Special Education Teacher (SDC & RSP) 2026-2027

Special Education Teacher (SDC & RSP) 2026-2027

Full time • San José Unified School District

Job Details

Start Date

August 2026

Salary

$72,051.00 - $138,338.00 per year

Grades

Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Subjects

Special Education, Resource Specialist Teacher (RSP), Special Day Class Teacher (SDC), Education Specialist

The impact you will have: As an Education Specialist, you will serve as an instructional leader dedicated to empowering students with diverse learning needs to reach their full potential. You will support students in building strong academic foundations, developing social-emotional skills, and strengthening the life skills necessary for independence and long-term success. Our district offers a continuum of programs from preschool through postsecondary, providing meaningful opportunities to make an impact at every stage of a student’s journey. We are seeking passionate, student-centered educators who believe in high expectations, inclusive practices, and inspiring every learner to discover their own greatness. A more detailed job description is available at https://sjusd.box.com/v/educationspecialist.

Who you are: You are a compassionate and skilled educator who believes every student can thrive with the right supports and high expectations. You are committed to inclusive practices, collaboration, and implementing IEPs with fidelity while focusing on meaningful student growth. Above all, you are passionate about empowering students with diverse learning needs to build confidence, independence, and lifelong skills.

An SDC teacher (Special Day Class teacher) is a credentialed special education teacher who provides specialized, intensive instruction to students with IEPs who require more support than can be provided in a general education classroom alone. SDC teachers work with smaller class sizes and tailor instruction to meet students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and life skill goals.

An RSP teacher (Resource Specialist Program teacher) supports students with IEPs who spend most of their day in general education classrooms. The RSP teacher provides specialized instruction, targeted academic support, and helps implement accommodations and modifications to ensure students can access grade-level curriculum. RSP teachers also collaborate closely with general education teachers and families to monitor progress and support student success.

What you will need to apply:

• Resume and Letter of Introduction outlining desire and qualifications for this position
• Two (2) letters of reference from prior supervisors
• Transcripts of your undergraduate degree, and graduate degrees if applicable. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes only.
• Evidence of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement, such as CBEST, PRAXIS, SAT, ACT results or coursework evaluation by uploading additional transcripts including community or junior colleges and unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes only.
• Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Credential including Autism Authorization or Extensive Support Need | Mod/Severe | Mild Moderate Support Need Credential - attachment should include document number assigned by the CTC. Please note that your assigned role will be dependent on which credential you have.
• EL Authorization
• Entry of all past employers in the work history section of this application (please see Education Code section 44939.5 - as amended by California AB2534)

AB-2534 Employment History

As of January 1, 2025, in accordance with Education Code section 44939.5 (as amended by California AB2534) applicants for certificated positions are required by law to provide a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school and/or state special school with which you have previously been employed, regardless of the length of service. For all certificated positions, please be comprehensive in disclosing any part-time, full-time and substitute employment.

Failure to disclose any previous educational employment may result in the disqualification of your application.

You must list all previous LEAs (Local Education Agencies) where you have been employed. If multiple LEAs are within the same district, only the district information is required. An LEA is a local entity involved in education including but not limited to school districts, county offices of education, direct-funded charter schools, and special education local plan area (SELPA).

When will you hear back from us: Within seven days of applying, we will inform you if you will be moving forward in our hiring process and share next steps. If there is a delayed response, feel free to reach out to credentials@sjusd.org.

Note to internal applicants:

• Even though we may have some information on file for you, we encourage you to submit a letter of introduction highlighting your qualifications and interest in this role, as well as any other information you would like to share. Where applicable, please also note which available location you are applying to.
• To be eligible to interview, you will need to be in permanent status and have passed probation.

What we offer: San José Unified offers a fantastic team and system of supports. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package which includes free medical and dental coverage for our employees who work at least a 0.75 FTE (30 hours per week), as well as 21-vacation days, and 11-paid holidays for 10-month employees! For 11-month employees, you earn 21-vacation days and 12-paid holidays. For 12-month employees, you earn 27-vacation days and 13-paid holidays. Our certificated staff receive mac laptops and have on-site technology support. We provide free induction to teachers needing to clear their credential. All certificated staff receive fantastic professional development throughout the year and opportunities for one-on-one coaching with site or district coaches.

Who we are: San José Unified is an innovative urban school district that prepares today’s students to be the thinkers, leaders, and creators of tomorrow. We are reinventing the education system by bringing together teachers and staff with parents and students, inspiring each to discover their own greatness. Serving over 25,000 students from transitional kindergarten through post secondary in 41 schools from Downtown San José to the Almaden Valley, San José Unified is Silicon Valley’s largest and most diverse school system. We welcome instructional and support staff who are interested in making a difference in the lives of San José children.

San José Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, marital, parental or family status, color, mental or physical disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in its educational programs and activities or employment practices as required by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vocational Education Act of 1976. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the District’s programs. Students, parents, employees, or others who wish further information about these regulations, or who wish to file a complaint, should contact the following persons: 

For Title IX, discrimination, equity or Section 504 Compliance complaints involving students: 

Director of Student Services, Michelle Reghitto at 408-535-6080 (mreghitto@sjusd.org), 855 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126

For Title IX, discrimination or equity complaints involving staff:

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dominic Bejarano at 408-535-6139 (jbejarano@sjusd.org), 855 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126

For facilities or other ADA complaints:

Director of Maintenance, Grounds and Operations, Denny Pini at 408-535-6200 (dpini@sjusd.org), 855 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126