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Position Title: Special Education Teacher - Mild to Moderate (MM)
Exempt
Site: Early Childhood Centers
Direct Supervisor: Building Principal
Contracted Length Term: 178 Days
Salary Schedule:  Teacher (range $51,516 - $83,929 based on 26/27 salary schedules, education and experience)
Start Date: August 12, 2026 (may be limited term)
District Summary:
Nestled within Colorado's gorgeous Western Slope, the towns of Montrose and Olathe are surrounded by an endless variety of prospects for exploration and adventure (Black Canyon National Park, Telluride and the San Juan Mountains to the South, along with rivers, lakes and streams). MCSD is one of the largest rural school districts in Colorado, which means we are small enough to be neighborly, but still big enough to continue growing (with short commutes to school and work). 
Come join the largest employer in Montrose County and work in an area where you can enjoy scenic drives, wilderness treks, a round of golf, and visits to our many local restaurants or brewpubs. Montrose and Olathe offer a little something for everyone shopping, fishing, biking, photography, camping, snowshoeing, Telluride skiing, swimming, motor-sports you name it! We hope you can join us at MCSD.
Benefits
At MCSD, we care about our employees and their loved ones. Our benefits package consist of the following items: a variety of health insurance plans with employer contribution, including dental and vision insurance, Telehealth, a $50,000 life insurance policy with optional additional coverage, PERA retirement contribution, supplemental insurance options, no match tax shelter account options including 401K, 457(b), 403 (b) and Roth, before tax deductions and flexible spending options, paid leave options and holidays based upon the position, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Added perks: Great people to work with, professional development and advancement opportunities, and multiple wellness programs and incentives.
Summary of Position:
Under the direction of the Building Principal and Director of Special Education, the Licensed Special Education Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities; Evaluates and assesses student progress aligned to instructional objectives and IEP goals; follows State mandated due process procedures and functions as IEP Case Manager to assigned students.

Mild/Moderate
If a student can be part of the general education classroom, their disability can range from mild to moderate. Students with more mild or moderate disabilities range from specific learning disabilities, like struggling in reading or math, to speech impairment where the student needs speech therapy for pronunciation issues. These students can normally function within a general classroom setting with accommodations or an inclusion teacher. Even a physical disability, such as a hearing impairment or health impairment, can be mild. A student with a hearing impairment might just need a hearing device to hear in the classroom but may not need any other accommodations to succeed. Typically, a general education teacher will have students who fall in the mild/moderate special education disability category. Specific Learning Disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken, or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.  Specific learning disability does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of: visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; intellectual disability; serious emotional disability; cultural factors; environmental or economic disadvantage; or limited English proficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements annual and triennial Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plan for students to include present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals.
• Develops individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student, setting learning goals and adopting modifications as necessary; ensures each student's activities and lessons are planned and organized according to his/her abilities.
• Ensures programs and services comply with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); ensures each applicable student is provided with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is properly modified for his/her individual needs.
• Administer, score, and record the results of criterion referenced, group standardized and specialized tests in evaluating pupil growth and progress.
• Counsel, confer, and communicate with parents, school and District personnel regarding pupil progress, and in the interpretation of the educational program.
• Identifies the students' needs and develops related lesson and teaching plans.
• Develops an integrated plan for the education of each child by collaborating with classroom teachers, parents, psychologists, related service providers, social workers, and other school staff.
• Develops and teaches lessons that provide engaging learning opportunities for small groups and individual students while meeting required specifications of IEPs.
• Implements IEPs, provides ongoing or follow-up assessments, and continually tracks progress and makes modifications as necessary.
• Collaborates with general education teachers to ensure each students needs are met and plans are followed.
• Develops, completes, and maintains all paperwork mandated by local, state, and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations.
• Maintains knowledge of special education teaching methods, research, and best practices through professional development and study.
• Establishes and enforces classroom management structure and rules that ensure the academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.
• Celebrates the achievements and successes of students.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:
Education: 
Minimum: Bachelor's degree and complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
Certification Requirement:
A valid Colorado Professional Teacher License with an Early Childhood Special Education (Ages 0-8) Endorsement
Experience:
Successful completion of student teaching at a recognized college or university and/or two years of full-time classroom teaching experience with the special needs child.
Knowledge of and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty areas.
• Thorough understanding of and the ability to implement a variety of effective teaching methods.
• Thorough understanding of policies, laws, and guidelines related to special education including IDEA and IEPs.
• Educational curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, and the educational trends and research findings pertaining to the special needs child.
• Behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques and methods, and conflict resolution procedures.
• Socio-economic and cultural background differences of the school population.

Ability to:

• Direct, monitor and collaborate with certified and classified staff working with students who have disabilities.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• To deliver and articulate oral presentations and written reports.
• To effectively and analyze needs and problems objectively.
• Plan, organize, develop, and conduct a comprehensive teaching and instruction program for special needs pupils.
• Provide an attractive, inviting, and stimulating learning environment. 

Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.  

• Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 5 to 50  pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• This type of work involves sitting, walking, and/or standing.
• Exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather may occasionally be experienced.
• Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.
• CBI/FBI background clearance and a clean driving record.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.