Open Rank (Instructor Sr. Instructor)

Position Details
University of Colorado Denver
Faculty Level/Title: Open Rank Instructor Sr Instructor
Working Title: Alternative Licensure Instructor (ALI) - Special Education Teacher Educator
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $68000 - $70000 (Instructor) & $74000 - $78000 (Sr. Instructor)
Position # Requisition #38089

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver a place where innovation research and learning meet in the heart of a global city. Were the states premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand top ranked bachelors masters and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learnersat any stage of their life and careerfor transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the states largest university system CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy with 2000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment visit .

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at *
Overview of the School of Education & Human Development
The School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver is a statewide and national leader for educational quality access and equity across the education lifespan from birth through higher education. Members of the school community have been informing policy and practice while addressing the most important challenges faced by individuals schools and communities for more than 50 years. We prepare inclusive educational community family and mental health practitioners scholars and leaders dedicated to championing change that leads to well-being opportunity and life-long learning in the diverse urban rural and global communities that we serve. Our Inclusive Excellence Plan reflects our efforts to ensure that those we serve have access to an excellent education through inclusive practice and scholarship in a climate that is responsive to their needs.
The schools degree programs engage students in a strategic and interrelated combination of course work and internships in schools agencies and community-based organizations. The school offers three doctoral level programs an educational specialist degree 13 masters degrees in multiple program areas and two undergraduate degrees along with many licenses endorsements and certificates. The undergraduate and graduate programs prepare and inspire education and mental health leaders to have a profound impact on fostering opportunity achievement and success across rural urban and diverse communities. Programs are designed to be highly impactful for working professionals and distance learners with evening online and hybrid class options.
Community-engaged and global partnerships are the heartbeat of SEHD. Innovative initiatives co-constructed with school districts community colleges and service organizations draw upon personnel strengths in education human well-being and equity-centered and community-focused research. These partnerships foster and celebrate diverse community voices relevant student learning opportunities that build careers positive outcomes for partner institutions and outstanding research publications cited around the world.
In 2024 SEHD was recognized as the number one graduate online education program in Colorado and among the top graduate education programs in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report.
The School of Education & Human Developments strategic plan outlines its commitment to academic excellence inclusive practices and community engagement. It emphasizes fostering innovation in teaching research and service to meet the evolving needs of students and society. To read the full statement click here: Position
The School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) at the University of Colorado Denver announces a full-time teacher educator position in our continuing and professional education (CPE) program for the ASPIRE to Teach Alternative Teacher Licensure Program. We are specifically looking for educators with at least five years demonstrated expertise in a public K-12 setting as a special education teacher or related personnel. This individual will be knowledgeable regarding Special Education law in Colorado and have a strong understanding of students with specific learning disabilities among other disability categories. Other areas where experience is required include Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support managing behavioral needs and addition to a candidate experienced in case management and teaching we are seeking an educator with expertise in the content of teacher education and learning; someone with pedagogical instructional and coaching expertise in special education. The person would serve as a pedagogical and instructional coach mentor learning guide and professional learning facilitator for special education alternative licensure candidates. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in adult learning the use of instructional technologies for remote learning online curriculum facilitation instructional leadership in professional learning communities coaching of practicing teachers engagement in collaborative work and a history of working with non-dominant communities.

The ASPIRE to Teach philosophical approach to alternative teacher licensure features the interplay of the following theoretical frameworks:
How People Learn as a way to organize thinking about the design of effective learning environments through the overlapping principles: learner centered knowledge centered assessment centered and community centered.
CREDEs (Center for Research on Education Diversity & Excellence) Five Standards of Effective Pedagogy establishing ideals for best teaching practices especially for students whose potential is challenged by language or cultural barriers race geographic location or poverty.
Culturally Responsive Instruction Curriculum and Classroom Management frameworks consciously and systematically woven throughout all learning experiences promoting knowledge skills and dispositions of sociocultural conscious teachers.
Universal Design for Learning instructional design principles that give all students equitable opportunities to learn.
High Leverage Practices the fundamentals of teaching

This role also includes the responsibility for evaluating special education Alternative Licensed Candidates (ALCs) who are Teachers of Record in a Colorado school for completion of work required to be eligible for Initial Teacher License in this role you are responsible for the continued development implementation and coordination of the ASPIRE to Teach special education curriculum and program. Demonstrated expertise in pedagogy and instruction as well as documented experience as a teacher developer at the K-12 or higher education level is required. You must be located in the Denver-metro area to qualify for this position. Job responsibilities also include some evening and weekend work.

