Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary program designed for gifted children. Established in 1984, Ricks provides nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 200 students ranging from preschool through eighth grade who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning. The 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 Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver invites applications for a Lead Teacher in Early Childhood. We desire a candidate adept at developing relationships with a diverse group of gifted students with varying abilities and, therefore, can differentiate curriculum, individualize and compact instruction, and ensure a depth of conceptual understanding. This position requires a dynamic individual who models a passion for and expertise in holistic education and who can collaborate effectively with the division team to develop and implement curriculum, track student progress, and group students for differentiation. The candidate is dedicated to developmentally appropriate practice and must be highly flexible. The ideal candidate will have a keen understanding of the competency of all children, respect for diversity, and a deep commitment to reflective practice. Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, be comfortable sitting on the ground and getting dirty, and naturally embrace children’s curiosity and creativity. A deep understanding of the gifted child and how to support twice-exceptional students is required.

Essential Functions

Curriculum planning, teaching, and assessment –

• Integrate curriculum and lead teaching team around emergent themes with constructed learning provocations, essential questions, and higher-level Blooms Taxonomy activities.
• Implement structures and systems to boost students’ demonstrations of learning.
• Assess student development, creations, projects, and conversations using a variety of assessment techniques.
• Plan, document, teach, and assess units and lessons that foster student engagement.
• Collaborate with teachers and administration in developing integrated units.
• Utilize a variety of curricula for student engagement and assessment.
• Balance skills, concepts, and application, allowing for student direction and interest in creating projects.
• Integrate gifted sensitivities, depth, complexity, and centers.
• Provide individual and small-group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying abilities and to accommodate a variety of instructional activities
• Instruct students in proper care and use of tools and equipment and to maintain an orderly workspace
• Evaluate each student’s performance and growth according to grade-level standards
• Complete report cards and other assessments as needed
• Effectively lead associate teachers and student workers, sharing responsibility for planning, student development, parent communication, decision making and other components of the job

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Relationship Building, Best Practice, and Communication –

• Build relationships with students, parents, staff, and other community members, including proactive outreach on positive aspects of learning.
• Collaborate with the support team and specialist.
• Grouping students to best fit needs and ensure growth.
• Inform parents of student progress utilizing a narrative approach.

Professional –

• Create professional goals and participate in professional learning communities, including coaching, mentoring, and self-reflection
• Participate in school-wide curriculum alignment, scope and sequence planning, and yearly strategic initiatives
• Participate in inquiry action cycles focused on student growth
• Engage in our culture of high expectations and continuous personal development.
• Other duties as required

Maintenance and logistics –

• Establish and maintain routines and utilize positive, collaborative approaches to student behavior management, approaching behavior as learning opportunities.
• Organize storage areas and control the use of materials, equipment, and tools to prevent loss or abuse and to minimize the time required for distribution and collection
• Document practices and create a digital library of resources
• Support the school mission through active involvement in the school community, the College of Education, and the University of Denver.
• Select and requisition books, instructional materials, tools, and instructional aids, and maintain supplies inventory
• Plan and present student work, displays, and exhibitions designed to exhibit students’ work in the school, DU, and the larger community.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the administration

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Early Childhood, or a related field
• 3+ years of teaching experience teaching in Early Childhood
• Experience teaching gifted children and twice-exceptional students
• Experience teaching in a cross-curricular integrated program
• Valid teaching license or the qualifications necessary to obtain one
• Knowledge of social/emotional learning curriculum and special needs development
• Experience in co-teaching

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Doctorate in Education, Early Childhood or a related field
• Gifted endorsement
• Experience leading project based, play-based learning

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.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull 50 lbs.

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

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 23, 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 $55,000-$65,000

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.