Teacher Secondary Classroom Co-Teacher at Progressive Independent School
Job Description
MISSION OF THE SCHOOL
As part of the Center for Bright Kids Academic Talent Development, Vector Progressive School maintains the mission and vision of offering opportunities and experiences that engage the whole kid – intellectual, social, emotional, personal, and ethical. We believe that it is essential to uphold an authentic commitment to reflect the broad diversity of our families, communities, and region within our school and to pursue a socially just curriculum through culturally relevant pedagogies that challenge our understandings of the sociocultural contexts which surround us. We will encourage imaginative thinking, a discovery of the world, a passion for thinking and playing, and a world view that emphasizes recognition of our role as members of a global community. We promote student independence, confidence, empowerment and positive self-esteem through respectful, responsible, and accountable contributions in a community that is safe and responsive to the need for a sense of belonging.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL
Vector Progressive School is a middle and high school learning community for gifted and talented learners driven by the need to ask big questions and be challenged by integrated accelerated curriculum. Vector is a progressive secondary school opening in the fall of 2021 in the north Denver metro. In the 2021-2022 school year, Vector expects to enroll approximately 40 students in grades 6-12, as we emphasize and prioritize a small school learning community.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Vector Progressive School is seeking committed educators who value and understand a progressive model to join our school community. Classroom Co-Teachers work in collaboration with our Community Liaison Social Worker and Experiential Support Coach as well as their content specialist teams of three teachers and teach a multiage classroom that roughly follows middle school or high school grade levels. Vector is seeking cross-curricular humanities and sciences teachers, as well as mathematics and fine arts specialists. We believe education can look and feel differently and can be a place of authentic meaning for both kids and staff as we create knowledge together.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree, past identification as a gifted and talented learner preferred
- 3 or more years of relevant teaching experience preferred
- Teaching endorsement or certification preferred
- Educational philosophy aligns with the mission and vision of Vector
- Commitment to culturally relevant pedagogy, social justice, and anti-racist practices
- Previous success in working with gifted and talented learners in accelerated environments
- Reflective practitioner in a state of constant professional growth and a willingness to share their craft with others
- Commitment to and experience with interdisciplinary, integrated, and student-driven pedagogy
- Interest in and dedication to being challenged in one’s own personal and professional growth as part of a small, dedicated, fun-loving team
- Experience with co-teaching preferred
- Experience designing interdisciplinary global thematic units of study preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills, work ethic, and sense of humor
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience collaborating with kids, families, colleagues, and administrators
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with co-teachers, support staff, and school leaders to provide high-quality, interdisciplinary, accelerated instruction to the entire community
- Actively participate in a professional learning community as part of a high-energy, hard-working, inquisitive, and playful learning “family”
- Use a variety of qualitative assessments to measure student learning and drive instruction (there is no standardized testing as part of our practices)
- Tailor and differentiate curriculum to individual student and small group abilities in order to effectively challenge students
- Collaboratively plan interdisciplinary units of study
- Commit to working with one class of students for two consecutive years (looping)
- Actively participate in the school’s decision-making and community-growing processes
- Regularly communicate with families, students, and community partners
- Integrate the Vector mission, vision, and collective commitments into classroom culture, units of study, and interactions with staff, families, and students
- Integrate the real world and global community into curriculum, including directly addressing power, privilege, and difference within the classroom and curriculum (including but not limited to race, class, LGBTQIA+ and gender identity)
- Build and maintain positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues
- Maintain confidentiality with student information and records
- Create a positive and safe school-wide and classroom culture and community
COMPENSATION
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and education ranging from $32,126-$59,198 annual.
How to Apply
- Send your resume and cover letter to hiring@cbkadmin.org. Please include VECTOR HIRING in the subject line of the email.
- Your cover letter should include a statement of your educational philosophy, why you believe you are a fit, and why you are interested in becoming part of the team at Vector Progressive School.
- Please also provide a professional letter of recommendation.
- If you have questions about any of our positions, please feel free to email to the attention of Dr. Amy Rushneck, Executive Director, at hiring@cbkadmin.org.
