2025-2026 Lead Special Education Teacher
Minga Education Group
Orton Academy is searching for a dedicated, student-centered Lead Special Education Teacher to champion inclusive education and ensure students with disabilities receive the individualized support they need to thrive. Orton Academy is a groundbreaking 2-8 charter school authorized by D11 in Colorado Springs, CO. We are a regional leader in dyslexia education.
At Orton Academy, we believe in unlocking every student's potential by providing structured, research-based interventions tailored to the needs of students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. We are looking for a leader who is not only passionate about special education but also committed to coaching and mentoring staff, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and ensuring compliance with special education laws and best practices.
If you're an experienced special education professional who thrives on building relationships, leading multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for students with diverse learning needs, we want you at Orton Academy.
As the Lead Special Education Teacher, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the special education program, mentoring teachers, leading IEP processes, and fostering an inclusive school culture that ensures all students receive equitable access to learning.
Core Responsibilities
I. Teaching & Providing Interventions (Academic & Behavioral):
Deliver direct instruction in small-group and one-on-one settings for students requiring additional support in reading, writing, and math.
Implement targeted academic interventions for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning challenges.
Utilize multisensory, structured literacy, and explicit math instruction methods to support diverse learning needs.
Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) and classroom behavior support in collaboration with teachers and support staff.
Provide social-emotional and executive functioning interventions to help students manage emotions, improve focus, and build self-regulation skills.
Use data-driven decision-making to monitor student progress, adjust interventions, and ensure measurable growth.
II. Mastery & Modeling of Special Education Practices:
Demonstrate expertise in instructional strategies for students with disabilities, particularly those with dyslexia, ADHD, and social-emotional needs.
Model evidence-based interventions and differentiated instruction for special and general education teachers.
Assist in the development of individualized learning strategies that align with student strengths and needs.
III. Mentorship & Professional Development:
Provide one-on-one mentorship to special education teachers and collaborate with general education staff to support student success.
Facilitate teacher learning communities focused on special education best practices and legal compliance in Colorado.
Offer training on inclusive teaching methods and behavioral strategies tailored to the small school setting.
IV. Facilitating Multidisciplinary Teams & Collaboration:
Lead and facilitate multidisciplinary team meetings, including special educators, general educators, therapists (speech, occupational, physical), school psychologists, and counselors.
Ensure collaborative problem-solving to address students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Guide the team in developing integrated intervention plans, ensuring consistency and alignment across all areas of student support.
Serve as a liaison between special education staff, general educators, therapists, administrators, and families to ensure coordinated services and student success.
V. Social-Emotional & Behavioral Support in the General Education Setting:
Support the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Restorative Practices, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies to help students thrive in the general education environment.
Assist teachers in developing Tier 1 classroom management strategies and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) that support students with emotional and behavioral needs.
Promote self-regulation, executive functioning, and coping strategies for students struggling with behavioral and emotional challenges.
Collaborate with external partners to integrate mental health support into classroom instruction.
VI. Compliance & IEP Support:
Ensure adherence to IDEA, Section 504, other federal and state mandates, and authorizer policy and procedures in all aspects of service delivery.
Guide teachers through the IEP development and implementation process, ensuring goals are data-driven and student-centered, and appropriate to their individual needs.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation for IEPs, progress monitoring, and intervention plans.
Qualifications
Education & Training:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Special Education or a related field.
Certification: Valid Special Education Teaching License (or eligibility to obtain one required), additional certificates preferred
Preference for candidates with specialized training in dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years in special education, with a focus on instructional coaching, teacher mentorship, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Experience providing structured academic and behavioral interventions to students with identified disabilities
Strong understanding of IDEA, Section 504, IEP processes, social-emotional learning, behavior management strategies, and team facilitation.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with teachers, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams in a small school environment where relationships and individualized support are key.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Expertise in learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
Strong advocacy for students with learning differences, ensuring equitable access to education.
Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and instructional strategies tailored to various learning profiles.
Experience with assistive technology and accommodations to support students with disabilities.
Ability to coach and mentor teachers in best practices for inclusive education.
Leadership in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a collaborative approach to student success.
Deep understanding of IDEA, Section 504, IEP development, and compliance requirements.
Strong collaboration and communication skills with teachers, administrators, families, and support staff.
Familiarity with social-emotional learning (SEL) approaches and behavior management strategies.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Work is performed in a classroom setting.
Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Salary, Benefits, and Terms
Salary: $60,000-$70,000/annually
Paid time off.
100% employer paid plans offered for employee health, dental and vision
401(K) with a 100% match up to 5% of compensation; please note: this is not a PERA-eligible position
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Exempt
Location: 3115 Larkspur Drive, Colorado Springs
Work year and hours shall be those established by Orton Academy.
Performance evaluations will be conducted in accordance with school policy.
Mandatory Background Check
Equal Employment Opportunity
Orton Academy seeks to comply with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
The Board of Directors at Orton Academy has contracted with Minga Education Group (MEG) to provide employment services for all staff that work at Orton Academy. Through this partnership, MEG provides OA with employment services, a personnel system for human resources, benefits, payroll services, as well as access to a 401(k) plan. For naming purposes, Minga Education Group is the employer.