2026 - 2027: Special Education Teacher

ORGANIZATION: Highline Academy Charter Schools
LOCATION: Denver, CO
REPORTS TO: Highline Academy Campus Principal
SALARY RANGE: $55,000 to $90,000

Highline Overview 

Highline Academy is a community of diverse youth and adults striving together for academic, civic, and personal excellence. Founded in 2004, Highline is committed to inclusive excellence. In 2013, we launched our second school in Green Valley Ranch. Our students come from fifty countries, speak 26 different languages, represent a full range of socio-economic backgrounds, and previous educational experiences. Our diverse and integrated community has already begun to achieve excellence. Highline students have consistently out-performed district and state averages. Strong faculty and student retention rates are emblematic of the school’s positive culture and strong community. 

Highline has a commitment to a liberal arts education which includes Art, Music, Spanish and P.E. instruction for our students. We have high expectations for all of our learners, with an understanding that some learners need more or different instruction. We have Performance Group teachers at each grade level which enable us to give smaller group instruction for the core content areas of math and language arts. Additionally, we have a robust intervention program with additional supports available as students show they need them. We are a fully inclusive organization for students with special needs, who are integrated into the general education classrooms.  We have a character education program designed by Highline called Reach. This teaches, practices, and celebrates the Reach values of responsibility, empowerment, aspiration, citizenship and honesty. All our students are taught to Reach Out to support and care about their classmates and community, Reach In to learn about themselves and reflect about their learning and Reach Up to their very best academic achievement. We are a students’ first, growth mindset organization and we expect all of our employees to model these values. All Highline employees are expected to read and follow all policies as written in the employee handbook and to review it annually for updates.

About the Position

Reporting directly to Highline’s campus principal, 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 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.

Position Schedule

Teachers are salaried, year-round employees. The formal work calendar includes 177 student contact days, along with professional development and parent conference days, for a total of 195 required workdays. In addition to these designated days, the work teachers do outside of the formal calendar such as planning, reflecting on practice, collaborating with colleagues, and pursuing professional growth is an essential and expected part of the role.

Teachers are required to be on campus and prepared for students by 7:30 a.m. and to remain on campus until 4:00 p.m. on all days school is in session. On Fridays with early student release, teachers are required to stay until 4:30 p.m. to participate in professional development sessions, collaborative planning, or staff meetings.

As part of their work expectations, all teachers are expected to attend after-school meetings and events, which may include staff meetings, professional development sessions, family engagement events, conferences, and other school-sponsored activities, when necessary. These after-school commitments are considered part of the regular responsibilities of the position and attendance is expected of all employees. Additionally, there are up to two weeks of required professional development each summer prior to the start of the school year. These weeks are included in the total number of professional development days accounted for in the 195-day work year.

Competencies and Key Responsibilities

Positive Classroom Culture, Climate, and Management

• Establish a safe, inclusive, and academically focused classroom environment by building strong relationships, setting clear norms, and consistently modeling and enforcing Highline’s academic and behavioral expectations.
• Implement proactive classroom management practices, including effective routines, rituals, and systems that support student engagement and belonging.
• Respond to student academic or behavioral needs with a student first mindset and collaborate with colleagues, intervention teams, and administrators to provide timely support.

High-Impact Instruction and Content Delivery

• Plan and deliver rigorous, engaging, and standards aligned instruction that meets the diverse needs of learners.
• Use high impact instructional strategies, clear learning objectives, and masterful content delivery to promote deep understanding.
• Monitor student learning continuously, adjust instruction based on evidence, and reflect on practice to improve student outcomes.

Knowledge of Students and Data-Driven Practice

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of students’ strengths, needs, backgrounds, and learning styles.
• Use formative and summative assessment data to monitor progress, inform grouping, and guide instructional planning.
• Actively participate in data teams and collaborate with colleagues to interpret data and take shared responsibility for student learning.

Collaboration, Communication, and Family Engagement

• Collaborate with grade level teams to co-plan lessons and units, share instructional responsibilities, and support collective practice.
• Partner with special education teachers, interventionists, and teaching assistants to ensure appropriate supports for all students.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families through consistent communication, support family participation in conferences, and attend required evening or weekend events, including planning and leading at least one family or student learning event annually for homeroom teachers.

Professional Practice, Reflection, and Schoolwide Leadership

• Engage in ongoing reflection, learning, and professional growth by actively participating in all required professional development, including summer training, after school meetings, and early release sessions.
• Contribute to a focused and sustainable adult community through clear, respectful communication and professional feedback practices aligned to Highline’s goals.
• Participate on at least one school, network, board, or parent committee to support school improvement and strengthen school culture.

All Highline teachers are expected to demonstrate the Highline Internal Commitments for Professional Practice, including shared ownership of student learning, valuing diversity, inclusive and respectful communication, empowerment of students and families, and sustained focus on what most supports student success. School leadership may assign other duties as needed. 

Qualifications and Competencies

• Valid Colorado teaching license with a Special Education endorsement
• Demonstrated success teaching in a K–12 classroom setting
• Strong knowledge of standards based instruction, assessment, and data use
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, families, and school leaders
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and Highline’s mission and values
• Strong organizational, communication, and reflective practice skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout classrooms and school buildings for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry instructional materials, supplies, or equipment up to approximately 25 pounds
• Ability to use a computer, projector, and other instructional technology for planning and instruction
• Ability to supervise students indoors and outdoors, including during transitions, recess, and school events
• Ability to attend required after school, evening, and occasional weekend meetings and events

Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time position following our Leadership pay scale with starting pay based on years of relevant experience on a range of $55,000 to $90,000. Special Education Teachers receive a $5,000 annual stipend as long as they maintain their certification. Comprehensive benefits package and participation in PERA.

EOE Statement
Highline is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Highline provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.