2025-2026 Lead Special Education Teacher

Company: Orton Academy
Location: Colorado Springs
Posted on: April 20, 2025

Job Description:

Job Title: Lead Special Education Teacher

Qualifications, skills, and all relevant experience needed for this role can be found in the full description below.

Reports to: Principal

Are you ready to make a transformative impact on students with learning differences?

Orton Academy is searching for a dedicated, student-centered Lead Special Education Teacher to champion inclusive education and ensure students with disabilities receive the individualized support they need to thrive.

At Orton Academy, we believe in unlocking every student's potential by providing structured, research-based interventions tailored to the needs of students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. We are looking for a leader who is not only passionate about special education but also committed to coaching and mentoring staff, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and ensuring compliance with special education laws and best practices.

If you're an experienced special education professional who thrives on building relationships, leading multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for students with diverse learning needs, we want you at Orton Academy.


About Orton Academy

Orton Academy is a groundbreaking 2-8 charter school authorized by D11 in Colorado Springs, CO. We are a regional leader in dyslexia education, utilizing research-based instruction to create personalized learning experiences that enable students to overcome learning challenges. Our curriculum is rooted in the science of reading and structured literacy, ensuring that students receive the targeted support they need to succeed.

At Orton Academy, we don't just teach-we empower. Our students develop the skills, confidence, and strategies to navigate their academic journeys and beyond. Through individualized instruction, small class sizes, and a supportive learning environment, we are redefining what's possible for students with dyslexia.

Learn more about our unique approach at https://ortonk8.org


Philosophy and Vision Alignment

Our Why:

We exist to ensure that students with dyslexia have access to high-quality, research-based instruction tailored to their unique learning needs.
We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to develop confidence in their abilities and achieve their full potential.
We are committed to instilling hope, igniting purpose, and empowering students to succeed academically and personally.

Our How:

By implementing evidence-based instructional methods that prioritize the science of reading.
By fostering an inclusive, nurturing, and student-centered learning environment.
By equipping students with self-advocacy skills and strategies that empower them for lifelong success.

Our What:

We are a community of educators, students, and families committed to breaking down learning barriers and championing student success.
We provide specialized instruction tailored to the needs of students with dyslexia, ensuring they develop essential literacy and academic skills.
We ensure that every graduate leaves Orton Academy with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to excel in their future pursuits.

As the Lead Special Education Teacher, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the special education program, mentoring teachers, leading IEP processes, and fostering an inclusive school culture that ensures all students receive equitable access to learning.


Core Responsibilities

I. Teaching & Providing Interventions (Academic & Behavioral)

Deliver direct instruction in small-group and one-on-one settings for students requiring additional support in reading, writing, and math.
Implement targeted academic interventions for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning challenges.
Utilize multisensory, structured literacy, and explicit math instruction methods to support diverse learning needs.
Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) and classroom behavior support in collaboration with teachers and support staff.
Provide social-emotional and executive functioning interventions to help students manage emotions, improve focus, and build self-regulation skills.
Use data-driven decision-making to monitor student progress, adjust interventions, and ensure measurable growth.

II. Mastery & Modeling of Special Education Practices:

Demonstrate expertise in instructional strategies for students with disabilities, particularly those with dyslexia, ADHD, and social-emotional needs.
Model evidence-based interventions and differentiated instruction for special and general education teachers.
Assist in the development of individualized learning strategies that align with student strengths and needs.

III. Mentorship & Professional Development:

Provide one-on-one mentorship to special education teachers and collaborate with general education staff to support student success.
Facilitate teacher learning communities focused on special education best practices and legal compliance in Colorado.
Offer training on inclusive teaching methods and behavioral strategies tailored to the small school setting.

IV. Facilitating Multidisciplinary Teams & Collaboration:

Lead and facilitate multidisciplinary team meetings, including special educators, general educators, therapists (speech, occupational, physical), school psychologists, and counselors.
Ensure collaborative problem-solving to address students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Guide the team in developing integrated intervention plans, ensuring consistency and alignment across all areas of student support.
Serve as a liaison between special education staff, general educators, therapists, administrators, and families to ensure coordinated services and student success.

