Upper Elementary Teacher

DEPARTMENT: Elementary

REPORTS TO: Elementary Principal

COORDINATES WITH: Elementary Principal, Elementary Dean and Instructional Coach, Extend Team, Grade-level teaching partners

WORK HOURS: M-F 7:45 - 3:45, occasional evenings for events, including Christmas and Spring Concerts, Parent-Teacher Conferences in Fall and Spring, Parent Preview Nights (typically one/year).

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Elementary Teacher at Denver Christian School is responsible for cultivating a Christ-centered, academically excellent, and nurturing learning environment for students. This role integrates biblical truth into all areas of instruction, supports the whole-child philosophy of education including support of each student’s growth in cognitive, spiritual, social, creative, personal and physical areas of learning.  Elementary teachers partner closely with families and colleagues to support student success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction & Classroom Environment

• Plan and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons aligned with Denver Christian’s curriculum standards and a biblical worldview.  Planning should be done in advance and in partnership with teammates to ensure our students are receiving consistent Denver Christian experiences.  
• Create a safe, organized, and nurturing classroom that reflects Christian values and encourages curiosity, respect, and responsibility.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs and abilities. 
• Plan field trips and other educational experiences that enhance the elementary curriculum.
• Integrate faith authentically and intentionally into daily instruction, classroom routines, and relationships.  

Student Growth & Assessment

• Assess student learning through formative and summative methods; use data to guide instruction.
• Integrates the 6 spheres of whole-child education to reach our expected student outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and communicate growth clearly with families on a regular basis.  Student progress is also shared through report cards at the end of each semester, and Parent Teacher Conferences in the fall and the spring.

Faith & Community

• Model Christ-like character in speech, actions, and relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Participate in chapel, prayer, devotions, and other spiritual life activities of the school.  Elementary homeroom teachers lead one chapel per year with their homeroom students.
• Participate in community activities that support the vision of Denver Christian School.

Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with grade-level teams, specialists, and administration to support student learning and school initiatives.
• Participate in professional development, faculty meetings, and school events.
• Uphold school policies, procedures, and the mission, vision, and statement of faith.

MISSION VALUES & ALIGNMENT

• All employees are expected to support the school’s Christian mission and model professionalism consistent with community standards. Participation in school events, devotionals, and staff culture-building practices is expected.
• Denver Christian is committed to cultivating a world-class staff culture grounded in our call to love God and love our neighbors (Mark 12:30–31). All employees are expected to model our core values in their daily work and interactions:
  • Solution-Oriented – We support one another by approaching challenges with a constructive mindset and using the gifts and abilities God has given us to contribute meaningfully.
  • Relationally-Focused – We recognize that the success and well-being of our colleagues matter as much as our own, and we invest in relationships that strengthen our community.
  • Creatively-Inspired – We seek God’s wisdom and pursue fresh ideas, improved processes, and innovative solutions whenever opportunities arise.
  • Effort-Enthused – We seek to honor God through diligent, wholehearted work, showing integrity and enthusiasm in all tasks and responsibilities across the school.

BENEFITS

• Retirement Savings Account with DC contribution
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Continuation of Coverage Under Group Health and Dental Plans (COBRA)
• Life Insurance
• Paid family leave under Colorado FAMLI Leave
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance Offering

ADDITIONAL PERKS

• A collaborative, invigorating environment that supports professional and personal growth
• Paid professional development, including continuing education opportunities
• Discounts for the children of faculty and staff:
  • Tuition discount
  • Enrollment fee discount
  • Inclusion discount
  • Accommodation discount
  • Free childcare in Thunder Club during  professional development/in-service meetings and early-release Fridays. 
  • Free registration for Thunder Club
  • Free bus service, if space is available
  • Discount for clubs and camps leaders, when working 
• One free lunch entree when school is in session
• Discounts at Thunder Grounds Cafe and Surge Cafe

ABOUT DENVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Denver Christian School is an independent, PreK-12 Christian school dedicated to serving students from Christian families across the Denver metro area, including those in early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school. Located on our beautiful Lakewood, CO campus, we have been a cornerstone of Christian education in our city for over a century. 

Partnering with parents and churches, we guide students to flourish in their relationship with Christ. While their journey begins with their families’ faith commitment, our professional faculty walk alongside them, nurturing growth as students own and integrate their faith and learning into their lives.

At Denver Christian, we are committed to developing the whole child. Our core curriculum goes beyond academics, encompassing athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities that engage the mind, body, and heart. Through these rich experiences, we aim to uncover and nurture the God-given gifts and talents within each student.

EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Denver Christian School is a bona fide religious educational institution. As permitted by federal law (Title VII) and Colorado law (CADA), the school considers faith, religious alignment, and adherence to our mission as bona fide occupational qualifications for certain positions.

Except where religious preference is legally allowed, we provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

All employees are expected to support and uphold the school’s Christian mission, values, and community standards

Our school makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. An applicant who does not meet the minimum qualifications of the position(s) for which the applicant applies will not be considered for employment.

REQUIRED  QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field (required).
• Valid teaching license or certification (current or in progress)
• Personal, active faith in Jesus Christ and agreement with the school’s statement of faith.
• Experience teaching elementary-age students preferred.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills
• High proficiency with Google Workspace and student information systems (FACTS or similar) used for attendance, grading, and communication.
• Ability to multitask and show flexibility during our busy days in elementary school
• Commitment to professional and spiritual growth, and active collaboration with colleagues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, and engage actively with students throughout the school day.  This includes outside recess duties, and responsibility to lead students quickly to alternate locations during emergency protocols.

Salary : $48,887 - $89,776