Teacher, Elementary Special Education Moderate - K-5Th Grade

TEACHER, ELEMENTARY SPECIAL EDUCATION MODERATE NEEDS – K‑5TH GRADE

Apply for the TEACHER, ELEMENTARY SPECIAL EDUCATION MODERATE NEEDS – K‑5TH GRADE role at Denver Public Schools
.

Applications will be received until January 21, 2026
. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board k12.org.

About This Job

Special Education (SPED) teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities, and also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.

What DPS Offers You

• A culture that values equity, accountability, integrity, collaboration, and fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Competitive teacher compensation and incentive plan (see DPS compensation schedule for details).
• Other total reward offerings such as time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA retirement.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing direct instruction while maintaining a focus on district standards and benchmarks.
• Administer and interpret both formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
• Monitor, supervise, coordinate, and enforce conduct and behavior of assigned students, reinforcing positive student behaviors in accordance with school and district policy.
• Prepare lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests, establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects, and instruct students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
• Provide daily living care (e.g., toileting, diapering, feeding, personal hygiene) following universal precautions, operate, monitor, and perform maintenance of adaptive technology and equipment, and lift and transport students using appropriate equipment and lifting technique.
• Participate in extra‑duty activities as outlined in the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement (e.g., coaching, tutoring, summer programs).

What You’ll Need

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in education or related field. A master's degree is required only for concurrent enrollment positions.
• Hold a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. CDE application receipt for 90 days is accepted.
• For ELA‑S (Spanish‑English bilingual) positions, candidates must be bilingual in Spanish and English and must take the Spanish language proficiency exam or, alternatively, the Praxis II – Spanish (World Language 5195) exam with a score of 163 or higher.
• Experience working with young special needs students and their parents is preferred.
• Experience working with diverse students representing the district community is preferred.
• Commitment to racial and educational equity, and to dismantling systems of oppression.
• Must live in Colorado.
• Physical ability to meet the demands of the position, with or without accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations.

About Denver Public Schools

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. We comprise nearly 200 schools and enroll more than 90,000 students.

Entry level

Full-time

Education and Training

Primary and Secondary Education