Teacher Gifted & Talented Teacher
Job Description
Excel Academy is a public charter school of choice serving 500 students in kindergarten through 8th grade within Jeffco Public Schools. Our custom-built 21st-century facility and campus is located in beautiful northwest Arvada, Colorado, just one block south of Standley Lake Regional Park and surrounded by the Michael Northey Park. Founded in 1995, Excel Academy is a community of students, educators, and families committed to enriching instructional experiences that are flexible and appropriate for every child. Our school utilizes a variety of intentionally-adopted curricula and flexible instructional strategies to differentiate and support each student in becoming an increasingly self-directed learner within a respectful learning environment. Strong parental involvement, small class sizes, character education, and restorative practices help our students exemplify our core SOAR values of Self Discipline, Outstanding Effort, Acceptance of Others, and Resilience. Please see our Program Overview for more information.
We seek educational professionals who embrace these ideals to join our growing community. Our school is in a phase of mission-based transformational growth and development of our school’s vision for the future. If you feel alignment with these principles, excitement about being part of shaping the school’s future, and passion for inspiring students and contributing to Excel Academy’s pursuit of excellence, we invite you to apply.
Our staff enjoys a week off in October, a week off over Thanksgiving, two weeks in December and a week in March.
This position is responsible for the education of gifted and talented students in a setting and creating an environment with high standards in learning, creativity, and personal growth in accordance with each student’s abilities, while carrying out the mission and vision of the school.
Specific duties include (other duties may be assigned):
- Developing, monitoring, and implementing Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) for all students, who are qualified. This will be done in conjunction with the parent/s, students, and classroom teacher/s.
- Participating in training to administer the CogAT assessments.
- Coordinating with District personnel to organize, pick-up, administer, and return the CogAT tests to all second graders, and other groups and/or individuals, as determined
- Providing in-service training on characteristics and needs of gifted (including twice-exceptional) students, as well as on differentiation strategies.
- Consulting with individuals or groups of teachers about how best to meet the needs of the gifted students.
- Working with individuals and/or groups of parents to help them understand how best to help their children reach their potential.
- Teaching model lessons to help teachers improve their skills in working effectively with these students
- Providing appropriate materials for students and staff to challenge these students
- Assists teachers in providing, and administering, appropriate pre- and post-assessments
- Keeps appropriate records and assessment data about these students
- Helps classroom teachers in making informed decisions about acceleration options
- Coordinates with the Core Knowledge Curriculum as provided in the scope and sequence
- Implements effective classroom management
- Supports middle school staff in designing and implementing enrichment options
- Provides appropriate instruction and activities to assist students in meeting state and national standards
- Communicates effectively with parents through a variety of means
- Participates in ALP meetings three times a year to design and discuss individual student goals and measure progress
- Creates an environment conducive for learning
- Participates in self, as well as external evaluation, of teacher effectiveness
- Maintains professional competence by participating in professional development opportunities, team meetings, and school-wide, staff meetings
- Follows all school policies and procedures
