SPED

Special Education (In Steps Program)

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, this position leads the Special Education In Steps Program, preparing high school students for life beyond school. The role focuses on developing individualized transition plans, supporting career exploration, vocational training, independent living skills, and community engagement. By partnering with families, employers, and outside agencies, the teacher ensures students gain real-world experiences and the skills needed for employment, further education, and independent living.

This position also oversees support staff, curriculum development, and program effectiveness while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and district guidelines. As a key liaison between students, families, and community partners, this role plays a vital part in helping students successfully transition to adulthood.

In-Steps Transition Program

• Develop individualized transition plans based on students' needs, strengths, interests, and measurable postsecondary goals.
• Ensure a seamless transition from district services to adult programs by coordinating supports and resources.
• Implement transition services that extend beyond local community limitations, ensuring alignment with each student's IEP and postsecondary goals.
• Collect, document, and review student progress data on IEP goals and behavioral objectives.
• Ensure transition services adhere to federal, state, and district regulations.

Community-Based Transition Experiences

• Oversee and facilitate community experiences for transitioning young adults outside of the classroom setting.
• Coordinate opportunities provided by families, schools, employers, and support agencies to enhance student engagement.
• Support student participation in school-sponsored field trips, extracurricular activities, community organizations, unpaid and/or paid work experiences.
• Collaborate with outside agencies within the community to provide meaningful transition experiences.

Work-Based Learning Experiences

• Implement IEP strategies to align employment experiences with students' vocational aptitudes.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers to provide unpaid and direct-hire work experiences when applicable.
• Support students in career exploration through courses, job awareness training, and hands-on community vocational experiences.
• Guide students through the job application and interview process while overseeing support staff in on-the-job training.
• Collaborate with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to facilitate successful employment outcomes.
• Establish referral procedures, maintain screening processes, and analyze data to track student progress and program effectiveness.

Life Skills and Community Mobility

• Teach students personal hygiene, professional dress, and workplace expectations to prepare for employment.
• Train students in travel training, with a focus on safely using Grand Valley Transit (GVT) and other community transportation options.
• Guide students in developing independent living skills, such as meal planning, grocery shopping, and lunch preparation.
• Provide financial instruction, which may include money handling, personal safety, decision-making, and appropriate peer interactions.
• Assist students with personal banking and daily money monitoring to foster independence.

Post-School Adult Living Skills

• Teach students essential adult living skills, which may include voter registration, tax preparation, renting a home, and accessing medical and government services.
• Support students in applying for benefits such as Social Security Income (SSI) and insurances.
• Promote the use of technology to enhance independence, career readiness, and access to educational resources.

Other Duties

• Additional tasks, duties, and responsibilities may be assigned as needed/requested.

Bachelor's degree in education plus additional special education coursework required for certification or licensure Minimum of two years' experience in Classroom Teacher role Valid Colorado Teacher's license with CDE Special Education endorsement required Quality Behavior Solutions certification (QBS) must be obtained within 60 days of hire Criminal background check required for hire Valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado identification required

190 days/year

Apply Online

Position is posted to internal transfers for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days or open until filled.

Teacher Base Pay Salary Schedule Range: $50,015 - $104,432 based on one (1) FTE at one hundred eighty eight (188) days. Hiring Range for External Candidates: $50,015 - $85,857
* Teachers are initially placed according to experience. Teachers new to the District may be granted up to 15 years of experience, provided the experience occurred within the last 20 years in accordance with the MVEA Agreement.