Affective Needs Center Program Special Education Teacher (2026-2027 School Year)[Immediate Start]

DSST Public Schools; Evergreen (CO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Benefits eligibility

Job summary

DSST Public Schools in Denver, CO, seeks an Affective Needs Center Program Special Education Teacher for Cole High School. You will lead instruction and case management in a center-based program for students with serious emotional disabilities, using trauma-informed practices to build relationships and support student growth.

The role requires Colorado teaching license and special education endorsement; collaboration with general education staff and families; supervision of paraprofessionals;

Qualifications

• Minimum: Has both a teaching license and a special education endorsement.
• Ideal: Experience with students of diverse backgrounds and multilingual learners.
• Experience implementing positive behavior supports to facilitate learning.

Responsibilities

• Be an IEP Case Manager: manage a portfolio of students, write data-driven IEPs, set goals, monitor progress, and collaborate with families.
• Provide accommodations/modifications with general education staff and maintain MTSS involvement.
• Supervise and develop paraprofessionals and deliver rigorous, culturally responsive instruction.
• Track student growth with multiple assessments and promote a positive school culture.

Skills

IEP Case Management

Trauma-informed practices

Collaboration with families

Team supervision of paraprofessionals

Culturally responsive instruction

Education

Teaching license

Colorado Special Education Endorsement

Job description

POSITION

Affective Needs Center Program Special Education Teacher GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for high school positions LOCATION: Cole High School.

SALARY

$64,000-$82,000 based on years of aligned experience up to 10 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!

STATUS

Full time school year round, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position START: Immediate. First day of new staff training at the end of July.

THE ROLE

Our Center Program Special Education Teachers are essential to creating inclusive, rigorous, and supportive learning environments for students with disabilities across DSST. Each teacher leads instruction and case management within one of DSST’s nine center-based programs, serving students with a range of disabilities and learning needs. Teachers in these programs design and deliver targeted academic, behavioral, and life-skills instruction, collaborate closely with general education staff and families, and lead a team of paraprofessionals to ensure every student is known, supported, and celebrated. Learn more about a Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher and why you should choose to grow your career at DSST here.

DSST CENTER PROGRAMS

We are seeking a dedicated and mission-driven Affective Needs (AN) Center-Based Special Education Teacher to join our team at DSST: Cole High School. This position supports students with Serious Emotional Disabilities (SED) in a center-based program, and requires a strong foundation in trauma-informed practices to build trusting relationships, deliver effective instruction, and support student regulation and growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be an IEP Case Manager: Serve as case manager to a portfolio of students; completing tasks such as writing data driven IEPs, developing goals, monitoring progress, delivering targeted academic & behavioral interventions, and celebrating success with each student’s team of teachers and family along the way.
• Ensure Students Receive Accommodations/Modifications: Partner with general education teachers to appropriately implement accommodations and modifications with intentionality and consistency.
• Advocate for and champion all diverse learners in the school by participating on the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Team.
• Manage a Team: Supervise and develop a team of Paraprofessionals
• Deliver Rigorous & Engaging Content: Utilize DSST’s curriculum resources to plan, intellectually prepare, and teach rigorous, culturally responsive, and grade level aligned content to 3-5 classes daily depending on campus and content area.
• Track and Support Student Growth: Monitor and assess the performance of all students through a variety of assessment tools & resources to guide instruction and support individual student growth.
• Promote Positive Culture: Employ DSST culture systems to promote a unified and positive classroom and school culture as well as build and maintain trusting relationships with students and families.
• Pursue Professional Development: Engage in professional growth opportunities, including regular coaching, feedback, and development, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Contribute to School Community: Undertake additional duties as needed, such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc.
• Explore more potential duties here.

THE PERSON

We value staff with diverse backgrounds, talents, and ideas. Our most successful employees share the following characteristics: An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school and reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals. A proactive approach to learning and growth, welcoming feedback to enhance your teaching practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: Has both a teaching license and a special education endorsement. You can read more about obtaining a Colorado Special Education Endorsement here. We recommend reaching out to CDE directly for information on transferring your out of state credentials. Ideal: Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students. Experience in teaching and implementing positive behavior supports to facilitate learning in the areas of academic, communication, executive functioning, behavioral, and social-emotional regulation.

Please note: The DSST Talent Team replies to every application.

We’re committed to providing an exceptional candidate experience.

Application Timeline

This is an evergreen position, meaning DSST Public Schools recruits for this role on an ongoing basis to support current and anticipated hiring needs across our network. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates may be contacted for interviews as opportunities become available. For positions with a defined hiring timeline, the anticipated application deadline will be listed at the top of the job posting.

Who We Are

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together. We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

Our Impact

100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend 95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people

Why Work at DSST?

At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive. Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts. Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader. Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish. Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave. Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state. Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.

Employment Classification & PERA Participation

DSST Public Schools participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Unless otherwise stated in the position title or posting, all roles are full-time and are designated as PERA-covered positions. Candidates should review their individual circumstances and ensure they are able to accept employment in a PERA-covered role prior to applying.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not exclude participation in, deny benefits to, or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, or genetic information. We also prohibit retaliation for filing a complaint, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in any investigation or proceeding. DSST is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing these duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and may spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, or kneeling. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds and have sufficient hand and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.

About Locations

DSST Public Schools is a network of middle and high schools located in Denver, Colorado. We foster school communities where our students and staff become the best versions of themselves. At the core of our approach are strong and meaningful relationships, fostered in small schools, that ensure every student and staff member is known and valued for their unique contributions. Through this whole child approach, we operate many of the top middle and high schools in the city of Denver. But the true success has been that all our graduating seniors have been accepted into college since the first graduating class in 2004.