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 200 students ranging from ages three years old through eighth grade, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities, and learning. 

Position Summary

The Ricks Center invites applications for a Lead teacher, 2025-2026 to support our middle school. We seek candidate(s) with expertise in mathematics, social studies, gifted education, middle school, and/or instructional coaching supporting teachers with curriculum development. We desire a candidate who is adept at working with a group of gifted students with varying abilities requiring differentiation, individualized instruction, assessment, and content acceleration. This position requires a dynamic individual with expertise differentiating instruction for gifted and twice-exceptional learners, and the fostering of growth mindsets and a love of learning.

This position is funded through the end of the 2025/2026 school year, ending in June 2026.

Essential Functions

• Teach multiple classes.
• Assess student development and performance.
• Implement and expand on state-of-the-art curriculum.
• Support the school mission through active involvement in the school community.
• Participate in team teaching across content areas.
• Interact and be involved with parents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with gifted children.
• Experience with differentiating instruction for gifted children.
• Experience designing, implementing, and assessing units and lessons to both meet standards and foster student growth beyond standards.
• Ability to build strong, positive, professional relationships with students, families, and a collaborative team.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Education, Mathematics, Social Studies, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience working with gifted students.
• Valid teachers license or the qualifications necessary to obtain one within two years.
• Knowledge of social/emotional learning curriculum and special needs development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate hours in gifted education.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often, and the 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, 40 hours/week.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 12:00 p.m. (MST) August 31, 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 9.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $29,150 - $34,450.

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.