• Job Description

  Req#: 496352

  Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary program designed for gifted children. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 230 students ranging from three years of age through eighth grade, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning needs.

  Position Summary

  The Ricks Center for Gifted Children is a private elementary school for gifted learners within the University of Denver. There are approximately 200 students between preschool to 8th grade. The Lead Teacher is responsible for an assigned grade level and reports to the designated administrator in charge. The Lead Teacher will guide and mentors an Associate Teacher who is a direct report to the Lead Teacher. The Lead Teacher differentiates instruction, compacts curriculum, ensure a depth of conceptual understanding, and develops curriculum that is responsive to the learning needs and interests of the students. The Lead Teacher develops, and monitors student progress and uses the information to inform instructional practices. The Lead Teacher must understand developmentally appropriate practice.

  Essential Functions

  Curriculum Planning, Teaching, and Assessment

  • Develops integrated inquiry-based curriculum including learning provocations, essential questions, high-level thinking activities, and assessments while guiding the teaching team.
  • Implements structures and systems to boost students’ demonstrations of learning.
  • Identifies student development using a variety of assessment techniques and means.
  • Plans, documents, teaches, and assesses units and lessons that foster student engagement.
  • Collaborates with teachers and administration in developing integrated units.
  • Utilizes a variety of curriculum for student engagement and assessment.
  • Balances skills and concept development that reflects student needs, ideas and interests.
  • Integrates gifted sensitivities and intensities into strengths-based learning experiences.
  • Provides individual and small-group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying abilities and learning profiles to promote differentiation and engagement.
  • Uses flexibility in instructional practices to reflect the differentiated needs of the students.
  • Instructs students in proper care and use of tools and equipment and to maintain an orderly workspace.
  • Evaluates each student’s performance and growth to inform instruction.
  • Completes reflections of learning and other summative assessments as needed.
  • Effectively leads Associate Teachers in planning for student development, parent communication, decision making and other components of the job.
  • Guides, mentors and oversees Co-Teacher development of lessons and assessments.
  • Monitors and oversees student workers.

  Relationship Building, Best Practice and Communication

  • Builds and sustains positive relationships with students, parents, staff and other community members.
  • Guides, mentors and oversees Co-Teachers communication and induction to Ricks culture.
  • Collaborates with Student Support Team and specialists.
  • Develops a supportive, cohesive classroom learning community.
  • Informs parents of student progress utilizing a narrative approach.

  Professional

  • Creates professional goals and participate in professional learning communities including coaching, mentoring and self-reflection.
  • Participates in school-wide curriculum alignment, scope and sequence planning and yearly strategic initiatives.
  • Participates in inquiry action cycles focused on student growth and professional learning.
  • Attends all professional development provided.
  • Engages in our culture of high expectations and continuous personal development.
  • Assists with Co-Teachers goal development.
  • Other duties as required.

  Maintenance and Logistics

  • Establishes and maintains routines and utilizes positive discipline, collaborative approaches to student behavior management, approaching behavior as learning opportunities.
  • Organizes storage areas and coordinate use of materials, equipment, and tools to prevent loss or abuse, and to minimize time required for distribution and collection.
  • Documents and communicates student learning.
  • Implements a learning management system to communicate to students, families and teachers.
  • Supports the school mission through active involvement in the school community, College of Education, and the University of Denver.
  • Selects and requisitions books, instructional materials, tools, and instructional aids, and maintains supplies inventory.
  • Plans and presents student work, displays and exhibitions designed to exhibit students’ learning within the school, DU, and larger community.
  • Performs any other duties as may be assigned by administration.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to problem solve
  • Ability to prioritize and multitask
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Strong time management ability
  • Strong ability to work on a team
  • Ability to work with many different types of people
  • Organized and flexible

  Required Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree in Education, subject area or a related field.
  • 3+ years teaching experience teaching in EC, Elementary or Middle School.
  • Experience teaching gifted children and twice exceptional students.
  • Experience teaching in a cross-curricular integrated program.
  • Valid teaching license or the qualifications necessary to obtain one.
  • Knowledge of social/emotional learning curriculum and special needs development.
  • Experience in co-teaching.
  • Must be able to lift, push, pull 50 llbs.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree or Doctorate in Education, subject area or a related field.
  • Gifted endorsement.
  • Experience facilitating learning that is project-based playful inquiry.

  Working Environment

  1. Standard office environment.
  2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
  3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

  Physical Activities

  1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
  2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

  Work Schedule
  Monday - Friday 7.5 hours per day

  Application Deadline
  For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 23, 2023.

  Special Instructions
  Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

  Salary Grade Number:
  The salary grade for the position is 9.
  
  Salary Range:
  The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $65,000.

  The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

  Benefits:
  The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

  Please include the following documents with your application:
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter

  The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

  All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

• About the company

  The University of Denver is a private research university in Denver, Colorado.

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