Alternative Licensure Instructor (ALI) - Special Education Teacher Educator
What you will do:
Teaching (80%)
Support and mentor your caseload of special education candidates by:
oProviding timely ongoing specific feedback and assessing the performance on work submitted to online learning modules.
oProviding timely ongoing specific feedback and assess the performance on work submitted to online video coaching portal
oMeeting 1:1 with candidates monthly via video conference
oTracking and reporting candidate program and teacher development progress
Contribute expertise related to the ASPIRE program philosophical frameworks.
Design and facilitate candidate learning in authentic remote Professional Learning Community (PLCs) that supports their development as effective educators.
Communicate regularly with candidates regarding progress in the classroom and ASPIRE program.

ALI Team and Collective Program Work (20%)
Provide ongoing support to other ALIs by offering resources and tools and sharing best practices
Ability to work collaboratively on an interdependent team.
Contribute to program and curriculum development in collaboration with colleagues
Take on different program leadership roles as needed.
Ability to seek out give and receive collegial feedback.
A disposition of curiosity ability to hold multiple perspectives and the skills to foster relationships with ALIs ALCs program staff and administrators across multiple institutions.
Tolerance for ambiguity due to the dynamic nature of the program and work.
Participate in various ASPIRE team meeting structures.
Meet as needed with the faculty and staff in the main School of Education & Human Development for collaboration and resource sharing
Engage in program evaluation activities

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Instructor:
Masters degree in education special education or related field.
3 or more years of demonstrated expertise as a special education teacher
Demonstrated experience in a teacher education/development role in higher education or K-12 education including coaching teachers in the field.

Sr Instructor:

Doctoral Degree in education special education or related field.
3 or more years of demonstrated expertise as a special education teacher
Demonstrated experience in a teacher education/development role in higher education or K-12 education including coaching teachers in the field.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)
Instructor & Sr. Instructor
We are seeking candidates who believe deeply in our organizations mission and who display a record of achievement. Successful candidates will also demonstrate:
Five or more years in a K-12 school setting as a special education teacher preferably working with culturally and/or linguistically diverse students in urban or rural settings.
Familiarity with Colorado curriculum standards and Teacher Quality Standards.
Knowledge of local state and federal alternative license policy.
Previous experience working with ASPIRE to Teach (either as a candidate or a contract employee)
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in remote learning environments developing and delivering instruction and supporting and facilitating professional learning communities.
Demonstrated pedagogical and instructional expertise in a special education K-12 setting
Demonstrated commitment to a socially just and equitable approach to education.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in culturally responsive teaching/learning and linguistically diverse education.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Self-directed work independently take initiative with or without the help of others
Strong empathetic Interpersonal and relationship building skills
Knowledge and experience related to adult learning theory
Excellent communication skills both written and in virtual spaces
Ability to efficiently allocate your time and cognitive resources to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks
Tolerance for ambiguity
Ability to be flexible and nimble with work responsibilities
Commitment to fostering strong relationships primarily through technology mediums
Disposition to be a contributor and collaborator on teams of a variety of sizes
A disposition of curiosity ability to hold multiple perspectives and the skills to foster relationships with other team members candidates program staff and administrators across multiple institutions

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $68000 - $70000 (Instructor) & $74000 - $78000 (Sr. Instructor)
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity experience education specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the Universitys good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits statement to include in all benefits-eligible positions. See Eligibility Matrix.
Benefits: Compensation Calculator: Deadline
Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified and interviews begin. Preference will be given to complete applications received by November 10 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply please visit: and attach:
A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.
Curriculum vitae / Resume outlining experience(s).
Five professional references including name address phone number (mobile number if appropriate) and email address. (We will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references).
Additional materials can be added here if applicable.

Questions should be directed to Jennifer Fox -

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational clinical research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must therefore consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.