Elementary Special Education Teacher (25/26 School Year)

About the KIPP Colorado Special Education Teacher Role: The Special Education Teacher is the instructional leader of their student caseload and is directly responsible for driving student outcomes and creating an exceptional student experience. Teachers drive the educational mission of KIPP Colorado schools by developing daily instruction aligned with our academic program that enables students to make significant academic growth each year. The Special Education Teacher plans instruction, organizes learning activities, internalizes and intellectually prepares for lessons, grades equitably and consistently, and implements with fidelity all accommodations and modifications for students’ IEPs, BIPs, 504 Plans, and MTSS interventions. The Special Education Teacher at KIPP Colorado holds full responsibility for creating and cultivating a culturally responsive classroom community that is warm-demanding, including upholding school-wide expectations, managing tier 1 behaviors, and contacting families proactively and responsively. Special Education Teachers support the campus-wide community and whole school systems through active presence at daily duties, including but not limited to: arrival duty, dismissal duty, lunch duty, threshold presence at transitions, hallway/bathroom duty, and coverage for staff absences. This is a full-time position and will report directly to a member of the school leadership team.

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students.

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families, and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy, and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.

Role Responsibilities and More About How You’ll Spend Your Time in this Role

• Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn.
• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement.
• Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines.
• Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning.
• Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with a manager, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.).
• Commit to being prepared, such as internalizing and preparing for lessons; preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, etc.
• Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules.
• Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite and Microsoft Suite.
• Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities.
• Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement.
• Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals.
• Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings.
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team.
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement.
• Your role may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses or events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Education Responsibilities

• Develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports.
• Maintain IEPs, 504s, Evaluations, and ELL programs; ensure services are delivered with fidelity.
• Liaison with parents via trainings, meetings, and consultations.
• Provide case management for Special Education caseload and provide instruction to students receiving special education supports.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of IEP, BIPs, and FBAs.
• Ensure students receive their minutes, accommodations, and modifications in collaboration with gen ed teacher.
• Support classroom teachers with understanding student support plans and requirements.

Instructional Planning and Delivery

• Develop standards-based unit plans and daily lesson plans.
• Design and deliver rigorous, backwards-planned lessons.
• Design and implement assessments that are aligned with daily objectives.
• Grade student material and provide students with feedback and support.
• Plan rigorous lessons that include a focus on lesson internalization.
• Use the adopted curriculum with fidelity.
• Use data to adjust short- and long-term plans in order to meet students’ learning needs.

School Culture Alignment

• Establish and maintain relationships with students and families based on trust and respect.
• Approach practice with a sense of urgency to maximize instructional time.
• Establish and maintain high expectations for academic work and classroom behavior.
• Establish and reinforce rules and consequences to maintain a positive, focused classroom.
• Meet professional obligations such as meeting deadlines and honoring schedules.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in active presence and strategic supervision and monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning.
• Complete MLE coursework and certification requirements.
• Partner with the Assistant Principal of Special Services and Special Education Teachers to ensure proper implementation of student plans.
• Enforce positive behavior systems and monitor behavior data.
• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours.
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events, and phone calls home.
• Communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior.
• Be accessible by school cell phone for homework help and student emergencies beyond regular school hours.
• Participate in daily duties to support school operations.
• Maintain accurate records, grade books, and data tracking systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role:

• Bachelor's degree (required).
• Special Education License or TEE through CDE (required).
• Spanish bilingual (preferred).
• Ability and willingness to fulfill all state and federal guidelines to meet Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) criteria (required).
• At least 2 years of teaching experience (highly preferred but not required).
• Ability to work during after-school, evening, and weekend meetings and events at the school (required).
• A full understanding and commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (required).
• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork.
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work.
• Strong communication, feedback, and facilitation skills.
• Passionate commitment to KIPP Colorado mission and to high standards of excellence.

Compensation and Benefits: Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:

• Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $65,015 and is commensurate with experience.
• Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado.
• Time Off: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year).
• Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions.
• Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone.
• Retirement Planning: Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program.
• Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities.

KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices...