2026/2027 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Animas Valley Elementary School, .5 FTE

Durango School District 9-R•Durango, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Durango School District is seeking a part-time Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for Animas Valley Elementary School. This position begins August 17, 2026, and requires the candidate to meet Colorado Department of Education's ESSA requirements for an In-Field Teacher in Early Childhood Special Education prior to starting. The role involves providing intervention services to identified students aged three to five who qualify for special education. Services will be delivered in various settings, including community preschools, Head Start classrooms, and district preschool programs. The teacher will collaborate with general education staff to offer direct and indirect support, adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs, and foster student achievement. Maintaining positive relationships with students, parents, families, staff, and community members is essential.

Requirements

Meet Colorado Department of Education's ESSA requirements for In-Field Teacher in Early Childhood Special Education prior to starting.
Bachelor’s degree of related subject from an accredited university.
Colorado Teaching License with endorsements for the levels and subject areas teaching.
Meet Colorado Department of Education's and ESSA requirements for In-Field Teacher.
Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
Effective understanding of the IEP writing process including standards alignment of the IEP.
Ability to develop and implement appropriate progress monitoring tools to assess student progress toward goals.
Strong decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
Ability to work with students with diverse needs at various levels.
Ability to develop and implement accommodations and modifications that facilitate student mastery of the Colorado Academic Standards.
Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
Ability to promote and follow Board and District policies, Superintendent policies and building/department procedures.
Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively in a team setting.
Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
Microcomputers and general office equipment.
IEP software.
Microsoft Office applications.
Student Information Systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing special education services to early childhood students preferred.
May be required to complete CPI training depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

Provide intervention services to identified students ages three (3) to five (5) who qualify for special education.
Deliver services at various locations including community preschools, head start classrooms, and district preschool programs.
Collaborate with general education staff to provide direct and indirect support and adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs.
Effectively use case management strategies to support student outcomes based on identified intervention services.
Collaborate with general education teachers to modify and tailor the curriculum as necessary to address individual student differences, learning styles, functional educational levels, and student abilities.
Utilize formative and standardized assessments to assess the learning, achievement, and performance of each child.
Implement both formal and informal diagnostic special education assessments for early childhood education, including play-based and curriculum-based assessments.
Work with the IEP Team to develop and implement students' Individualized Education Plans (IEP's).
Train and support general education teachers and paraprofessionals who work directly with children on your caseload to implement the individualized plan.
Monitor the goals and outcomes of the IEP and maintain communication with families and the rest of the IEP Team regarding IEP progress.
Complete necessary paperwork and assure compliance with IDEA.
Facilitate strong home-to-school connections.
Work with parents/guardians to assist them in understanding how to support child development needs in the home.
Maintain an orderly, safe, positive learning environment to support child development and community connections.
Be familiar with and abide by all applicable Federal and Colorado laws and regulations; Board of Education policies and District Regulations; and school procedures.
Assure the safety and welfare of students, including necessary actions to ensure students are supervised at all times.
Demonstrate faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.
Submit required reports promptly.
Demonstrate care of and protection of School District property.
Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
Use the District’s internet and E-mail system as specified in Policy.
Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent or their designees.