Special Education Teacher

Grand Peak Academy (GPA) is kindergarten-eighth grade classical, Core Knowledge charter school committed to providing excellent educational opportunities to students in Northeast Colorado Springs. GPA offers a holistic classical approach to education that implements rigorous academic instruction in conjunction with an active classroom. Our model challenges students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities. This results in higher achievement and greater engagement in school. Our school gives students the academic and character-building skills they need as learners and leaders.

Purpose statement

Grand Peak Academy is seeking teachers to join our community! This teacher will join a team of educators committed to strengthening the foundation of an extraordinary school. In their daily practice, GPA teachers will 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.

Experience:

• Prefer prior experience as a special education teacher in a K-12 public school setting

Education and Licensure:

• Requires 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 CDE

• Requires 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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following statements of duties, responsibilities, frequency, and percentages are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position. Actual duties, responsibility, frequency, and percentages may vary depending on other factors. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned. Essential duties of this position include the following:

• Provide specialized individual and group instruction to students with a range of academic, vision, hearing, physical, communicative, social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges

• Employs 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

• Assist with conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans with the assistance other team members

• Assist with behavior intervention plans, as needed

• Observe students in classroom and unstructured settings as needed to conduct evaluations, monitor student interventions and to provide staff consultation

• Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, assistive technology, behavior modification plans and other similar 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

Additional Responsibilities:

• Complete assessments, evaluation reports, behavior plans and progress reports within expected timelines

• Establish and maintain student control and discipline in the classroom, 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 (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers etc.) regarding the needs of students

• Maintain direct service logs for all students on caseload

• Thoroughly review student records including, but not limited to, 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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with Federal, State and 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 the areas of literacy and math

• Knowledge of research-based academic and behavioral interventions

• Ability to effectively communicate effectively in oral and written form

• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with team members

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is 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. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may be asked to intervene with students with behavioral challenges. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is a school setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

We offer a competitive compensation package, which includes comprehensive health benefits.

Salary Range: $51,144-$66,773

This position will be for the 2025-2026 school year.

Mandatory Background Checks: In alignment with our commitment to student safety, all candidates are required to undergo a comprehensive background check, which includes reviewing criminal records and may require fingerprinting. Please be aware that certain findings in the background check may disqualify a candidate from employment in a school setting. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Convictions for violent crimes, such as assault or domestic violence.


• Convictions for offenses against children, including abuse or endangerment.


• Drug-related offenses, particularly those involving the distribution or trafficking of controlled substances.


• Certain felony convictions, depending on their nature and recency.


• History of certain misdemeanors that may raise concerns about a candidate's suitability for working in an educational environment. Submission of this application signifies your consent to this process and understanding of these criteria.

Verification of Qualifications: You will be asked to provide verifiable proof for roles that demand specific qualifications or certifications (such as teaching credentials). We also conduct reference checks to validate your professional history and qualifications.

Adherence to Colorado Education Laws: Our recruitment process strictly follows the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Colorado Department of Education. We expect all applicants to be familiar with and adhere to these standards.

This employer utilizes E-Verify:

E-Verify Participation Poster - https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf - https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf