Special Education Teacher and Advisor
RiseUp Community School
RiseUp Community School: Special Education Teacher Position Description
Our mission is why we show up to work
The mission of RiseUp Community School is to engage young people who have previously dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out in a supportive learning environment that holds each student to high expectations, cultivates social justice, and inspires every student to achieve a high school diploma and become prepared for college and careers after graduation.
Our vision is what we work at every day
The idea that students need to “leave to learn” is at the heart of our work. Student learning comes alive when the entire community becomes the classroom. As a Big Picture School, we let internships, passion projects, and individualized learning plans help put students in the driver’s seat of their school experience. By the time a student graduates, they embody the RiseUp Portrait of a Graduate.
Why work at RiseUp:
- 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio
- Develop close relationships with students
- Act as a facilitator for student goals
- Creativity and out-of-box thinking is encouraged
- Work closely with community members
- Only internship-based high school in Denver Public Schools
- Restorative model focusing on youth brain development
Why now is an exciting time:
In the 25-26 school year, RiseUp will roll out the Big Picture Learning model to all students in all grades and there is much work to be done! If you are a visionary, a risk taker, or someone who wants to disrupt the status quo, this is the school for you. There will be many opportunities to create the systems you always dreamed could exist at a school.
Position Overview:
- Duties specific to the Special Education Teaching position:
- Train and support teachers to incorporate accommodations
- Work with community members to ensure internship success*
- Teach a daily advisory class for students with IEPs
- Meet with small groups of students for interventions above and beyond what can be delivered in classes
- Partner with testing School Assessment Leader to review proper testing accommodations
- Progress monitor students on caseload (approx. 15-20)
- Keep all IEPs up to date and develop new IEPs as necessary
- Act as the main contact for district Special Education communication, and ensure federal, state and district compliance timelines are met
- Duties may include mentoring new Special Education teacher(s)
- Attend additional meetings to help create support plans for students with IEPs. RiseUp’s MTSS team is called the Climate and Culture team.
*RiseUp is part of the Big Picture Learning network. Learn more about Big Picture schools!
Experience:
- Applicants possess a current Colorado Teaching License with a Special Education credential or be in the process of acquiring one if transferring from another state.
- 3-5 years of experience
- Experience as a lead teacher or team lead
- Spanish (conversational) language preferred
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary follows Denver Public Schools salary schedule. Salary for teacher with 3-5 years of experience is $55k-75k
- Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision)
- 10 paid days off
- PERA (retirement) contributions
To apply, send the following to [email protected]:
Cover letter- address why RiseUp Community School is of interest and a good fit for you, and highlight unique skill sets and/or beliefs you possess that may not come through in your resume.
Written response-
We would like for you to think of a significant past event that involved yourself in a teaching or helping role with one or more other persons. That is, from a human relations standpoint, this event had special meaning for you. In writing about this event, please use the following format:
- Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
- What did you do in the particular situation?
- How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
- How do you feel about the situation now? Would you wish to change any part of it?
Resume/CV (include three references)
Application timeline:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled
Interviews conducted on a rolling basis
Position start date- August 1, 2025