2025 - 2026 Special Education Teacher

Whole Child Education:
Socialemotional learning (SEL) and character development are core components of our curriculum emphasized in daily Crew blocks restorative practices and adventure trips for all grade levels.

Robust Student Support:
We prioritize small classes mental health services intervention teams and inclusive special education programming.

Diverse by Design:
DDES is committed to becoming a fully integrated K5 public school both racially and socioeconomically. We focus on antiracist practices culturally responsive curriculum and partnerships with BIPOC professionals to enrich our students learning.

Position Overview
The Special Education Teacher works closely with crew leaders administrators specialists and other DDES staff to support students with disabilities ensuring alignment with the principles of EL Education and DDESs mission. The Special Education Teacher sets rigorous academic goals for students and collaborates with crew leaders to plan and provide support through both pullout and pushin services. As the lead case manager for IEP evaluations service delivery and progress monitoring you will collaborate with IEP team members such as speechlanguage pathologists occupational therapists and mental health professionals to ensure that every student receives the support they need.

Impact
As a Special Education Teacher at DDES you will play a crucial role in shaping the educational experiences of students with disabilities. Your work will ensure that every student receives individualized support allowing them to engage fully with their peers and the broader school community. By helping students meet their goals academically socially and emotionally you will foster their independence and success both in school and in life.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach special education students through individualized and small group instruction as well as inclusion in the general education classroom.
• Develop and monitor IEPs in collaboration with IEP team members.
• Create individualized lesson plans and adapt teaching methods to meet students needs.
• Administer and interpret both formal and informal assessments.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians crew leaders specialists counselors and administrators to support students behavioral and academic needs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $52450 $77000/year (based on experience/hard to fill).
• Multiple pathways to salary increases not solely based on advanced degrees.
• Step and lane system that rewards dedication commitment and mastery of knowledge/skills.
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan: 100% paid by DDES.
• PERA retirement plan: With employer contributions.
• ShortTerm Disability: 100% paid by DDES (longterm optional).
• Paid parking/commuter costs: 100% covered by DDES.
• Generous paid time off: 10 days PTO plus 25 days of paid vacation/holidays.
• Vision care PERA 401k option and PERA life option available.
• Free onsite aftercare and summer camp: If your child attends DDES.

Professional Growth & Development

• Twoweek summer PD institute.

• Early release Fridays for weekly PD.

• Individual goaloriented peer coaching.

• Autonomy in lesson design and planning.

• Pathways to leadership development and opportunities for external PD through EL Education.
• Restorative practices training and Neurosequential Model in Education training.

Our Culture
At DDES we dont just accept differences we celebrate them support them and thrive on them for the benefit of our employees students and community. DDES seeks to recruit individuals of diverse backgrounds and support the retention and advancement of Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) within our organization. We are inclusive of people regardless of race ethnicity national origin gender sexual orientation socioeconomic status marital status age physical abilities political affiliation or religious beliefs. All employees are valued included and supported.

Ideal Candidates Will Possess:

• A commitment to continuously improving teaching and school culture through professional development coaching and inquiry.
• Evidence of implementing instructional practices that increase student learning and growth.
• A passion for diversity equity and inclusion and the creation of culturally responsive classrooms.
• The ability to collaborate with a highperforming team and have open honest conversations.
• A deep alignment with the core principles of EL Education and a commitment to deeper learning.
• Strong relationships with students and a focus on family engagement.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree.

• Possess a Colorado teaching certificate in Elementary Education with appropriate Special Education endorsements.
• Ability to pass state federal and Facility Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) criminal background checks.

Does it sound like a fit

DDES engages in a recruiting process involving initial and secondary phone interviews inperson interviews demonstration lessons group interviews and background and reference checks.

DDES is an equal opportunity employer.

• Innovative and competitive compensation model
• Multiple pathways to salary increases not solely based on advanced degrees.
• Step and lane system that rewards dedication commitment and mastery of knowledge/skills
• Stipended school leadership opportunities ( instructional operational and communitybased).
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan 100% paid by DDES
• PERA retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Short Term Disability 100% paid for by DDES (longterm optional)
• Paid parking and/or commuter cost 100% paid for by DDES
• 10 days paidtimeoff available immediately & 25 days paidvacation/holiday during the school year
• Flexible Savings Account option for medical and childcare coverage
• Vision care & PERA 401k option PERA life option
• Free onsite aftercare if your child attends DDES.