Special Education Center-based Teacher

Sylvania; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheridan School District No. 2 seeks a Special Education Center-Based Teacher for Alice Terry Elementary for the 2026-2027 school year. The role focuses on structured environment, skill mastery, and collaboration with grade teams to support students with IEP goals.

Licensure in SPED and Elementary Education is required, with a preference for a master's degree. Expect responsibilities include supervising paraeducators, implementing data-driven strategies, and maintaining high standards of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education or related field.
• Colorado SPED Generalist license and Elementary Ed endorsement.
• Experience with center-based instruction preferred.
• Proficiency with assistive technology and IEP processes.

Responsibilities

• Create a positive learning environment with effective management structures.
• Establish routines and engage students through authentic learning.
• Supervise paraeducators and coordinate activities.
• Collaborate to plan services and deliver IEP goals.
• Use data to monitor progress and adjust instruction.
• Communicate with families and staff about student growth.
• Adhere to ethics, licensure requirements, and district policies.

Skills

Special Education

Classroom Management

Student Assessment

IEP Development

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Colorado Teaching License with SPED Generalist endorsement

Elementary Education endorsement

Job description

JOB TITLE

Special Education Center-Based Teacher

LOCATION

Alice Terry Elementary

WORK YEAR

2026-2027

WORK STATUS

Licensed, Full-Time Exempt

REPORTS TO

School Principal

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will meet the educational needs of students whose LRE places them in a center-based program. Provide a high degree of structure and management in order to provide appropriate support to aid students in accomplishing individual goals. Familiarity with creating a structured environment and daily routine for students, ability to develop accommodations to support individual students and provide instruction to assist students with skill mastery and to access grade level curriculum.

Experience with assistive technology and supporting students with communication and social skill needs. Collaborate with grade level teachers to establish links between disciplines. Support student integration into mainstream as much as possible and according to the student's IEP. Support students with acquisition of communication skills, social skills, self‑regulation and school appropriate behaviors. Develop and promote good community relations among stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create a positive learning environment and effective management structures to purposefully promote and foster effective teaching, learning, and student achievement.
• Create an instructional learning environment that establishes routines and provides for student engagement through authentic learning experiences.
• Supervise and collaborate with paraeducators, including providing schedules and activities to be implemented.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student strengths and needs through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Promote a learning environment that respects the dignity of the child and is perceived by students as fair and consistent.
• Evaluate student ability and formulate student profiles through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Incorporate additional learning opportunities when appropriate.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• Ensure all classroom processes, procedures, and data collection systems are highly organized and effective, maximizing instructional time.
• Motivate, engage, and empower learners to track and monitor their own learning.
• Design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes aligned with 21st Century learning.
• Collaborate with educators across grade levels or subject areas to establish interdisciplinary connections and influence school-wide curriculum and instructional practices.
• Demonstrate mastery of content and make curriculum relevant and accessible to all students.
• Deliver content that is relevant and applicable to real‑world contexts, including life skills instruction when appropriate.
• Integrate and align Colorado Academic Standards, instructional objectives, strategies, activities, materials, resources, and assessments; differentiate instruction based on individual student needs.
• Use data management tools to analyze results, draw inferences, and identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide quality, accurate, constructive, corrective, specific, and timely feedback that encourages students to perform at their highest level.
• Effectively communicate with parents and staff regarding student progress and growth opportunities.
• Utilize technology and other communication platforms (e.g., websites, podcasts) to engage stakeholders.
• Establish rapport with students, staff, and parents to proactively address potential concerns.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to ensure practices align with best practices and meet Colorado licensure requirements.
• Use professional literature, evidence‑based research, and continuing education to inform practice decisions.
• Adhere to the professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision‑making.
• Notify the Principal and Director of Student Services of any failure to implement the requirements of assigned students' IEPs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in response to change.
• Possesses computer and technology skills.
• Effectively works with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Collaborates well with supervisors and co‑workers.
• Capable of understanding and following both complex oral and written instructions.
• Able to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.
• Communicates effectively with the School District community.
• Skilled in analysis, instruction, negotiation, coordination, communication, problem‑solving, and interpersonal interactions.
• Proficient in comparing, computing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.
• Meets attendance standards and works the necessary hours to fulfill essential responsibilities.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Upholds a generally positive attitude.
• Complies with all District policies and procedures.
• Adheres to federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree.

Master's degree (preferred).

English fluency will be determined through the interview process and licensure.

Previous experience with center‑based instruction (preferred).

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

Valid Colorado Driver's License.

Valid Colorado Teaching License with a Special Education Generalist endorsement and Elementary Education endorsement.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Frequent lifting 5 to 10 pounds. Lifting of up to one hundred fifty pounds with support. Frequent sitting, bending, walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, crawling, and reaching. Ability to run, jog, swim and/or expend physical exertion in order to appropriately respond to needs of students.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Mostly clean and comfortable. The work environment is high energy and may often appear chaotic. Possible diapering, and feeding via feeding tube. Physical restraint may be necessary to provide safety for student and others. May encounter noise, odors or bodily fluids.

CLEARANCE

Must clear online background check and FBI Fingerprint check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

SALARY

Placement on Licensed Teacher salary schedule based upon previous teaching experience and highest degree and college credits earned after student teaching was completed. The current Board‑approved Licensed Teacher Salary Schedule and Salary Placement Policy are available for review on our district website at www.ssd2.org.

The annual salary for this position will be determined by number of hours scheduled to work each day and number of days scheduled to work each year. The computed annual salary will be spread out in equal payments over 12 months. Sheridan School District employees are paid once a month on the 1st working day of the month that is not a weekend day or holiday.

BENEFITS

Employees who are scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible to obtain district health benefits, which include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance and supplemental benefits. Positions that qualify for health benefits also qualify for leave, which could include vacation and daily leave to be determined by the position and number of days assigned. Sheridan School District No. 2 is a public employer and participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). All employees are required by statute to contribute 11% of their salary on a pre‑tax basis to PERA. The District also contributes a 21.4% in addition to the employee contribution.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All interested and qualified applicants must complete an online application at www.ssd2.org. Incomplete applications and resumes received in lieu of applications will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. This position will close once the vacancy has been filled.