V. Social-Emotional & Behavioral Support in the General Education Setting:

Support the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Restorative Practices, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies to help students thrive in the general education environment.
Assist teachers in developing Tier 1 classroom management strategies and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) that support students with emotional and behavioral needs.
Promote self-regulation, executive functioning, and coping strategies for students struggling with behavioral and emotional challenges.
Collaborate with external partners to integrate mental health support into classroom instruction.

VI. Compliance & IEP Support:

Ensure adherence to IDEA, Section 504, other federal and state mandates, and authorizer policy and procedures in all aspects of service delivery.
Guide teachers through the IEP development and implementation process, ensuring goals are data-driven and student-centered, and appropriate to their individual needs.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation for IEPs, progress monitoring, and intervention plans.


Qualifications

Education & Training:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Special Education or a related field.
Certification: Valid Special Education Teaching License (or eligibility to obtain one required), additional certificates preferred
Preference for candidates with specialized training in dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years in special education, with a focus on instructional coaching, teacher mentorship, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Experience providing structured academic and behavioral interventions to students with identified disabilities
Strong understanding of IDEA, Section 504, IEP processes, social-emotional learning, behavior management strategies, and team facilitation.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with teachers, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams in a small school environment where relationships and individualized support are key.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Expertise in learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
Strong advocacy for students with learning differences, ensuring equitable access to education.
Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and instructional strategies tailored to various learning profiles.
Experience with assistive technology and accommodations to support students with disabilities.
Ability to coach and mentor teachers in best practices for inclusive education.
Leadership in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a collaborative approach to student success.
Deep understanding of IDEA, Section 504, IEP development, and compliance requirements.
Strong collaboration and communication skills with teachers, administrators, families, and support staff.
Familiarity with social-emotional learning (SEL) approaches and behavior management strategies.


Work Environment & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a classroom setting.
Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.


Salary, Benefits, and Terms

Salary: $60,000-$70,000/annuallyPaid time off.
100% employer paid plans offered for employee health, dental and vision
401(K) with a 100% match up to 5% of compensation; please note: this is not a PERA-eligible position


Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Exempt
Location: 3115 Larkspur Drive, Colorado Springs
Work year and hours shall be those established by Orton Academy.
Performance evaluations will be conducted in accordance with school policy.


Equal Employment Opportunity

Orton Academy seeks to comply with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

The Board of Directors at Orton Academy has contracted with Minga Education Group (MEG) to provide employment services for all staff that work at Orton Academy. Through this partnership, MEG provides OA with employment services, a personnel system for human resources, benefits, payroll services, as well as access to a 401(k) plan. For naming purposes, Minga Education Group is the employer.


Mandatory Background Checks: In alignment with our commitment to student safety, all candidates are required to undergo a comprehensive background check, which includes reviewing criminal records and will require fingerprinting. Please be aware that certain findings in the background check may disqualify a candidate from employment in a school setting. These may include, but are not limited to:

Convictions for violent crimes, such as assault or domestic violence.
Convictions for offenses against children, including abuse or endangerment.
Drug-related offenses, particularly those involving the distribution or trafficking of controlled substances.
Certain felony convictions, depending on their nature and recency.
History of certain misdemeanors that may raise concerns about a candidate's suitability for working in an educational environment. Submission of this application signifies your consent to this process and understanding of these criteria.

Verification of Qualifications: For roles that demand specific qualifications or certifications (such as teaching credentials), you will be asked to provide verifiable proof. We also conduct reference checks to validate your professional history and qualifications

Adherence to Colorado Education Laws: Our recruitment process strictly follows the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Colorado Department of Education. We expect all applicants to be familiar with and adhere to these standards.

This employer utilizes E-Verify



For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://ortonk8.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1455972-547222.html

Keywords: Orton Academy, Denver , 2025-2026 Lead Special Education Teacher, Education / Teaching , Colorado Springs, Colorado