Employer: DOWNTOWN DENVER EXPEDITIONARY SCHOOL
Location: Denver, CO
Employment Type: Health insurance
Hiring for 24-25 School Year
SpEd/Behavior Support ParaEducator...
Term: Immediate Hire- May 31st, 2025
Do you crave a diverse learning environment in the city center, made up of a crew that believes in deeper learning, provides coaching and robust professional development for teachers, and takes the learning out of the classroom and into the real world? At DDES, we believe that all students deserve access to appropriately rigorous & and engaging learning experiences in which they have the opportunity to participate in meaningful work.
The Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) is a K-5 public charter school in the portfolio of Denver Public Schools. DDES was founded by a group of parents, community members, and business leaders seeking a high-performing EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school to serve a diverse range of families who live, work, or learn in downtown Denver. DDES is one of 33 credentialed schools in a national network of more than 150 schools that work together with EL Education to challenge students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement in school.
Our Approach
The city is our campus
• Students interact with their community through fieldwork and service-learning
• Students are able to connect their learning to real-world issues and needs
• We invite experts from our surrounding community to deepen our instruction
Students are leaders of their own learning:
• Students grapple with real-world problems through multi-subject learning expeditions
• Students produce high-quality work and present their work to authentic audiences
• Students regularly engage in cycles of reflection culminating in Student-Led conferences
We educate the Whole Child
• Social-emotional learning and character development are core components of our curriculum
• Daily Crew block and closing circle promote meaningful relationships with peers and teachers
• Adventure trips for all grade levels (2-3/year)
• Robust Movement and Art programs
• In-house after-school program with no enrollment caps & financial assistance
We provide the support students need:
• Focus on small classes with additional adult support
• Impactful intervention and special education teams
• Two full-time mental health professionals (psychologist and social worker)
• Auggie the therapy dog onsite each week
Diverse by Design & Anti-Racist practices
• Enrollment priorities are focused on DDES becoming a fully integrated K-5 public school, both racially and socio-economically
• Culturally responsive curriculum which intentionally includes traditionally marginalized perspectives
• Long-term partnerships with BIPOC professionals to provide expertise within Learning Expedition Units of Study
• Recruitment strategies aimed at diversifying educators to reflect our student population
• “Grow your own” teacher-assistant to teacher pipeline program which aims to train, develop and promote BIPOC educators from within DDES.
Our Culture
Compensation & Benefits
• Step and lane system that rewards dedication, commitment, and mastery of knowledge/skills
• Stipended school leadership opportunities ( instructional, operational, and community-based).
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan, 100% paid by DDES
• PERA retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Short Term Disability, 100% paid for by DDES (long-term optional)
• Paid parking and/or commuter cost are 100% paid for by DDES
• 5 days paid time off; holidays off with Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter break
• Flexible Savings Account option for medical and childcare coverage
• Vision care & PERA 401k option, PERA life option
• Free on-site aftercare if your child attends DDES.
Professional Growth & Development
• Two-week PD summer institute
• Weekly PD for Teaching Assistants and culture building
• TA to Teacher pipeline program with possible education tuition assistance
• Paid lead teacher opportunities
• Restorative practices training and modeling
• Neurosequential Model in Education training
• Culturally Responsive Classroom training
Other perks
• Staff celebrations (paid for by DDES) & accolades
• Lounge stocked with snacks, coffee & treats year-round
• Appreciation breakfasts, lunches & dinners
• Regular staff outings and self-care initiatives
• High-quality staff swag
Ready to join our Crew?
Here at DDES, we don’t just accept differences — we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our employees, our students, and our community. DDES seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support the retention and advancement of black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within the organization. DDES is inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other non-merit fact so that all employees feel included, equally valued, and supported.
Position Overview: The SpEd Behavior Support Paraprofessional will support assigned student(s) academically and socially/behaviorally during strategic parts of their day. This includes supporting the implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans in alignment with the Neurosequential Model of Education. This may include relationship-building activities, social-emotional skill-building, and de-escalation.
Reporting hours: Approximately 33-40 hours/week. Work hours will vary depending on individual schedules. Typical working hours for Paras will be from 7:45 am- 3:30 pm with a 30 min. unpaid lunch, and 7:45 am-1:30 pm on Fridays. Para will have the option to work in DDES’s aftercare program for additional hours and full benefit coverage.
Primary Responsibilities
• Promote the Neurosequential Model in Education
• Communicate professionally and effectively with team, therapists & families.
• Monitor children’s behaviors, safety, and progress, in the classroom and other settings (transitions, playground)
• Work proactively with all staff in the implementation and integration of effective programs for children.
• Manage individual children and groups in the event of a crisis and provides direct, immediate, and effective intervention with therapeutic follow-up.
• Provide a structured therapeutic classroom environment to maximize individual success in regard to service plans and individual education plans.
• Coordinate with Admin. Team, Teachers, and Therapists regarding therapeutic planning.
• Provide one-to-one assistance to students in the classroom.
• Know and implement crisis prevention/intervention techniques (i.e. TCI training, time-out, locked door quiet room) as well as procedures (i.e. runaway, injury, emergency).
• Monitors and supports students during classroom instruction (led by Crew Leader).
• Leads academic and or SEL (social-emotional learning) small groups
Ideal candidates
• A commitment to and thirst for continuously improving and growing your skillset
• Knowledge of child development and best practices for regulation & relationship building
• Experience with and passion for working with young students
• Enthusiasm for Expeditionary Learning, experiential education, project-based learning, or other inquiry or investigation-based teaching and learning model preferred.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work and contributing to a culturally responsive classroom
• The ability to build strong relationships with your students and center family engagement in your practice.
• Take initiative and is proactive.
• Positive mindset and stays engaged with students and staff.
Necessary qualifications:
• 48+ university/college semester hours OR ability to pass WorkKeys test within 60 days of hire
• Ability to pass state, federal, and TRAILS (The Facility Child Abuse and Neglect) criminal background checks
Compensation:
• $20.75/hr. starting
• Review the Compensation & Benefits information above
Does it sound like a fit?
DDES conducts a recruiting process involving initial phone interviews, in-person interviews, and background and reference checks.
To initiate the process, please submit a DDES General Application, and we will be in touch soon.
You will need the following in order to complete the application:
• Resume
• 20 minutes to answer long-form questions