Durango School District 9-R is accepting applications for an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for the 2024/2025 school year. Must meet Colorado Department of Education's ESSA requirements for In-Field Teacher in Early Childhood Special Education by the start date. Begins August 8, 2024.

Job Title: Licensed Early Childhood Education Special Educator Teacher

Job Family: Licensed Staff Pay Grade: Licensed Salary Schedule

Department: Student Services FLSA Status: Exempt

Typical Work Year: 10 months Prepared Date: December 16, 2016; July 18, 2023

SUMMARY: Provide intervention services to identified students ages three (3) to five (5) who qualify for special education. Services are provided at a variety of locations including community preschools, head start classrooms and district preschool programs. Work with general education staff to provide direct and indirect support and adapt instruction to meet the individual learning needs of all students resulting in an increased probability of advancing their achievement. Maintain positive interpersonal relationships with students, parents, families, staff and community members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Effectively use case management strategies to support student outcomes based on the identified intervention services needed for students ages three (3) to five (5) who exhibit special needs. Collaborate with general education teachers to modify and tailor the curriculum as necessary to address individual student differences, learning styles, functional educational levels, and student abilities. Strong knowledge of child development, literacy and numeracy development, teaching methods, learning styles, and educational research related to learners with all types of special needs. 

Utilize formative and standardized assessments to assess the learning, achievement, and performance of each child. Implement both formal and informal diagnostic special education assessments for early childhood education including play based and curriculum based assessments.

Work with the IEP Team to develop and implement students' Individualized Education Plans (IEP's). Train and support general education teachers and paraprofessionals who work directly with children on your caseload to implement the individualized plan. Monitor the goals and outcomes of the IEP and maintain communication with families and the rest of the IEP Team regarding the progress of the IEP.

Complete necessary paperwork and assure compliance with IDEA.

Facilitate strong home-to-school connections. Work with parents/guardians to assist them in understanding how to support child development needs in the home. 

Maintain an orderly, safe, positive learning environment to support child development and community connections.

Be familiar with and abide by all applicable Federal and Colorado laws and regulations; Board of Education policies and District Regulations, as amended from time to time; school procedures that relate to employment with the District.

Perform other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Assure the safety and welfare of students including necessary actions to insure that students are supervised at all times.
• Demonstrate faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.
• Submit required reports promptly at the times specified.
• Demonstrate care of and protection of School District property
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
• Use the District’s internet and E-mail system as specified in Policy.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent or their designees. 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Minimum: Bachelor’s degree of related subject from accredited university.

EXPERIENCE: Experience providing special education services to early childhood students preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS

Colorado Teaching License with endorsements for the levels and subject areas teaching. Meet Colorado Department of Education's and ESSA requirements for In-Field Teacher. May be required to complete CPI training depending on assignment.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
• Effective understanding of the IEP writing process including standards alignment of the IEP
• Ability to develop and implement appropriate progress monitoring tools to assess student progress toward goals.
• Strong decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Ability to develop and implement accommodations and modifications that facilitate student mastery of the Colorado Academic Standards
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to promote and follow Board and District policies, Superintendent policies and building/department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively in a team setting
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• Microcomputers and general office equipment.
• IEP software.
• Microsoft Office applications.
• Student Information Systems

Durango School District 9-R is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District 9-R, 201 E 12th Street, Durango, CO 81301, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durango.k12.co.us, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695.