Special Education Teacher - Learning Specialist

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens.  Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer.  All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Three Creeks K-8 is an innovative school nestled up to the foothills in west Arvada. It's surrounded by multiple newly developing communities that serves grades K-8. Three Creeks is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) focused school preparing students in grades to be successful both in and outside of school in a 21st century world. We are a 1:1 school, where iPads are integrated into daily instruction and learning tasks. Students are exposed to flexible seating, outdoor classrooms, robotics, Lego creations and a variety of extracurricular opportunities to enhance their learning experience and promote teaching the whole child.

Three Creeks prides itself in utilizing Restorative Practices both proactively as well as a form of conflict resolution. Three Creeks prides itself on our school's Mission, "Reaching Every Child, Every Day". Brain Wise is our Character Education Curriculum.

Students at Three Creeks are exposed to Vocal and Instrumental Music classes, Theatre Arts, a variety Art classes and multiple Physical Education options. Our Special Education and English Language Learners are exposed to both push-in as well as pull-out programs which are taught by experienced, caring and dedicated individuals. We strive to maintain small class sizes, rigorous curriculum and high expectations for all students. Our entire community works as a team to instill our "REACH" principles in each and every student every day: respect, effort, attitude, choices and honesty.

ABOUT YOU

Jeffco is a learning organization in which all staff must grow in their capacity to support and educate all students including those with special needs. Special Education professionals are committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities who have the right, and deserve the opportunity, to meet the challenging expectations that have been established for their non-disabled peers. Highly efficacious educators understand that their knowledge and skills can assist students in overcoming educational barriers. Maintaining a strong academic focus with quality instruction including frequent progress monitoring produces more successful outcomes for all students. A robust continuum of services driven by student needs is essential.

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED
 

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

SUMMARY Develop, implement, and support individualized practices for achieving learning outcomes for students with communication, cognitive, physical, and/or social/behavioral needs, based on the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). This teacher will utilize evidence-based best practice and rely on frequent progress monitoring for programming adjustments. The Learning Specialist teacher will take a leadership role in collaboratively problem solving interventions for students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES may include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Design and implement specialized instruction in one-on-one, small group and large classroom settings.

Work collaboratively to plan and modify curriculum, team teach with general educators and to communicate the abilities and needs of special education students.

Develop, implement and review for appropriateness the behavioral plans for designated students.

Work in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team to conduct IEP and referral meetings, conferences, and to develop a multidisciplinary approach to the educational enhancement of the student.

Maintain ongoing communication with regular educators, school staff, students and parents.

Create a safe supportive and understanding environment for disabled students.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Hold valid Colorado teaching license with Special Education Generalist endorsement. If teacher is the teacher of record for a specific content area, they must meet content-area qualification, which could include the appropriate content endorsement, degree in the content area, Colorado State Board of Education-approved content exam, or 36 credit hours as determined by the district. Training emphasis in Learning Disabled/Perceptual Communicative preferred.

EXPERIENCE Experience/supervised internship in working with educationally disabled children. Training in understanding/interpreting educational assessments and prescriptive teaching. Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work with a multidisciplinary team in developing appropriate materials, facilitating inclusion, creating educational plans, and designing and implementing behavioral plans. Training and experience in working with students with a variety of, disabling conditions. Complies with the Special Education Department and district policies and procedures (e.g., Medicaid billing, accident reporting).

The physical demands described here 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Normal routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can not always be anticipated. Ability to meet physical needs of students.