Kindergarten Teacher
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School
NOW HIRING for 2023-2024
Kindergarten Crew Leader (Classroom Teacher)
Do you crave a diverse learning environment in the city center, made up of a crew that believes in deeper learning, provides coaching and robust professional development for teachers, and takes the learning out of the classroom and into the real world?
The Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) is a K-5 public charter school in the portfolio of Denver Public Schools. DDES was founded by a group of parents, community members, and business leaders seeking a high-performing EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school to serve a diverse range of families who live, work, or learn in downtown Denver. DDES is grounded in the EL core values in order to challenge students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement in school.
Our Approach
The city is our campus
Students interact with their community through fieldwork and service-learning
Students are able to connect their learning to real-world issues and needs
We invite experts from our surrounding community to deepen instruction
Students are leaders of their own learning:
Students grapple with real-world problems through multi-subject learning expeditions
Students produce high-quality work and present their work to authentic audiences
Students regularly engage in cycles of reflection culminating in Student-Led conferences
We educate the Whole Child
Social-emotional learning and character development are core components of our curriculum
Daily Crew block and closing circle promote meaningful relationships with peers and teachers
Adventure trips for all grade levels (2-3/year)
Robust Movement and Art programs
In-house after-school program with no enrollment caps & financial assistance
We provide the support students need:
Focus on small classes with additional adult support
Impactful intervention and special education teams
Two full-time mental health professionals (psychologist and social worker)
Auggie the therapy dog onsite each week
Diverse by Design & Anti-Racist practices
Enrollment priorities are focused on DDES becoming a fully integrated K-5 public school, both racially and socio-economically
Culturally responsive curriculum which intentionally includes traditionally marginalized perspectives
Long-term partnerships with BIPOC professionals to provide expertise within Learning Expedition Units of Study
Recruitment strategies aimed at diversifying educators to reflect our student population
“Grow your own” teacher-assistant to teacher pipeline program which aims to train, develop and promote BIPOC educators from within DDES.
Our Culture
Compensation & Benefits
Innovative and competitive compensation model
Multiple pathways to salary increases, not solely based on advanced degrees.
Step and lane system that rewards dedication, commitment, and mastery of knowledge/skills
Stipended school leadership opportunities ( instructional, operational, and community-based).
Comprehensive medical and dental plan, 100% paid by DDES
PERA retirement plan with employer contributions.
Short Term Disability, 100% paid for by DDES (long-term optional)
Paid parking and/or commuter cost are 100% paid for by DDES
10 days paid time off available immediately & 25 days paid vacation/holiday during the school year
Flexible Savings Account option for medical and childcare coverage
Vision care & PERA 401k option, PERA life option
Free on-site aftercare if your child attends DDES.
Professional Growth & Development
Two-week PD summer institute
Early release Fridays for weekly PD
Weekly individual goal-oriented peer coaching
Autonomy in lesson design and planning
Pathways to leadership development
Opportunities for outside PD, including with EL Education
Restorative practices training and modeling
Neurosequential Model in Education training
Culturally Responsive Classroom training
Teacher Support
Highly trained and experienced Teaching Assistants
In-house guest teachers
Guided curriculum and instruction available
60-minute daily planning periods
No-contact teacher planning days (4/yr)
Teacher budget for classroom beautification, experts & fieldwork ($1000 total)
Intervention team (SpEd, Mental Health, Literacy & Math)
Accolades & regular celebrations of success
Other perks
Staff celebrations (paid for by DDES) & accolades
Lounge stocked with snacks, coffee & treats year-round
Appreciation breakfasts, lunches & dinners
Regular staff outings and self-care initiatives
High-quality staff swag
Macbooks for all staff
Ready to join our Crew?
Here at DDES, we don’t just accept differences — we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our employees, our students, and our community. DDES seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support the retention and advancement of black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within the organization. DDES is inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other non-merit fact so that all employees feel included, equally valued, and supported.
Position Overview
The Crew Leader is a professional who provides rigorous literacy and math instruction to all students using developmentally appropriate curriculums aligned with Common Core Standards. In addition to academic instruction, the Crew Leader is responsible for building strong relationships and providing daily social-emotional instruction using a school-wide “Crew” curriculum based on the CASEL competencies. Responsibilities include internalizing larger units and daily lesson plans, participating in regular data team meetings, responding to student needs based on data, actively participating in weekly coaching and professional development, and engaging in restorative discipline practices.
Ideal candidates
A commitment to and thirst for continuously improving teaching and school culture through rigorous coaching, professional development, and inquiry
A professional with strong evidence of implementing effective instructional practices that increase student learning and growth
Proven ability to contribute to a high-performing team, along with the ability to have open and honest conversations
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work and creating a culturally responsive classroom
A passion for deeper learning that aligns with the core principles of EL Education
The ability to build strong relationships with your students and center family engagement in your practice
Experience teaching in an early childhood school setting (Pre-K through 1st grade)
As part of a team, you will:
Develop, document, and evaluate curriculum aligned with DDES learning expeditions and curriculum maps
Maintain effective instructional practices utilized to make learning come alive, ensure that all students participate, and use data to modify instruction to ensure differentiated learning
Commit to character education fostered through challenging academic work, service, and whole-child learning
Work with our Adventure Director to schedule, plan, and attend 1 camping trip and 1-day trip per year
Effectively supervise support staff to improve instruction, character development, and crew culture for all students
Necessary qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (or higher)
Experience working with primary learners (ECE-1st Grade)
Colorado Teacher Certification/Licensure or out-of-state Certification/Licensure while in the process of obtaining Colorado certification.
Ability to pass state, federal, and Facility Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) criminal background checks
Does it sound like a fit?
DDES engages in a recruiting process that involves initial and secondary phone interviews, in-person interviews, demonstration lessons, group interviews, and background and reference checks.
To initiate the process, please submit a DDES General Application, and we will be in touch soon.
You will need the following in order to complete the application:
Updated resume
If available, a 15-minute video of a class lesson, which should include a portion of you leading whole-class instruction.
Video of the class lesson is not a requirement but helps us understand your teaching style.
30 minutes to answer long-form questions
Education requirement
Bachelors Degree
Experience requirement
3-5 years
How to apply
Does it sound like a fit?
DDES engages in a recruiting process that involves initial and secondary phone interviews, in-person interviews, demonstration lessons, group interviews, and background and reference checks.
To initiate the process, please submit a DDES General Application, and we will be in touch soon.
You will need the following in order to complete the application:
Updated resume
If available, a 15-minute video of a class lesson, which should include a portion of you leading whole-class instruction.
Video of the class lesson is not a requirement but helps us understand your teaching style.
30 minutes to answer long-form questions