Special Education Teacher – Affective Needs Classroom | Travel/Contract
Location: Thornton, CO
Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday | 40 Hours/Week
Start Date: ASAP
Pay: $50/hr to $55/hr
Position Overview
As a Special Education Teacher – Affective Needs, you will provide individualized instruction to students with emotional disabilities and behavioral challenges while implementing IEP goals, positive behavior interventions, and evidence-based instructional strategies. You'll collaborate closely with paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, and families to help students achieve academic success and social-emotional growth.
Primary Responsibilities
Instruction & Classroom Management
- Deliver specialized instruction aligned with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Develop engaging lesson plans that meet state academic standards
- Differentiate instruction based on each student's academic, behavioral, and emotional needs
- Foster a safe, structured, and inclusive classroom environment
- Utilize trauma-informed teaching practices and restorative approaches
- Promote student independence, self-regulation, and positive social skills
IEP Development & Compliance
- Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Collect and analyze student performance data
- Monitor progress toward IEP goals
- Prepare progress reports and educational documentation
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and district special education regulations
Behavior Support
- Implement Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS)
- Utilize behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
- Support students experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges
- Apply de-escalation strategies and proactive classroom management techniques
- Reinforce appropriate behaviors through positive interventions
Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with:
- General Education Teachers
- School Psychologists
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Behavior Specialists
- Social Workers
- Administrators
- Families and Caregivers
- Participate in IEP meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings
Student Support
- Create individualized learning strategies
- Encourage academic achievement and social-emotional growth
- Build trusting relationships with students and families
- Advocate for student success both inside and outside the classroom
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Special Education or related field
- Active Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Education License (or eligibility if applicable)
- Previous Special Education teaching experience
- Experience developing and implementing IEPs
- Strong classroom management skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
Preferred
- Experience in an Affective Needs, Behavioral Support, Emotional Disabilities, or Emotional Support classroom
- Experience working with students exhibiting emotional or behavioral challenges
- Knowledge of PBIS, MTSS, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
What You'll Bring
✔ Compassion and patience
✔ Strong leadership skills
✔ Exceptional classroom management
✔ Ability to build positive student relationships
✔ Collaborative mindset
✔ Passion for helping students succeed
✔ Strong documentation and organizational skills
✔ Commitment to inclusive education
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
- Full-time weekday schedule
- Supportive classroom environment
- Small student caseload (approximately 8–10 students)
- Paraprofessional support available
- Collaborative multidisciplinary team
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact on students with emotional and behavioral needs
- Professional growth in a specialized Special Education setting
BI01
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Pay: $2,000.00 - $2,200.00 per week
Benefits:
Experience:
- Affective needs: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- CO state special educator teacher license (Required)
Work Location: In person
