Gifted And Talented Teacher

ASD is seeking an educator for this role who is genuinely excited about the complexity and potential of gifted and high-achieving middle schoolers - someone who sees this population as learners with unique social-emotional needs, remarkable capacity, and a deep need for challenge, belonging, and vision, and their own unique set of very real challenges.

Position Title: Gifted and Talented (GT) Teacher 

Department: Aspen Middle School

Reports to: Principal

Classification: Certified, Full-Time Exempt

Contract Period: 9-Month (185 days with some variance depending on the year)

Compensation: Certified Salary Schedule

I: Position Summary

• This teacher is responsible for organizing, implementing, and supporting accommodated instructional strategies for gifted students in their core classes. Beyond direct service, this role is a collaborative and consultative one - working alongside classroom teachers to ensure that every high-potential learner is seen, stretched, and supported. The ideal candidate brings both the technical knowledge of gifted education best practices and a genuine enthusiasm for building something meaningful at the middle school level.

II: Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Vision & Student Support

• Champion a high-quality, student-centered gifted program that reflects current best practices in gifted education, including support for twice-exceptional learners and equitable identification
• Support students in developing and pursuing ambitious, self-directed Academic and Affective Learning Plan (ALP) goals annually that stretch them toward their individual capacities
• Provide direct instruction to individuals and small groups, with a focus on depth, complexity, and authentic challenge
• Co-teach and consult with classroom teachers to embed differentiation and enrichment into everyday instruction
• Connect students and families to community resources, competitions, mentorships, and enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom

Coordination & Compliance

• Lead the school's gifted identification process, including data analysis and referral coordination
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized plans for each gifted student in accordance with district and state procedures
• Maintain accurate documentation, progress reports, and records as required by local and state agencies
• Participate in evaluation teams and collaborate with counselors, administrators, parents, and community partners
• Attend faculty and district meetings; contribute actively to school culture and staff development

General Tasks & Expectations

• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and other meetings as required. 
• Maintain a professional relationship with all colleagues, students, parents, and community members.  
• Participate in the district staff development program.  
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.  
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board policy.
• Ensures full attendance on all contracted work days as outlined in the employment agreement, including arriving on time and remaining for the entire contracted day.
• Be present and actively engaged during the scheduled workdays according to the school’s academic calendar, observing holidays, breaks, and scheduled professional development days as appropriate.
• Arrive on time for all scheduled workdays and meetings, including the beginning of school, lunch breaks, and any special assignments, ensuring minimal disruption to the academic schedule.
• Notify the appropriate school personnel in advance for any anticipated absences, including following district procedures for requesting leave, and provide documentation when necessary.
• In the event of an absence, ensure that appropriate substitute plans are prepared and submitted in accordance with school policy, facilitating a smooth transition for students.
• Other duties as assigned or necessary.

III: Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate:

• Understands the affective and academic needs of gifted learners, including the nuances of perfectionism, asynchronous development, underachievement, and twice-exceptionality
• Is a skilled collaborator and communicator - able to build trust with students, families, teachers, and administrators
• Brings vision and initiative - they don't just maintain a program, they grow it
• Is organized, data-informed, and follows through - managing ALPs, timelines, and compliance with care
• Is genuinely energized by working with high-performing adolescents and helping them discover what they're truly capable of
• Manages oneself (is organized, prepared, and punctual; manages resources; meets deadlines; follows through on commitments; demonstrates appropriate physical appearance relative to job and environmental expectations) in a manner that enhances the image of public education.
• Acts consistently in ways that directly support the missions of the schools and District.
• Develops and maintains rapport and effective relationships with adolescents and adults contacted in carrying out duties and responsibilities by using courtesy, diplomacy, collaboration, cooperation, support, and professional conduct;
• Maintains high ethical standards, legal responsibility, and confidentiality.

IV: Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Possess or be eligible to obtain a Colorado Teaching License within the first 3 months of hire

V. Preferred Qualifications

• Endorsement in Gifted Education preferred 
• Experience working with gifted, advanced, or high-achieving students at the middle school level preferred

VI: Work Environment

• Office environment. exposure to computer screens
• Mostly clean and comfortable surroundings

VII: Essential Physical Requirements

• To perform the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, or hear.
• Lifting up to 30 pounds may be required on an occasional basis. 
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required of this job include close vision and distance. 

VII: Acknowledgement

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The successful candidate will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.