Special Education Teacher - Significant Support Needs

RE-1 Valley Schools; Sterling (CO); On-site; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Optional dental and vision insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Plans

Retirement Savings Plans

Job summary

RE-1 Valley School District seeks a Kindergarten–5th grade Special Education Teacher focused on Significant Support Needs to support students with moderate to severe disabilities. The role emphasizes individualized instruction, functional life skills, communication development, behavior support, and collaboration to ensure access to the general education setting.

The candidate should be collaborative, patient, and committed to helping every child reach their fullest potential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Special Education; required preferred.
• Colorado teaching license or active licensure process with Special Education endorsement.
• Substitute teaching license if the full license is not completed.
• Experience with students with significant cognitive or developmental disabilities preferred.
• Knowledge of IEP development and compliance requirements.
• Experience with functional curriculum and life skills instruction preferred.
• Knowledge of AAC systems preferred.
• CPI or crisis intervention training required.
• Experience collaborating with related service providers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement instruction aligned to IEP goals and functional life skills.
• Monitor progress toward IEP goals and communicate with families.
• Collaborate with related service providers (speech, OT, PT, school psychologist).
• Maintain confidentiality and follow FERPA/IDEA requirements.
• Support MTSS and problem-solving teams.
• Supervise paraprofessionals and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Differentiation

Data collection

Behavior support

Education

Special Education degree

Colorado teaching license

Colorado Substitute License

Job description

• Position Type: Special Education Services/ Elementary SPED Teacher
• Date Posted: 10/26/2026
• Location: Ayres Elementary School
• Date Available: Immediately

RE-1 Valley School District is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Kindergarten - 5th grade Special Education Teacher - Significant Support Needs to support elementary students with moderate to severe disabilities.

This position focuses on individualized instruction, functional skill development, communication, life skills, and inclusive practices to ensure students receive a high-quality education in the least restrictive environment.

We are looking for an educator who is collaborative, patient, and committed to helping every child reach their fullest potential.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal & Director of Student Services

SALARY RANGE & CATEGORY: $44,000 - $65,853 on Teacher Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WORK CALENDAR: 167 days

FTE: 1.0

Full-time with benefits; 4-day school week (Tuesday - Friday)

POSITION SUMMARY: The K - 5 Special Education Teacher - Significant Support Needs provides specialized instruction and case management for students with moderate to severe disabilities. This role emphasizes individualized academic instruction, functional life skills, communication development, behavior support, and collaboration to ensure meaningful access to the general education environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction & Student Programming

• Develop and implement individualized instruction aligned to IEP goals
• Provide direct instruction in functional academics, communication, adaptive behavior, and life skills
• Modify curriculum to meet diverse cognitive and developmental needs
• Support inclusion opportunities within general education settings
• Implement and monitor behavior intervention plans

Case Management & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs in compliance with IDEA and state regulations
• Facilitate IEP meetings and maintain required documentation
• Monitor progress toward IEP goals and provide regular reports to families
• Assist in evaluation and re-evaluation processes
• Supervise and collaborate with paraprofessionals
• Work closely with related service providers (speech, OT, PT, school psychologist)
• Communicate consistently with families
• Participate in MTSS and problem-solving teams

Student Safety & Care

• Follow district protocols for crisis prevention and intervention
• Maintain a structured, safe, and supportive learning environment
• Assist students with personal care needs, including hygiene, toileting, feeding, and mobility, as outlined in individual student plans.
• Maintain student dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.
• Follow district health, safety, and training protocols when providing personal care support.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and IDEA
• Support district and building improvement initiatives
• RE-1 Valley employees shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward information and information technology, students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community. In conscientiously conducting his or her affairs, the employee shall exemplify the highest standards of professional commitment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Special Education preferred and will be given first consideration
• Currently hold a Colorado teaching license or have licensure application in process with appropriate endorsement in Special Education ( Additional coursework required for eligibility toward a Colorado Teacher License is required or must be completed within an agreed-upon timeframe)
• Currently hold a Colorado Substitute Teaching License if Teacher License is not completed
• Experience working with students with significant cognitive or developmental disabilities preferred
• Knowledge of IEP development and compliance requirements
• Experience with functional curriculum and life skills instruction preferred
• Knowledge of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) systems preferred
• CPI or crisis intervention training required
• Experience collaborating with related service providers

K nowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of elementary child development and diverse learning needs
• Understanding of IDEA, IEP processes, and compliance requirements
• Skill in delivering targeted, evidence-based interventions
• Ability to differentiate instruction across grade levels (K - 5)
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and timelines
• Strong data collection and progress monitoring skills

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transfer students as needed (in accordance with district training)
• Ability to assist with mobility and positioning
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Occasional evening events (parent conferences, school activities)

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: see attached link

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with district policy and the Colorado Teacher Evaluation System.

Benefits & Eligibility

• Employer-paid health insurance.
• Optional dental and vision insurance.
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Retirement Savings Plans

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

All staff are to be cognizant of policies regarding confidentiality. All District Board of Education policies may be viewed from the District's website.

RE-1 Valley School District employs highly qualified, dedicated staff who believe our mission is to prepare all students for productive, successful lives beyond school through a balanced curriculum, activities, community experiences, global awareness, high expectations and interaction among students, parents and community. Visit the District website at www.re1valleyschools.org for more information, including updated job postings and salary schedules.

Caliche Elementary and Caliche Jr/Sr High School, located outside Iliff, CO, are a part of RE-1 Valley School District. The District Administration Center is located in Sterling, CO (Logan County) in the Northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76 alongside the Platte River. Having the largest population, approximately 13,900, in Logan County and much of the surrounding area, Sterling offers shopping, restaurants, numerous parks, a recreation center, access to medical care and is located near North Sterling Reservoir. Sterling is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Denver International Airport and 2 hours from Denver and the Front Range (I-25 corridor).

RE-1 Valley School District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. RE-1 Valley School District makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.