivery models including, co-teaching, small groups, and one-on-one instruction.
• Updates IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
• Discusses students’ progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators
• Plans for and uses paraprofessionals effectively to support the students
• Prepares and helps students transition from grade to grade and from school to life outside of school
• Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to provide an orderly, productive environment in the classroom.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and lesson planning and student progress toward IEP goals as required by district procedures and applicable laws.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district, and/or in self-selected professional growth activities.
• Works cooperatively with other special education teachers at the elementary and intermediate school levels to plan a balanced special education program.
• Participates cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which he/she will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.
• Maintains open lines of communication with parents, guardians, and staff.
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve problems.
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
• Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Selects and requisitions consumable supplies, equipment, and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records.
• Maintains control of storage and use of school-owned property.
• Participates in the curriculum review process and other professional development programs.
• Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
• Performs other duties as needed, as assigned by the supervisor.

BENEFITS

• Base pay 2026-27: $41,700
• All years of service accepted. 4% vertical, 5% horizontal salary schedule (9 graduate credit hour horizontal increments)
• Full single or family insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska 
• 88 hours (11 days) non-specified leave per year
• Additional benefits include paid parental leave, dental, vision, and life insurance, etc.

From PDF Description

A. Job Title: Teacher
B. Department: Instruction
C. Education Level and Certification: Bachelor’s degree required. Must at all times
during employment possess a Nebraska Teaching Certificate with such endorsements as
required by NDE Rule 10 and all other certification and training as required or assigned.
D. Reports To: Principal or Principal’s Designee
E. Required Job Tasks
1. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order
among the students for whom they are responsible.
2. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and
physical health.
3. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate
those objectives to students.
4. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying
needs and interests.
5. Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects,
such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
6. Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments in order to evaluate students'
progress.
7. Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration,
and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and
investigate.
8. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district
policies, and administrative regulations.
9. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
10. Assign lessons and correct homework.
11. Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
12. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators in
order to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
13. Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning
opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
14. Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum
guidelines or requirements of the State and the school district.
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Job Description
1 of 4 Norris School District 160
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15. Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to
determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
16. Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special
academic interests.
17. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
18. Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
19. Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon
request of immediate supervisors.
20. Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and
cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
21. Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to
determine student strengths and areas of need.
22. Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote
physical, mental, and social development.
23. Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other
experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
24. Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and
supplies.
25. Serve as a role model to all students.
26. Serve as a positive member of the community in a way that does not negatively
affect the District’s reputation or image in the community.
27. Refrain from engaging in conduct that interferes with the operations of the
District, including the education of students.
28. Develop and maintain a positive and professional working relationship with other
staff and administration.
29. Adhere to all District policies, rules, regulations, and supervisory directives.
30. Maintain confidentiality of information concerning staff, students, and parents in
accordance with law and District rules.
31. Adhere to the code of ethics of the District and the Nebraska Department of
Education (NDE Rule 27).
F. FLSA Status: Exempt.
Professional exemption: The employee has a primary duty of performing work requiring
knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a
prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study or has a primary duty of
teaching, tutoring, instructing, or lecturing in the activity of imparting knowledge and is
employed and engaged in this activity as a teacher.
G. Essential Functions: The essential functions of the Teacher position include: (1) regular,
dependable in-person attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified tasks
and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities and to perform the
identified work activities; and (3) the ability to perform the following identified physical
requirements:
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Physical Requirements
Teacher
E = Essential
NE = Non-Essential
NE NE E E E
Stamina
1. Sitting X
2. Walking X
3. Standing X
4. Sprinting/Running X
Flexibility
5. Bending or twisting at the neck more than the average person X
6. Bending or twisting at the trunk more than the average person X
7. Squatting/Stooping/Kneeling X
8. Reaching above the head X
9. Reaching forward X
10. Repeating the same hand, arm or finger motion many times (For
example: typing, data entry, etc.) X
Activities
11. Climbing (on ladders, into large trucks/vehicles, etc.) X
12. Hand/grip strength X
13. Driving on the job X
14. Typing non-stop X
Use of Arms and Hands
15. Manual dexterity (screwing a lid on a jar) X
16. Finger dexterity (typing) X
Lifting Requirements
17. Lifting up to 10 pounds (Mark all that apply)
Floor to waist X
Waist to shoulder X
Shoulder to overhead X
18. Lifting 11 to 25 pounds (Mark all that apply)
Floor to waist X
Waist to shoulder X
Shoulder to overhead X
19. Lifting 26 to 50 pounds (Mark all that apply)
Floor to waist X
Waist to shoulder X
Shoulder to overhead X
20. Lifting 51 to 75 pounds (Mark all that apply)
Floor to waist X
Waist to shoulder X
Shoulder to overhead X
21. Lifting 76 plus pounds (Mark all that apply)
Floor to waist X
Waist to shoulder X
Shoulder to overhead X
22. Can load/items weighing over 50 pounds that are lifted or carried be
shared, or reduced into smaller loads? X
Pushing/Pulling
23. 25 to 50 pounds X
24. 51 to 75 pounds X
25. 76 to 90 pounds X
26. Over 90 pounds X
Carrying
27. 10 to 25 pounds X
28. 26 to 50 pounds X
29. 51 to 75 pounds X
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3 of 4 Norris School District 160
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30. 76 to 90 pounds X
31. Over 90 pounds X
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Job Description
4 of 4 Norris School District 160
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