K-8 Gifted Specialist

Title: Part-Time K-8th Gifted Specialist

Position Summary

The K–8 Gifted Specialist serves students with advanced academic abilities by providing enrichment, differentiated learning opportunities, and support for teachers in meeting the needs of gifted learners. This part-time position works collaboratively with classroom teachers, administrators, students, and families to identify and nurture student gifts while integrating a biblical worldview and supporting the mission of Christian education.

REPORTS TO: The Principal

Student Programming & Support

• Identify and support gifted and high-achieving students in grades K–8.
• Provide enrichment instruction through pull-out classes, small groups, or push-in support models.
• Design learning experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and independent inquiry.
• Monitor student growth and adjust programming based on academic and social-emotional needs.
• Encourage students to develop their God-given talents for service and excellence.

Teacher Collaboration & Coaching

• Partner with classroom teachers to differentiate instruction for advanced learners.
• Provide strategies, resources, and consultation for curriculum compacting, enrichment, and acceleration when appropriate.
• Assist teachers in recognizing characteristics and needs of gifted learners.
• Support teachers in creating challenging and engaging classroom opportunities.

Identification & Assessment

• Assist in the development and implementation of procedures for identifying gifted learners.
• Review achievement data, classroom performance, teacher recommendations, and other relevant indicators.
• Help maintain records related to gifted services and student progress.
• Participate in meetings regarding student placement and support plans.

Program Development

• Help develop and refine a K–8 gifted education program aligned with school goals.
• Recommend curriculum resources, competitions, clubs, and enrichment opportunities.
• Coordinate special projects such as STEM activities, academic contests, leadership opportunities, or capstone projects.

Christian Mission & School Culture

• Model Christian character, servant leadership, and professionalism.
• Integrate biblical truth and faith perspectives into instruction where appropriate.
• Support the school’s mission, statement of faith, and Christ-centered culture.
• Encourage humility, stewardship, perseverance, and service in gifted learners.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate regularly with parents regarding student progress and opportunities.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, teachers, and support staff.
• Participate in faculty meetings and school events as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Personal commitment to Jesus Christ and agreement with the school’s statement of faith.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Gifted Education, Psychology, or related field.
• Valid teaching certification or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Experience teaching elementary or middle school students.
• Knowledge of characteristics and instructional needs of gifted learners.
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills.

Preferred

• Gifted endorsement, certification, or graduate coursework in gifted education.
• Experience coordinating enrichment or advanced learner programs.
• Experience in Christian education.
• Familiarity with social-emotional needs of gifted students.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout classrooms and campus.
• Ability to lift instructional materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to supervise students in classroom and group settings.

Compensation

Hourly pay or stipend commensurate with education, experience, and school compensation plan.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

(The following are the essential fundamentals to include but not limited to the following:

• Maintains an instructional atmosphere that is conducive to a high quality educational program.
• Utilizes a variety of instructional strategies to accommodate individual differences.
• Provides feedback which includes constructive criticism that motivates students.
• Has high expectations for daily and long-term student achievement.
• Organizes and arranges the classroom so as to facilitate learning and minimize student disruption.
• Sets limits of student behavior which are defined, communicated, and monitored.
• Keeps up with current developments, research, and literature in his/her teaching field and the field of education.
• Keeps parents and students informed of each student’s academic progress.
• Teaches in full compliance with curricular requirements of the State and of the Board.
• Complies with Calvary Christian School Policies and Administrative Regulations at the school level.
• Participates on an appointive, elective, or volunteer basis in the curriculum development process at the building and district levels, as is required to periodically review all curricular areas to keep them up-to-date.
• Plans for the health, safety, and physical well-being of students during instruction.
• Supervises, classifies, evaluates and guides students.
• Utilizes community resources for the enrichment of the educational program.
• Assists in maintaining good school-community relations.
• Is responsible for student safety education and accident prevention.
• Report all unsafe conditions to the school principal promptly.
• Report all accidents or injuries to the principal as soon as possible.
• Supervises and intervenes to regulate student behavior so as to alleviate the risk that inappropriate behaviors will place students or staff at risk of harm.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Part-Time, School-Year Position (Hours and schedule determined by school needs)

Compensation based on experience and credentials

EVALUATION:

Each employee in contractual continuing service shall be evaluated at least once every two (2) years. Each employee not in continuing contractual service shall be evaluated once every year.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Handle work which deals mostly with people, objects, equipment in a general setting; depth perception and field of vision are important. Employee is required to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, pull, push, climb, and kneel; walking and standing approximately 50-75% of each shift. Employee must recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; ability to differentiate tones and volumes in conversation.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

The K-8 Gifted Specialist must ensure that children are supervised at all times, and that children are involved in safe and appropriate activities. There may be a number of situations happening at once, and the K-8 Gifted Specialist must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The K-8 Gifted Specialist will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once: however, the K-8 Gifted Specialist will provide continuous supervision at all times.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Ability to Commute:

• South Holland, IL 60473 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person