TEACHER, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - SPED CENTER PROGRAM

Denver Public Schools; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PERA retirement

Paid time off

Job summary

Denver Public Schools is seeking an Early Childhood SPED Center Program Teacher to support 3–5 year-olds in an inclusive ECE setting. The role emphasizes developing IEPs, individualizing instruction, and collaborating with a team of educators and paraprofessionals.

The position requires a valid Colorado teaching license, experience with young students with exceptional needs, and a commitment to equity and high expectations for all learners. This is a full-time on-site role in Denver.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education required.
• Master’s degree in Deaf Education preferred for Concurrent Enrollment roles.
• Active Colorado teaching license (CDE).
• Experience with early childhood exceptional needs and IEPs.
• Experience co-teaching in core subjects and collaborating in teams.

Responsibilities

• Instruct students using varied techniques to meet diverse needs.
• Develop and monitor IEPs and BIPs for caseload.
• Schedule and facilitate IEP meetings per state and federal law.
• Assess progress and communicate with students, families, and admins.
• Maintain positive classroom environment that respects rights of others.
• Prepare lessons and adapt materials to student needs and interests.

Skills

IEP development

Co-teaching

Differentiated instruction

Family engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Master’s degree in Deaf Education

Job description

Job Description

Applications will be received until October 11, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline.

About This Job

Early Childhood Special Education (SPED) Center Progam Teachers provide services to students with all identified educational disabilities. ECE Model 1 is an inclusive ECE program that supports children ages 3-5 who require a higher level of specialized instruction and related service support. It is staffed by an Early Childhood Special Educator as the lead teacher and two paraprofessionals. Model 1 (ECE) programs range from ages 3-5. This is an ECE MI-A classroom with an AM and a PM class. There are 3 full-time paraprofessionals to support.

Special Education Teachers are responsible for managing a caseload, monitoring student growth, and developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). They are also responsible for modifying or adapting curriculum to best meet students' needs while providing access to Common Core State Standards.

Notice to Applicants: This vacancy is at a school designated as an “Innovation School.” For more information, please contact the school and/or DCTA.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Competitive Teacher Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan. Note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purposes.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off , health and wellness benefits , and PERA Retirement .

What You’ll Do

• Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques to meet students’ varying needs.
• Create, write, monitor, and facilitate IEPs for students on the caseload to ensure that students' individualized academic and social-emotional needs are met.
• Oversee the scheduling of IEP meetings and the IEP process for students assigned to caseload to ensure compliance with state and federal law.
• Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
• Promote student respect for the rights of others in the classroom to create and maintain a positive learning environment.
• Prepare lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to students' physical, medical, and varying learning styles to their identified disabilities to support students.
• Set high expectations for all students to demonstrate a deep belief that every learner thrives.
• Complete Medicaid logging for reimbursement of services when applicable.
• Manage and teach socially appropriate behavior to promote self-regulation and safety.
• May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).

What You’ll Need

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. A Master's Degree is only required for Concurrent Enrollment positions.
• Hold a Master's Degree in Deaf Education, preferred.
• Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license.
• Experience working with young students with exceptional needs and their parents preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing IEPs and BIPs.
• Experience co-teaching in core academic subjects and thrives in a collaborative team approach preferred.
• Experience working or teaching a diverse student population.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First . Integrity . Equity. Collaboration . Accountability . Fun

About Us

With 193 schools, over 89,000 students and over 10,000 staff members, Denver Public Schools is the largest urban school district in Colorado. We’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. Visit the Denver Public Schools website for more information.