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Denver, Colorado, United States
Onsite
POSITION: Center Program Special Education Teacher
GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions
LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations. You can view the current openings at this link. We encourage you to apply even if your preferred position is not listed as we will be posting new roles throughout the year.
SALARY: $64,000-$82,000 based on years of aligned experience up to 10 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!
STATUS: Full time school year round, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position
START: First day of new staff training at the end of July. You can view the current school year calendar here.
THE ROLE
Our Center Program Special Education Teachers are essential to creating inclusive, rigorous, and supportive learning environments for students with disabilities across DSST. Each teacher leads instruction and case management within one of DSST’s nine center-based programs, serving students with a range of disabilities and learning needs.
Teachers in these programs design and deliver targeted academic, behavioral, and life-skills instruction, collaborate closely with general education staff and families, and lead a team of paraprofessionals to ensure every student is known, supported, and celebrated.
Learn more about a Day in the Life of a Special Education Teacher and why you should choose to grow your career at DSST here.
DSST CENTER PROGRAMS
Cross-Categorical Center Program: Serves students with a variety of disabilities and focuses on grade-level academic instruction, executive functioning, and personal development. Located at DSST: Cedar Middle & High School
Affective Needs Center Program: Supports students whose primary disability is social, emotional, or behavioral. Programming includes direct instruction in SEL skills and integration into general education classes as appropriate. Located at DSST: Cole High School
Multi-Intensive Center Program: Serves students with intellectual disabilities through functional academics, adaptive and vocational skill development, and independence-building. Located at DSST: Green Valley Ranch Middle & High School
Multi-Intensive Autism Center Program: Supports students with Autism Spectrum Disorder using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies and techniques such as reinforcement, prompt fading, and incidental teaching. Located at DSST: Montview Middle & High School
Multi-Intensive Severe Center Program: Serves students with at least two disabilities, one of which must be an intellectual disability. Focuses on functional communication, self-care, and environmental access through sensory-rich experiences. Located at DSST: Conservatory Green Middle & High School
18–21 Transition Program: Serves students ages 18–21 with diverse disabilities, focusing on pre-employment and independent living skills through job site coaching and community-based instruction. Located at DSST: Montview High School
Key Responsibilities:
Be an IEP Case Manager: Serve as case manager to a portfolio of students; completing tasks such as writing data driven IEPs, developing goals, monitoring progress, delivering targeted academic & behavioral interventions, and celebrating success with each student’s team of teachers and family along the way.
Ensure Students Receive Accommodations/Modifications: Partner with general education teachers to appropriately implement accommodations and modifications with intentionality and consistency. Advocate for and champion all diverse learners in the school by participating on the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Team.
Manage a Team: Supervise and develop a team of Paraprofessionals
Deliver Rigorous & Engaging Content: Utilize DSST’s curriculum resources to plan, intellectually prepare, and teach rigorous, culturally responsive, and grade level aligned content to 3-5 classes daily depending on campus and content area.
Track and Support Student Growth: Monitor and assess the performance of all students through a variety of assessment tools & resources to guide instruction and support individual student growth.
Promote Positive Culture: Employ DSST culture systems to promote a unified and positive classroom and school culture as well as build and maintain trusting relationships with students and families.
Pursue Professional Development: Engage in professional growth opportunities, including regular coaching, feedback, and development, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Contribute to School Community: Undertake additional duties as needed, such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc. Explore more potential duties here.
THE PERSON
We value staff with diverse backgrounds, talents, and ideas. Our most successful employees share the following characteristics:
An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school and reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals.
A proactive approach to learning and growth, welcoming feedback to enhance your teaching practice.
Qualifications:
If you are passionate about working with students with disabilities and you don’t currently have a teaching credential or have a teaching credential and would like to obtain your SpEd endorsement, we’d love to connect with you! Please email humancapital@scienceandtech.org.
Minimum: Has both a teaching license and a special education endorsement. You can read more about obtaining a Colorado Special Education Endorsement here. We recommend reaching out to CDE directly for information on transferring your out of state credentials.
Ideal: Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students. Experience in teaching and implementing positive behavior supports to facilitate learning in the areas of academic, communication, executive functioning, behavioral, and social-emotional regulation.
Please note: The DSST Talent Team replies to every application. If you haven’t heard from us by the indicated timeline, please check your spam folder first. If you don’t see an email there, reach out to us at humancapital@scienceandtech.org. We’re committed to providing an exceptional candidate experience.
Application Timeline
This is an evergreen position, meaning DSST Public Schools recruits for this role on an ongoing basis to support current and anticipated hiring needs across our network. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates may be contacted for interviews as opportunities become available.
For positions with a defined hiring timeline, the anticipated application deadline will be listed at the top of the job posting.
Who We Are
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.
We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.
Why Work at DSST?
At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.
Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.
Employment Classification & PERA Participation
DSST Public Schools participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Unless otherwise stated in the position title or posting, all roles are full-time and are designated as PERA-covered positions. Candidates should review their individual circumstances and ensure they are able to accept employment in a PERA-covered role prior to applying.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not exclude participation in, deny benefits to, or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, or genetic information. We also prohibit retaliation for filing a complaint, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in any investigation or proceeding.
DSST is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing these duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and may spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, or kneeling. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds and have sufficient hand and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.