Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is a Preschool to Grade 8 school serving the needs of gifted children since 1984. Ricks Center offers a progressive model of education focused on developing the intellectual, social, emotional, creative, and physical needs of the gifted child. Our diverse student body benefits from small class sizes, expert teachers, a wide range of content offerings, an integrated curriculum, and a focus on community, care, and engagement.

Position Summary

The Junior Lead Teacher is assigned to a particular grade level or may be split between grade levels and reports to the Lead Teacher(s). The Jr. Lead Teacher works with the Lead Teacher to differentiate instruction, compact curriculum, ensure a depth of conceptual understanding, and develop curriculum that is responsive to the learning needs and interests of the students. Under the Lead Teacher’s guidance and mentorship, the Jr. Lead Teacher develops and implements curriculum, monitors student progress and uses the information to inform instructional practices. In the occasional absence of the Lead Teacher, the Jr. Lead Teacher assumes full responsibility of the classroom.

Essential Functions

Curriculum Planning, Student Teaching and Assessment (under the guidance and direction of the Lead Teacher)

• Develops integrated inquiry-based curriculum including learning provocations, essential questions, high-level thinking activities, and assessment.
• Implements structures and systems to promote students’ learning.
• Assesses 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 curricula for student engagement and assessment.
• Balances skills and concept development that reflect 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 student performance and growth to inform instruction.
• Completes reflections of learning and other summative assessments as needed.
• Effectively leads student workers in planning for student development, parent communication, decision making, and other components of the job.

Relationship Building, Best Practice and Communication

• Builds and sustains positive relationships with students, parents, staff and other community members. Collaborates with the 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 participates 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 a culture of high expectations and continuous personal development.
• Other duties as required.

Maintenance and Logistics

• Establishes and maintains routines and utilizes positive discipline, and collaborative approaches to student behavior management.
• Organizes storage areas and coordinates the use of materials, equipment, and tools to prevent loss or abuse and to minimize the time required for distribution and collection.
• Documents and communicates student learning.
• Implements a learning management system to communicate with 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 the larger community.
• Performs any other duties as may be assigned by administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build relationships with children at a variety of age levels.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to actively listen when working with all constituents.
• Ability to Adapt to a variety of different settings.
• Ability to engage a small group.
• Patient and empathetic nature.
• Life-long learner.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Willingness to work with children in a play-based inquiry environment.
• Ability to push, pull, or lift 50 lbs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in ECE, Elementary Education, Special Education, Family and Child Development, or Child Psychology or CDHS Division of Childcare Group Leader qualification.
• 1 year of classroom experience in a NAEYC-accredited early childhood group setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in ECE or related field.
• 3 or more years of classroom experience in a NAEYC-accredited early childhood group setting. Knowledge and experience working with children who have special needs.
• Experience working with children in an inclusive environment.

Working Environment

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

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Evenings and weekends as required.

Application Deadline

For priority consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 4, 2025.

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 7.

Salary Rate

The salary rate for this position is $46,000.

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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran 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; the Americans with Disabilities Act; 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; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

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