Onward Education is partnering with a school partner in *Hartford** County, **CT* to hire a *Special Education** Teacher* to support an in-person *functional/life skills classroom* serving grades 3-5. This is a great fit for an educator who enjoys hands-on, skills-based instruction and building student independence through structured routines and real-world learning. *Brief **Role** Summary* In this role, you'll lead a classroom focused on functional academics, daily living skills, social communication, and independence. You'll collaborate with the school team to create a supportive, consistent environment where students can grow skills they'll use in and out of school. *Position Details:* * *Role:* Special Education Teacher (Functional / Life Skills) * *Setting:* *On-site* (in-person only) * *Location:* *Hartford County, CT* * *Schedule:* Full-time, ~37.5-40 hours/week (school-day schedule approximately 8:20 AM-3:40 PM) * *Grade level:* 3-5 * *Start/End:* December 2026 through early March 2027, with option to extend *Responsibilities:* * Deliver instruction aligned to IEP goals with an emphasis on functional academics and independence-building skills. * Build and maintain a structured classroom environment that supports routines, behavior expectations, and positive reinforcement. * Develop and adapt lessons that may include daily living skills and self-help routines, practical math and reading applications, social interaction and communication skills, and pre-vocational or school-based functional tasks as age and needs appropriate. * Collaborate closely with related service providers and school team members to support student progress. * Maintain clear documentation and progress monitoring that supports IEP implementation. *Qualifications:* * Special education teaching experience supporting students with moderate to significant needs; functional/life skills programming experience is a plus. * Strong classroom management skills with a calm, consistent approach. * Ability to differentiate instruction and adjust supports to meet a wide range of learning needs. * Collaborative mindset and clear communication with school teams and families. *What We Offer:* * Competitive pay and benefits package. * Access to a wide network of schools and districts for diverse placement options. * Streamlined hiring process to get you started quickly. * Ongoing communication and advocacy throughout your placement. * Personalized support from dedicated recruiting professionals. * Opportunities for professional growth and development. *Why Apply?* If you're passionate about creating positive change and supporting students' success, this is the opportunity for you! Work alongside a dedicated team of educators and support staff, helping students reach their full potential. *Ready to join us? Apply today - we can't wait to hear from you!* Employer Details: * * Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in an employment with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO. * * In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. * * Onward Search is unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp or Independent Contractor arrangements at this time. All freelancers will be paid as W2 employees. * * Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as a 401k program, for all eligible full-time temporary assignments. * * Onward Search is a drug-free workplace. * * Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing, and technology. Our clients are continuously turning to us to fill their open positions. Therefore, there is no application deadline for this position, as we are seeking candidates for this type of role across all our clients on an ongoing basis.