TEACHER, ELEMENTARY - SPECIAL EDUCATION, MODERATE NEEDS, K-5TH GRADE

Denver Public Schools; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

PERA Retirement

New Employee Resources

Job summary

Denver Public Schools seeks a Special Education Teacher to develop and implement individualized lesson plans for students with diverse needs in a supportive, equity-focused environment.

You will administer assessments, adapt instruction, and monitor student behavior while collaborating with families and other staff to ensure meaningful progress and inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.
• Valid Colorado Department of Education teaching license.
• Experience with young special needs students preferred.
• Commitment to equity and anti-oppression in education.

Responsibilities

• Develops individualized lesson plans aligned with standards.
• Administers and interprets formal and informal assessments.
• Monitors and reinforces positive student behaviors per policy.
• Prepares materials and adapts instruction to meet diverse needs.
• Assists with daily living activities and uses adaptive technology when needed.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Colorado Department of Education teaching license

Experience with special education students

Job description

Job Description

** Applications will be received until

Job Description

** Applications will be received until September 21, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline.

About This Job

Special Education (SPED) Teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Salary: Click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Hourly Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off , health and wellness benefits - English Version or Health and Wellness Benefits - Spanish Version , and PERA Retirement . For additional information visit our New Employee Resources page.
• This position is represented by an employee association (bargaining unit). Please see the Employee Associations Page for the current master agreement and important documents associated with your bargaining unit.

What You'll Do

• Develops and executes individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing for direct instruction while maintaining a focus on District standards and benchmarks.
• Administers and interprets both formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
• Monitors, supervises, coordinates, and enforces rule of conduct and behavior of assigned students; reinforces positive student behaviors in accordance with school and District policy.
• Prepares lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates to students clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
• Provides daily living (e.g. toileting, diapering, feeding, personal hygiene) following universal precautions and as trained and directed; operates, monitors, and performs maintenance of adaptive technology and equipment; and lifts and transports students using appropriate equipment and lifting technique.
• 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.
• Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. Click here for additional information regarding specific requirements and qualifications for the various subject areas (DPS does accept a CDE Application Receipt for 90 days.)
• Experience working with young special needs students and their parents preferred.
• Experience working with young special needs children who represent the diversity of the District school community is preferred.
• 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

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.