POSITION: Network Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: Home Office with
SALARY: $66,300-$76,400 based on years of aligned experience up to 6 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!
STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position
START: DSST new staff training begins in July. You can view our current DSST School Year Calendar here.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Our Network SpEd Teachers are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring that students with disabilities are welcomed, known, and challenged to achieve their most ambitious post-secondary path. DSST’s Network Special Education Teacher will play a critical role in ensuring all students with disabilities in the network receive high quality and legally defensible services as outlined in their Individual Education Programs (IEPs). At the direction of the Home Office Special Education Team, this Teacher will support DSST schools during times when they are in need of additional capacity and/or expertise on their school-based Special Education Team. 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.
Like all Special Education Teachers at DSST, the Network Special Education Teacher will serve students with disabilities from all eligibility categories. This position may include teaching literacy, math, language skills, behavioral skills, daily living skills, and/or adaptive skills at both the Middle School and High School levels. Our teachers provide instruction at the large group, small group and individual level, and collaborate with general education staff for successful inclusion of students. Special Education Teachers also conduct evaluations, create and implement IEPs, monitor progress towards students’ goals, and communicate with families and related service providers.
Special Education Case Management & Specialized Instruction:
Spend, on average, 4 to 5 days per week in the school setting
Coached and managed by a member of the HO SpEd team including bi-weekly/monthly coaching and development meetings.
At the direction of the Home Office Special Education Team, be assigned to schools throughout the DSST network in order to ensure all Special Education services are successfully implemented when schools are in need of additional capacity and/or expertise on their Special Education Team.
Assignment to a school could be for short (a week) or long (several months, or remainder of year) periods of time and could require supporting multiple schools throughout the course of a week.
Support of schools may include, but is not limited to the following:
Providing specialized instruction and service minutes to students in alignment with their IEPs
Creating and implementing IEPs and evaluations
Progress monitoring of IEP goals
Serving as a member of the school’s Special Education Team (attending team meetings, abiding by team expectations, etc.)
Supporting Special Education Coordinators in leading the team to design and implement compliant and timely IEPs and evaluations
Other supports as deemed necessary
Communication and Collaboration
While at a school setting, report to and communicate with the school-based Special Education Admin for direction on priorities, time management, progress of students and case management, etc.
Build relationships with members of the school leadership and Special Education Team at schools
Communicate with General Education Teachers, other Special Education Teachers and school leaders about schedules and priorities, student needs and progress, etc.
Communicate regularly with the Home Office SpEd Team
As needed, communicate with families about student needs and progress
Collaborate with school based Special Education Admin and HO SpEd Team to create and implement time bound school support project plans prior to an in school assignment.
See many of our possible duties here.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
3+ Years serving as a Special Education Teacher at the middle school or high school level
Bachelor's Degree
Has both a teaching license and a valid 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.
An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in high school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives
Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
Strong candidates for the Network Special Education Support Teacher role should have a demonstrated ability to respond flexibly to a changing work environment, to build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders, and communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
2+ Years experience in a teacher leader role (i.e. SpEd Coordinator, House/Department Lead)
WHO WE ARE
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring all 7,500+ students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education.
INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS
For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process here.
WHY JOIN DSST?
At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out why our teachers love working at DSST as well as our benefits website to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.
Health and Supplemental Insurance: DSST staff have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including fertility benefits and a mental health counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST staff.
Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy 11+ weeks off per year + paid PTO (from Day 1!)
Professional Development: As a learning organization, DSST values both internal and external development opportunities for staff. See some examples below:
DSST Back to School Development Series including New Staff Institute, New Educator Institute, New Leader Institute, Leader You, and Teaching & Learning Institute.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching from a School Administrator at your campus.
Clear internal career pathway opportunities such as our Apprentice Teachers, Emerging Leaders, and School Director in Training Programs. Read more here.
And more!
DSST COMMUNITY REFERRAL PROGRAM
Not a best fit role for you but know someone else who would be a great fit? Refer them here and earn $500 if they are hired!
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate 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, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.