High School 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, BIP’s, 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 Teacher 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.

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

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

• 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
• Providing an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)
• 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 O3s/coaching, 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 (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft outlook)
• 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
• Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements
• Your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events
• Other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, school support duties, etc.) 

Special Education Responsibilities

• Develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports (Intervention, 504, ELL, etc.)
• 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 (pull-out and push-in dependant upon student needs), 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

• Believe deeply in the mission of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can learn
• 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 (required for most roles) 
• Partner with the Assistant Principal of Special Services and Special Education Teachers to ensure proper implementation of 504s, BIPs, IEPs, safety plans, accommodations, modification, and language support for students
• Enforce positive behavior systems and monitor behavior data 
• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties, chaperone field trips. Participate in parent meetings, conferences, and periodic evening events
• 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 (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dismissal) to support school operations
• Maintain accurate records, grade books, and data tracking systems
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment
• Other duties as assigned

Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility: For more about how you’ll lead at this level, please visit the KIPP Colorado Role Levels Matrix (this is an internal document, only)

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 (more about that HERE) (required) 
• Commitment to and experience with youth of various cultural and economic backgrounds 
• Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to help the school reach a level of academic excellence
• High level of detail orientation and sound excellent organizational skills
• Strong communication, feedback and facilitation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and versatility to work productively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple deadlines and tasks with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• 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. There is no cap on the years of experience that you bring to this role. 
  • Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments
• Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare
• Time Off!!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position
• 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 to refine your craft
• 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, including a PERA 401k option
• Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)
• Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities
• Other Insurance Options: 
  • Wellness reimbursement
  • Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
  • Voluntary long term disability insurance
  • Voluntary short term disability insurance
  • Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQ here 

KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.