Associate Director Upper School - Ricks Center for Gifted Children
University of Denver

Job Info

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About the University of Denver

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

About Ricks Center for Gifted Children

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 an innovative 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, integrated curriculum, and a focus on community, care, and engagement.

Position Summary

The Upper School Associate Director is a transformational and innovative pedagogical leader, responsible for the overall functioning of the Upper School division, consisting of grades 3-8. Leadership foci include curriculum and assessment, teacher supervision, parent/family outreach, student behavior. The Upper School Associate Director is a member of the Educational Leadership Team, coordinating all school efforts under the direction of the Director.

Essential Functions

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

• Support an innovative approach to curriculum, instruction, and assessment, drawing on practices best suited to gifted students.
• Lead curriculum review, adoption, revision according to the curriculum review cycle, using Atlas Rubicon for documentation and alignment work, analyzing standards for vertical and horizontal alignment.
• Ensure curriculum and approaches reflect and support multiple forms of diversity and are responsive to a diverse learning community.
• Plan, develop, and expand student service-learning programming, ensuring sustainable service opportunities that are embedded into the curriculum.
• Plan and oversee grades 5/6 and 7/8 Week Without Walls trip programming.
• Develop and execute electives programming, including arranging and monitoring mentorships / passion pursuits for grades 7 & 8, and liaising with DU faculty, staff, and students to develop unique opportunities for students.
• MAP testing administration, data analysis, teacher support.
• Oversee grading and reporting through the Student Information System, and alignment in communication through the Learning Management System

Hiring, Support, and Evaluation

• Supervise, evaluate, and support the growth of teachers grades 3-8 and Connections (specialists), working from a growth model and aligning practices with the Lower School Associate Director.
• Assist in hiring teachers, including screening resumes, running interviews, creating opportunities for parent involvement, and attending sample lessons.
• Support teaching teams in resolving identified problems of practice using a collaborative inquiry-action approach, and data-based student growth outcomes.
• Model and facilitate collaborative walkthrough and observation practices, involving teachers in site-based professional development through sharing of best practices.
• Conduct performance reviews that align the teacher supervision protocol with the DU merit system.
• Place and oversee student teachers, practicum students, and interns in the division.
• Assist in hiring and supervising substitute teachers, student workers, and work study employees.
• Work with the leadership team to determine professional development opportunities, approve individual requests, and create ample opportunities for job-based PD through sharing of best practices.

Administrative Functions

• Support strategic plan efforts and accreditation work, both individually and as a leader of teams of teachers and/or parents as needed, keeping the school mission at the forefront of decision-making.
• Build sustainable multi-directional connections with DU, drawing on all forms of resources (human, physical, capital) to creating unique programming opportunities.
• Liaise with school parent groups and represent the administration during the Ricks Community Association (RCA) meetings.
• Liaise with and/or lead teacher committees focused on specific school improvement effort.
• Plan and attend special events, including evening events such as Socials, Back to School Night, concerts, and sports events.
• Manage divisional budget, including ordering and approval of P-Card purchases.
• Assist teachers and with arranging field trips, buses, and special events.
• Manage assemblies for upper school, including scheduling, communicating, and ensuring strong audience skills/participation.
• Create and manage duty schedules, and maintain a visible presence during drop off/pick up, recesses, lunches, and transitions.
• Participate in reviewing school applicants, assist in school admissions tours, and participate in prospective parent interviews.

Student and Family Support

• Manage divisional discipline issues that arise, following the Ricks discipline policy and procedures; employ language used in SEL curriculum and restorative approaches when possible.
• Monitor student attendance, calling family meetings as needed when issues arise.
• Attend conferences and meetings to support families and teachers, including all divisional Student Support meetings.
• Take a proactive approach in contacting families, contacting newly enrolled families and checking in with all others on a rotational basis.
• Develop divisional informational workshops for parents to market the school program and approach, including HS Fair for grades 7 & 8.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge , Skills, and Abilities

• Innovative, collaborative leader who inspires and empowers others
• Self-directed and able to balance multiple demands and prioritize accordingly
• Welcoming and responsive to staff, students, and families
• Well-versed in research-informed best practices in education
• Committed to building a diverse community of learners

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, or related field
• Experience in school administration
• Administrative license or willingness to work toward administrative license

Preferred Qualifications

• Endorsement or experience in Gifted Education

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

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 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $63,000-$73,000.

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. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans 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; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; 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; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement.

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

Advertised: June 21, 2022
Applications close:

This job has expired.