Gifted Learning Teacher
SUMMARY: The Gifted Learning Teacher reports directly to the Director of Gifted and Talented Services and provides gifted programming services to students while supporting general education teachers with appropriate differentiation strategies as well as co-teaching in GT Cluster Classrooms. The Gifted Learning Teacher also supports administrators and parents to meet the identified needs of gifted students. The teacher facilitates the equitable identification and programming of high ability students in one or more of the thirteen areas of gifted/talented recognized within the state of Colorado. Additionally, the teacher will manage the writing of Advanced Learning Plans of already identified gifted students per District Guidelines to include strength-based goal development, progress monitoring and reporting as well as assist in the selection of appropriate programming to meet identified gifted students’ needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following tasks describe the basic functions of the job and represent the type of work performed. They do not constitute an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities performed on the job. The following frequencies and percentage of time spent are approximations only.
- Provides indirect and/or direct services to gifted students as outlined in the student’s Advanced Learning Plan in conjunction with district and building guidelines for gifted education. [Daily, 25%]
- Assist classroom teachers in enriching and differentiating curriculum, providing materials, developing assessments, enrichment opportunities, and supports to help create an environment which provides opportunities for the exceptional needs of gifted learners while ensuring continued academic and affective growth and development. [Daily, 20%]
- Communicates with parents, teachers, and students on a regular basis, including but not limited to hosting information meetings at the building level which align with district initiatives and the Department of Gifted and Talented Services' messaging and processes. [Weekly, 10%]
- Engages stakeholders (e.g. parents, students, colleagues, co-teachers, administrators) in a professional manner across all situations. [Weekly, 5%]
- Collaborate with building principal and staff, Director of Gifted and Talented Services, and GTS department staff to oversee equitable building-level identification process and programming for gifted students as defined by Colorado’s Exceptional Student Act. [Monthly, 10%]
- Leads the process of developing and writing yearly Advanced Learning Plans for all identified gifted students, soliciting input from teachers, parents, and students; monitors and reports progress to strength-based and affective goals as outlined in the student’s individual Advanced Learning Plan in alignment with state timelines, requirements, and guidance/expectations set for by the Department of Gifted and Talented Services. [Monthly, 10%]
- Attend meetings and staff development opportunities hosted by the Department of Gifted and Talented Services to ensure timely curricular support and to maintain consistent alignment of process and practice. [Monthly, 10%]
- Facilitates dialogue with staff, parents, and administrators around how the Advanced Learning Plan informs student learning and growth. [Monthly, 5%]
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. [Daily, 5%]
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s of Arts degree in education.
- Knowledge of the identification and screening process for placement into the gifted and talented program.
- Knowledge of the Cherry Creek School District policies and Colorado Exceptional Children’s Act.
- Strong instructional knowledge of teaching methods, learning styles, and educational research related to gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional learners.
- Knowledge of standards-based education, Professional Learning Communities, Culturally Responsive Education, Innovation, and implications for best practice.
- Demonstrated strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated presentation skills in a variety of settings.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
- Ability to align curriculum and assessments with state content standards.
- Ability to support programs designed to increase student achievement.
- Ability to assume leadership in the development and communication of programs and curriculum.
- Ability and desire to work as a team member.
- Ability to actively participate in a Professional Learning Community.
- Ability to understand, appreciate, and make accommodations for student diversity.
- Ability to serve as a role model and an innovative and creative learner with an insatiable thirst for knowledge that stays on the cutting edge of instructional practice and pedagogy.
- Criminal background check and fingerprinting required for hire.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
All certifications, licenses, and registrations must be valid and unexpired.
- Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license.
- Endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Formal education beyond a Bachelor’s degree in gifted education.
- Experience advising school clubs/co-curricular activities.
- Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Demonstrated understanding of adult learning theory, change management, and program development/education reform.
- Demonstrated skill in working with staff, parents, and students on issues related to advanced, gifted, and talented students.
- Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Moderate physical effort.
- Lifting up to 25 pounds.
- Prolonged standing and walking.
- Occasional bending, reaching, and climbing.
- Occasional lifting, pulling, and pushing.
- Speaking and hearing.
- Visual concentration.
- Eye/hand coordination.
- Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard.
- Concentrated reading/writing/mathematics.
- Varying levels of noise.
- Normal classroom environment.
- Normal office environment.
- Normal school district environment.
- May work outdoors when monitoring student activities.