Teacher, Elementary Special Education Moderate Needs

DPS•Denver, CO

About The Position

Special Education 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, and teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities. This vacancy is at a school designated as an Innovation School. The teacher develops and delivers individualized lesson plans across subject areas, provides direct instruction aligned with District standards and benchmarks, and administers and interprets formal and informal individualized educational assessments. The role includes supervising and coordinating students’ conduct and behavior, reinforcing positive behaviors, and adapting teaching methods and materials to students’ varying needs and interests. The teacher may also provide daily living support, such as toileting, diapering, feeding, and personal hygiene, following universal precautions and training. The position includes operating, monitoring, and maintaining adaptive technology and equipment, and lifting and transporting students using appropriate equipment and techniques. Participation in extra-duty activities such as coaching, tutoring, or summer programs may be available under the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement. Applicants must apply online through the Denver Public Schools job board. Applications will be accepted until October 26, 2026; if the position remains open, applications submitted afterward may be considered. Applicants must submit relevant documentation through onboarding within 15 days of receiving an offer letter for salary-setting purposes. Employees must live and work from a permanent home address in Colorado.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field.
Valid Colorado Department of Education teaching license. A CDE application receipt is accepted for 90 days.
Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position.
Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while employed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with young students with special needs and their parents.
Experience working with young children with special needs who represent the diversity of the District school community.
Commitment to racial and educational excellence and to dismantling systems of oppression and inequity, and belief in and support for all students so they feel seen and heard and have access to high-quality education.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing direct instruction aligned with District standards and benchmarks.
Administer and interpret formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
Monitor, supervise, and coordinate assigned students’ conduct and behavior, enforce rules, and reinforce positive behaviors in accordance with school and District policy.
Prepare lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to students’ varying needs and interests.
Establish and communicate clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
Instruct students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
Provide daily living support, including toileting, diapering, feeding, and personal hygiene, following universal precautions and as trained and directed.
Operate, monitor, and maintain adaptive technology and equipment.
Lift and transport students using appropriate equipment and lifting techniques.
May participate in extra-duty activities such as coaching, tutoring, or summer programs.