Special Education Teacher Mild/Mod 2026-2027 (Northeast Campus)

About the Role

Our teachers are the heart of our organization—the ones who make the mission come alive for our students. We expect our teachers to be caring about the whole child, great lesson planners, strong and nurturing at classroom management, and excellent collaborators with teammates and families. We look for people with good communication skills, dedication to do everything it takes to make a difference for each child, and a growth mindset. Our special education teachers are also expected to be advocates and devotees to inclusion.

This position is an inclusion-based mild/moderate caseload specific to a grade-level team at our Northeast Campus, reporting directly to Highline’s campus principal.

Responsibilities

• Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP.
• Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
• Employs various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
• Develops and implements annual Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for students, including present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and required services.
• Schedules team meetings and works cooperatively with child study team members and others in developing instructional goals and strategies.
• Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP.
• Creates a positive learning experience with emphasis on individualized instruction using appropriate sources, including iPads.
• Serves as the primary contact for parents.
• Conducts special education evaluations and reevaluations.
• Provides direction, supervision, and evaluation of educational assistants as directed.
• Complies with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations.
• Completes all district and state reporting requirements.
• Meets with general education teachers at least once a week to plan co-teaching.
• Progress monitors students every two weeks (or more frequently if needed) on progress toward goals.
• Uses research-based, targeted intervention curriculums to address student goals.
• Tests students who have moved through the MTSS process and have been identified for testing, or any student whose parent directly requests testing.
• Stays up to date on all Colorado Department of Education (CDE) procedures for testing students and writing IEPs.
• Completes all IEPs in ENRICH or alternate DPS database.
• Communicates with all parties (parents, teachers, and others) regarding IEPs, including setting up meetings, reviewing goals and accommodations, progress monitoring, and addressing concerns.
• Meets with district support partners, IP cohort team as needed, and participates in school-based coaching meetings.
• Sets the tone with students each day and establishes community expectations.
• Builds positive relationships with students while holding them to high expectations.
• Manages groups with positive proactive systems and strong rituals and routines.
• Builds relationships with families through phone calls and both formal and informal meetings.
• Attends parent-teacher conferences for students on their caseload, either with the homeroom teacher or independently.
• Participates in at least three evening or weekend events such as music performances, the Cultural Fair, and the Fall Festival.
• Helps plan and lead at least one event for families during the year, such as a parent education meeting or a student demonstration of learning.

Core Teaching Competencies

• Create a Positive Classroom Culture and Climate for students and teaching assistants.
• Practice Effective Classroom Management.
• Plan and implement Masterful Content Delivery.
• Practice High-Impact Instructional Moves.
• Demonstrate Essential Knowledge of Students and Use of Data.
• Demonstrate Effective Collaboration and Engagement with students and colleagues.
• Demonstrate thoughtful reflection, learning, and development.

Professional Commitments

• Take responsibility for student learning by valuing diversity, needs, and learning styles through shared ownership.
• Commit to being clear and purposeful in objectives and instruction while reflecting and revising learning strategies by frequently monitoring student assessment data.
• Accept and embrace diversity within the community by valuing each other as learners and people, and commit to providing a safe place for all to succeed.
• Be direct, intentional, timely, and graceful in giving and receiving communication without judgment and for positive, proactive purposes.
• Create an environment that empowers faculty, students, and parents/guardians to be active participants in student success.
• Create a focused and sustainable adult community by focusing on what is most essential to student success and Highline’s goals.
• Consistently model and enforce Highline’s academic and behavioral expectations.

Qualifications

• Valid teaching credential for Special Education or enrolled in Aspire* progressing toward a license.
• Teaching experience appropriate to the assignment.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the Highline mission.
• Highly qualified per No Child Left Behind (NCLB) specifications.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Highline would be excited to fund your path to a Special Education License through the Aspire Program. While in the program, we are able to use the hard-to-fill bonus to cover the cost. In subsequent years, that bonus goes directly to our educators.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk quickly, bend, kneel, crouch, sit, stand, grab, or hold with one or both hands.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs without difficulty.
• Maintain appropriate demeanor and professional classroom behavior when working with children and adults.
• Ability to sit for extended periods during group training.

Pay

Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000. Highline Academy uses a Salary Scale to increase pay equity and transparency. Licensed Special Educators can expect an additional $5,000 on top of the salary scale placement.

Schedule

Teachers are paid year-round on a salary. The work year consists of 189 days, including 176 student contact days and professional development, parent conference days. Teachers are expected to be on campus ready for students by 7:45 AM and stay until 4:00 PM each school day, and until 4:30 PM on Fridays for early release days followed by professional development or planning meetings. There are two weeks of professional development every summer before school begins.

Benefits

• Colorado PERA/PERA 401K
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short Term Disability
• Health Gap Insurance
• Dental
• Aflac
• Vision