Creative Writing Teacher - 2026/2027 SY

Danbury Public Schoolsis a diverse community located in the western part of Connecticut and serving more than 12,500 students spread across the City of Danbury, Connecticut. We are committed to cultivating equity and excellence for all of our students, closing the opportunity gaps, and preparing students for post-secondary success. The mission of Danbury Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, is to provide transformational learning experiences, designed to nurture thoughtful and prepared graduates. We have set very ambitious and rigorous goals to assure that our students graduate prepared to transform our world, and we are always searching for staff who are committed to our mission and the success of our students. Our schools range from 13 different and unique elementary schools including an interdistrict magnet school for International Studies, to three middle schools, including an intradistrict magnet school focused on STEM and World Studies, to our flagship Danbury Career Academies that are transforming how we deliver education to students with a wide range of interests taught by a faculty with real world and academic experiences. DPS recruits and commits to educators with passion, who are committed to our vision to aspire to advance ALL learners to their highest potential.

Position Summary

Instruct students in English Language Arts and Creative Writing; help students develop critical reading, writing, communication, and analytical skills that broaden their learning experiences and contribute to their academic and personal growth. The successful candidate will create a student-centered learning environment that fosters creativity, self-expression, and a love of literature and writing. The ideal candidate collaborates effectively in a diverse educational setting, is flexible and dynamic, and is enthusiastic about inspiring young writers and readers.

Responsibilities

• Follow the scope and sequence of the instructional program as defined and approved by the Danbury Board of Education.
• Set and reinforce clear expectations and routines.
• Manage classroom and individual student behavior to maintain a positive and productive learning environment.
• Prepare lesson plans that achieve clear objectives, utilize appropriate instructional techniques, and meet the needs of all learners.
• Demonstrate strong content knowledge in English Language Arts and Creative Writing.
• Foster students' creative expression through a variety of writing genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic writing.
• Maintain accurate and complete records as required.
• Conduct parent/teacher conferences.
• Assess student learning on a continual basis and identify areas requiring intervention.
• Keep parents informed of student progress through interim reports, report cards, conferences, and ongoing communication.
• Design instruction to meet the needs of all students through both individual and small-group settings as needed.
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress and use assessment data to refine curriculum and instructional practices.
• Design clear and specific learning objectives and assessments.
• Maintain a positive learning environment that encourages open communication between teacher and students.
• Maintain a positive school community image that encourages ethical student behavior.
• Assist in the selection of textbooks, instructional materials, and other educational resources.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Participate in professional learning by attending seminars and workshops to improve instructional practice and positively impact student achievement.
• Integrate technology and digital literacy into instruction to enhance student engagement and learning.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills

• Experience working with adolescent students in a diverse school setting.
• Experience with team teaching in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Effective active listening skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and families.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Prior teaching experience preferred.
• Knowledge of current best practices in literacy instruction, writing workshop models, and differentiated instruction.
  
  

Qualifications

• Active Connecticut certification in English Language Arts (015) or appropriate Connecticut State Department of Education certification required.
• Creative Writing experience and/or coursework preferred.
• Knowledge and skills generally acquired through a Bachelor's Degree in Education, English, Creative Writing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a multicultural educational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to teach high school English Language Arts courses. Experience with team teaching and urban education preferred.
• Strong human relations skills to work effectively with students, parents, administrators, and staff.
• Knowledge of teaching methods, instructional materials, and educational practices applicable to secondary English Language Arts instruction.
• Ability to prepare effective instructional plans and assessments.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and/or Danbury Board of Education may find appropriate.
  
  

Salary: Salary and wages are paid in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between NEA Danbury and the Danbury Board of Education which can be found on our website.