Teacher - Growing Up Successfully (GUS) - Kindergarten/1st Grade 2026-2027

Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years. Employment Type:Full-timeBase Salary:$55,386.00Calandar:Certified Exempt, 187 workdaysBenefits:Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurancePerformance Pay:Available annuallyAnnual Stipend:$3150 Other certified Special Education positions$7875 Autism, Emotional Disability, SHARP or MCS locationsNew Hire Experience:$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experienceNew Hire Education:$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degreesCertification:Alternate teaching certification pathways available with a bachelor’s degreeJob Summary:The GUS teacher works directly and aggressively with identified students to acquire behaviors that substantially increase their social, behavioral and academic performance. These students have been identified by Behavior Services and referred and approved to attend the Tier 3 intervention of the GUS program for intensive behavior intervention and support. Under the supervision of the building principal and Director of Student Support Systems, the GUS teacher will provide diversified strategies and activities specifically designed for targeted students. The GUS teacher may also provide indirect support and direction at the school level, working to design, implement, coordinate and evaluate a comprehensive behavior support program.Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.Key Responsibilities:Effectively support student acquisition of core curriculum and content standards identified by the State of Arizona and Mesa Public SchoolsResponsibilities will include defining and measuring behavior, understanding principles of reinforcement, teaching new behavior, implementing strategies for weakening behavior, and identifying antecedentsFacilitate team meetings with the identified student’s teachers and parents for the purpose of completing a Functional Behavioral Assessment as neededFacilitate team meetings that: design behavior interventions plans; address classroom organization, effective instruction, social skills instruction, and ethical issues; School-wide Positive Behavioral Support; and factors that affect effectiveness including social validity and treatment integrityWork with individual teachers, groups of teachers and/or the entire staff on issues such as: crisis intervention and factors that can affect development and implementation of interventionsPromote highly specialized positive behavior interventions in which “at risk” students thrive: behavior instruction that is explicit, intensive, accelerated and provides ample practiceUse ongoing assessments to maintain a record of student progressDevelop a repertoire of assessment strategies consistent with instructional goals, teaching methods, and individual student needs to more accurately assess student behavior skills and understandingsRegard assessment as a joint venture through which both student and teacher understanding is enhancedCreate fair and equitable assessments to assess higher-order thinking and problem solving as well as individual skills, knowledge, and understandingModel good assessment processes that assist students in assessing their own work and behaviorProvide recognition of a variety of student accomplishments and positive behaviorsWork cooperatively with building administrators to promote positive student behavior by providing professional development that targets research, strategies and modeling of instructional practices to support teachers in their implementation of positive behavior support in their classroomsContinually supervise students to ensure a safe, non-threatening, nurturing environment where students can thriveEngage in on-going professional development to increase knowledge and skills of positive student behavior support for all students, targeted students and students who represent sub-group populationsEngage parents in the “student behavior intervention plan” process and empower parents by providing them with skills and techniques to support the positive behavior development of their childParticipate in building level PLC teams and/or grade level meetings, as appropriateConsult with school social worker, counselor, and teachersAttend professional development opportunities to maintain high level of skill and knowledge of current research and practicesComply with all safety policies, practices and procedures; ASPEN CertificationProvide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skillParticipate in building level PLC teams and/or grade level meetings, as appropriateAssists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public SchoolsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work or a related fieldValid Arizona Teaching CertificateThree to five years successful elementary classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of “at risk” and/or “behaviorally challenged” students were includedHighly qualified elementary teacher with successful completion of a Behavior Specialist Certificate Program (preferred but will train the right teacher)Collaborating with schools, nonprofits, or community organizations to create impactful programs for youthSkills & Competencies:Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a GraduateDemonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and communityKnowledge of function-based intervention planning for developing behavior change strategies that focuses on reducing problem behavior and increasing more appropriate behaviorServe as a consultant to teachers, and parentsOrganize and schedule time commitments to meet demands of the jobExpert knowledge of techniques needed to successfully complete effective Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), function –based interventions, and Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (PBIP)Exceptional knowledge in the use of assessment and assessment data to inform instruction and prescribe work plans for individual studentsExpert knowledge in research based instructional strategies and ability to implement them effectivelyExceptional knowledge in the use of technology to support instructionDemonstrate ability to plan and evaluate strategies for improving instructionAscribes to the philosophy that all children can succeed and demonstrates the commitment to do what is necessary to make this a realityDemonstrates exceptional skill in the roles of a teacher leader: collaborator, action researcher, reflective practitioner, and learner advocateWork Environment & Physical Requirements:Working in traditional classrooms within schools or community centersConducting online sessions through video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)May include evening or weekend work to accommodate students’ availability or special eventsStanding or walking during lessons, workshops, or presentations for extended periodsSetting up materials, arranging classrooms, or carrying supplies (e.g., books, laptops, flip charts) – up to 40 lbs. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.