Special Education Teacher - Morgridge Academy (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade) at National Jewish Health – Denver, Colorado

Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health is seeking a Special Education Teacher to support students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade in a specialized, health-focused learning environment. This role delivers individualized, rigorous instruction to students with chronic illnesses, integrating academic, medical, and social-emotional support. Teachers on our team foster a collaborative, student-centered classroom using innovative, project-based learning to promote curiosity, problem-solving, and self-advocacy.

Key Highlights

• Provide differentiated instruction across all subjects while ensuring compliance with IEPs and special education requirements
• Implement rigorous, authentic lessons using a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach
• Collaborate with clinical and school teams to support students’ overall well-being
• Build strong relationships with families and maintain accurate academic records

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, recognized for excellence in patient care, research, and education. Founded in 1899, the institution is committed to advancing science and improving lives. Morgridge Academy extends this mission by providing a free, accredited education to students with chronic illnesses.

Position Summary
Teachers will provide an environment that nurtures the individual medical, educational, emotional and physical needs of children diagnosed with chronic illness with rigorous, innovative, and authentic experiences. Staff and Students will work together to solve meaningful problems through collaboration and innovation, create products to share with family and community, advocate for themselves and others, and be responsible, self-directed and curious learners.

Essential Duties

1. Instruct students in all areas of academics, providing individualized instruction as needed and in compliance with all special education mandates.
2. Implement the Problem Based Learning model in conjunction with the PBL coach and other staff.
3. Plan and implement rigorous, authentic, and innovative lessons.
4. Assess student performance and provide meaningful feedback.
5. Collaborate with the special education coordinator to write and implement quality IEPs.
6. Maintain academic records and meet deadlines.
7. Support the mental health needs of students in conjunction with the school counselor and other staff.
8. Monitor and evaluate the physical condition of children.
9. Build deep relationships with families.
10. Supervise volunteers, educational assistants, interns or student teachers as needed.
11. Attend professional development, daytime meetings, and after school/evening meetings or events as necessary.
12. Assist with the supervision of students before school, during lunch, between classes, and/ or dismissal.
13. Serve as back-up to staff absences as necessary.
14. Maintain student confidentiality and other confidential information that is obtained during the performance of duties.
15. Collaborate with other staff to maintain the school garden.
16. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Other Duties

1. Performs, as directed, safety compliance and uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed.
2. Participates in Quality Assessment (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) programs, as directed.
3. Ensures compliance with The Joint Commission and all other Federal, State and Regulatory Agencies.
4. Responds promptly and sincerely to customer’s needs, requests and concerns via all communication forms using easily understood language and refraining from using inappropriate language and non-verbal gestures.
5. Maintains positive working relationships as a team player through problem solving issues, speaking positively about others, listening attentively and observing the Patient Bill of Rights and Confidentiality.
6. Increases customer service knowledge, skill and ability by participating in department and institution-wide specific programs.
7. Incorporates National Jewish’s identity (Science Transforming Life®) into daily functions. Speaks positively about the institution, provides customers with prompt service, maintains a clean and safe working environment, dresses appropriately based upon National Jewish safety standards, and departmental policies and wears an ID badge visibly.

Competencies

1. Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
2. Impact and Influence: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved. Taking advantage of opportunities to make a different and have an impact. When used will, the intended outcome of this competency is the creation of goodwill, trust and respect while motivating people to want to follow you even when they don’t have to.
3. Collaboration and Teamwork: Cooperates with others to accomplish common goals; works with the employees within and across his/her department to achieve shared goals; treats others with dignity and respect and maintains a friendly demeanor; values the contributions of others.
4. Creativity and Innovation: Applies creative problem-solving skills to develop solutions to problems; recognizes and demonstrates the value in taking “smart” risks and learning from mistakes; develops multiple alternatives and understands the feasibility of each; effectively shares and implements his/her ideas. Generates innovative solutions in work situations; tries different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities.
5. Student Relations: Meeting student and patient student needs; taking responsibility for a student's safety, satisfaction, and educational outcomes; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult student situations and regain student confidence.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility
None

Travel
Minimal travel (< 5%)

Core Values

1. Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
2. Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
3. Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
4. Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
5. Promotes a workplace culture based on mutual respect and merit, where all individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunity to contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.
6. Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
7. Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
8. Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor degree required in Elementary Education, Special Education, OR Bachelors in other discipline with Teacher Certification Training in Education or Special Education. Master's degree in Elementary Education or Special Education (with a mild-moderate or affective needs endorsement), preferred.
2. Work Experience: A minimum of 3 years experience in elementary education and/or special education required. Experience with chronically ill children preferred.
3. Special Training, Certification or Licensure: Colorado teaching certification/licensure in elementary education and/or special education K-8 or K-12 as appropriate to grade/class assignment required.

Salary Range: $67,454.40 - $89,208.44

Benefits
At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives: Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance: Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance: Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits: Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.