Special Education Teacher

Location: Onsite at Grand Peak Academy, Northeast Colorado Springs

FLSA Status: Exempt • Reports To: Principal • Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., full time • 180 calendar days per year

About the role

Grand Peak Academy (GPA) is a K–8 classical, Core Knowledge charter school committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. GPA offers a holistic classical approach that combines rigorous academic instruction with an active classroom. Our model challenges students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement.

This teacher will join a team of educators dedicated to strengthening the foundation of an extraordinary school. In daily practice, GPA teachers develop and implement a curriculum that meets all students’ needs, cultivate a culture that encourages young learners and leaders, and leverage data and evidence-based teaching practices.

The Licensed Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives; follows State-mandated due process procedures; and functions as IEP Manager to assigned students.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized individual and group instruction to students with a range of academic, vision, hearing, physical, communicative, social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges.
• Employ various research-based teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
• Assist team members in developing and implementing IEPs as appropriate.
• Conduct functional behavior assessments and develop behavior intervention plans with the assistance of other team members.
• Assist with behavior intervention plans as needed.
• Observe students in classroom and unstructured settings to conduct evaluations, monitor interventions, and provide staff consultation.
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, assistive technology, behavior modification plans, and other instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Participate in the school’s MTSS/RtI processes to design, implement, and monitor student response to research-based interventions for targeted academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Direct the services of educational assistants and coach them to implement accommodations, behavior plans, and instructional services as per IEPs.
• Complete assessments, evaluation reports, behavior plans, and progress reports within expected timelines.
• Establish and maintain student control and discipline in the classroom, on school premises, or during school activities.
• Employ and implement a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation, and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures.
• Collaborate and consult with educational professionals and community service providers (e.g., social services, public health, medical providers) regarding the needs of students.
• Maintain direct service logs for all students on caseload.
• Thoroughly review student records including prior IEPs, evaluations, achievement data, discipline, and attendance to assist with development of IEPs, choose evaluation tools, and assist with manifestation determination reviews.
• Enter all academic assessment, achievement, progress monitoring data, evaluation reports, behavior plans, and other relevant information into the school’s electronic IEP/504 system as appropriate.

Requirements

• Completion of an approved program for the preparation of special education generalists from a regionally accredited college or university, or 24 hours as determined by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
• Passing scores on both Elementary Education (PLACE 01 or Praxis #5018 or Praxis #5001 with passing scores on all subtests) and Special Education Generalist (PLACE 20 or Praxis #5354) content exams.
• Holds a CDE-issued Special Education Generalist or Special Education Specialist license.
• Familiarity with Federal, State, and Charter School Institute (CSI) guidelines for special education and 504 plans.
• Expertise with a wide range of standardized and informal assessment procedures, including progress monitoring tools.
• Expertise with research-based instructional programs and strategies in literacy and math.
• Knowledge of research-based academic and behavioral interventions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a special education teacher in a K–12 public school setting.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, climb stairs, sit, use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• May be asked to intervene with students with behavioral challenges.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision.
• Work environment is a school setting with moderate noise levels.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Paid vacation and sick time.

Pay

Salary range: $52,166–$68,108 for the 2026–2027 school year.