Special Education Teacher
Odyssey School of Denver
Special Education teachers work to support the educational program of the Odyssey School of Denver in a manner that is true to the principles of EL Education and the mission and vision of the school.
Primary responsibilities include:
Planning, Instruction, and Assessment
- Develop compelling long-term and daily lesson plans aligned to student IEP goals and collect and analyze data to inform instruction
- Collect and modify grade level curriculum for students based on IEP goals for inclusion minutes and collaborate with teachers to determine administration of classroom assessments
- Provide all special education minutes based on student IEPs, both inclusion and pull-out
- Administer district/state assessments with accommodations (i.e. iReady, CMAS) and assessments as needed for progress monitoring and evaluation
Case Management
- Leads evaluation cycle for students on caseload, including administering and scoring assessments, and communicating with SSPs and families as needed
- Leads IEP writing and revisions for students on caseload
- Responsible for compliance of students on caseload, including meeting all deadlines
- Collaborates with other Case Manager/Special Education Teacher regularly
Family Communication
- Make families welcome, know them well, engage them actively in the life of the school, and communicate regularly with them.
- Make use of effective classroom management practices and communicate challenges and celebrations with parents
Professionalism & Responsibilities
- Participate in strong professional culture that is sustained via collective leadership and action.
- Observe and support the Odyssey staff community courtesies and Habits.
- Work with Adventure Director to schedule, plan, and support facilitation of two overnight trips per year, as well as a variety of Adventure days throughout the year, and coordinate parent chaperones.
- Attend and participate in all Staff Council and professional development meetings.
- Be prompt for school, meetings and other school responsibilities.
Leadership
- Serve as the instructional leader of the SPED team; department; assist team regarding curriculum, instructional strategies, use of data to determine student needs and increase student achievement. This role facilitates weekly team meetings, and guides team decision-making, and fosters strong communication between families, service providers, and campus staff.
- This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while supporting student success through quality Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Qualifications
- Must be a self-aware, mission-driven, solutions-oriented, team player looking to become an expert learner.
- Commitment to outdoor education and adventure programming for students.
- Certified Special Education teacher with 2 or more years of experience leading a classroom, K-5th grade experience preferred
- Experience with EL curriculum or project-based learning a plus but not required