MCA Specialty Teacher

Montrose Classical Academy

FOUNDING SPECIALTY TEACHER

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. – Martin Luther King Jr.

OVERVIEW & WHO WE ARE

Montrose Classical Academy (MCA) stands at a pivotal moment. In Fall 2026, we'll open our doors to our founding school of K-5 students, growing to serve 440 K-8 students by 2030. But this isn't just about numbers; it's about transformation. We're building a school where:

For Our Students:

• Every child discovers their unique brilliance
• Academic excellence meets joyful learning
• Curiosity and confidence flourish daily

For Our Families:

• Every family is a valued partner
• Parents help shape our community's future

For Our Teachers:

• Teaching means focusing on students, not paperwork
• Work-life balance isn't just a phrase - it's our promise
• Support systems free teachers to teach
• Professional growth fits within the workday

For Our Community:

• Diverse perspectives enrich learning
• Strong relationships build lasting impact
• Together, we create tomorrow's leaders

This is your chance to build more than a school. It's an opportunity to create a transformative community that will impact generations of students in Montrose County.

POSITION DETAILS

• MCA is seeking a passionate, skilled Specialty Teacher in one of the following areas:
• Physical Education (SPARK PE curriculum)
• Art
• Music (Kodály-based instruction)
• Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
• Work Schedule: 180 calendar days per school year (approximately August–June), per the MCA school calendar
• Work Location: Montrose Classical Academy, Montrose, Colorado
• Work Setting: In-person only. This is not a remote or hybrid position. All duties are performed on-site at MCA's school facility.
• Reports To: School Leader (Principal)

Start Date: August 2026

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a founding specialty teacher at MCA, you will deliver rigorous, content-rich instruction. Working alongside a trained paraprofessional and in close collaboration with your colleagues, you will shape the academic and character development of every student in your care.

Instructional Excellence

• Deliver joyful, rigorous and engaging instruction aligned with your specialty area:
• For Music: Implement Kodály-based sequential music instruction
• For PE: Implement the SPARK Physical Education curriculum
• For Art: Design and deliver a content-rich arts curriculum aligned with the Core Knowledge Sequence
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners, including advanced students, English language learners, and students with IEPs or 504 plans
• Design and administer formative and summative assessments; use data to drive instructional decisions
• Maintain accurate and timely grade records and student progress documentation

Classroom Culture

• Foster a joyful, achievement-oriented learning environment
• Develop character education and student support programs
• Create traditions that celebrate learning and growth
• Build strong classroom management systems
• Implement consistent, positive classroom management aligned with school-wide behavioral expectations
• Build strong, respectful relationships with every student

Collaboration and Professional Growth

• Participate actively in collaborative planning, professional learning communities (PLCs), and meetings
• Engage in regular instructional coaching and feedback cycles with the School Leader (Principal)
• Attend and contribute to all required professional development, including summer training
• Collaborate with paraprofessionals, special education staff, and support personnel to serve all students

Student Support

• Create enrichment opportunities for advanced learners
• Execute effective special education programs
• Ensure English language learner support
• Execute social-emotional learning programs
• Execute intervention systems for students

Family Partnership

• Communicate regularly and proactively with families about student progress, strengths, and areas for growth
• Respond to parent communications in a timely and appropriate manner
• Participate in school-wide family engagement events
• Build trusting, respectful relationships with the families of your students

School Community

• Contribute to a joyful, rigorous, and mission-aligned school culture
• Adhere to all MCA policies, the Employee Handbook, and the Charter Contract with the Montrose County School District (MCSD)
• Set the standard for educational excellence in Montrose County

WHO YOU ARE

A Skilled and Passionate Educator

• You know your content deeply and teach it with clarity, joy and rigor
• You understand how children learn and adapt your instruction accordingly
• You use assessment data to continuously improve your teaching
• You are committed to your own professional growth

A Culture Builder

• You create environments where joy and rigor coexist
• You establish clear expectations with consistent support
• You create classrooms where students feel safe, challenged, and inspired

A Student Champion

• You believe in every child's potential
• You ensure support for diverse learning needs
• You create paths for every student to succeed
• You balance high expectations with necessary support

A Family Partner

• You see parents as essential partners in education
• You create welcoming spaces for family engagement
• You communicate clearly and consistently
• You build trust through transparency and results

A Collaborative Colleague

• You give and receive feedback graciously
• You contribute to a team culture of continuous improvement
• You share your best ideas and learn from others

WHAT YOU BRING

Required Qualifications

• Valid Colorado Educator License (or ability to obtain) with appropriate endorsement(s) for the grade level and subject area
• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field (Master's preferred)
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and student achievement
• Strong classroom management skills and ability to build positive student relationships
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment

Preferred Experience

• CLD endorsement or bilingual abilities (Spanish/English)
• Experience teaching PE, Art, or Music at the elementary level (K–5 strongly preferred)
• For Music: Familiarity with Kodály methodology or willingness to pursue training
• For PE: Experience with SPARK PE or similar research-based PE programs
• For Art: Experience integrating visual arts with content-rich or knowledge-building curricula
• Special education credentials or experience supporting students with diverse learning needs
• Experience working with English language learners
• Experience with the Core Knowledge Sequence, Singapore Math, or structured literacy/Science of Reading
• Experience in a classical, content-rich, or knowledge-building school model
• Demonstrated use of data to drive instructional decisions

As a founding teacher, you'll have the rare opportunity to shape not just a school, but a legacy. You'll co-create with a founding team united by a powerful vision of what education can be. Your impact will extend far beyond your tenure, touching generations of students who will walk through our halls.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary:$50,000-$60,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Following the interview process, MCA will work with selected candidates to determine appropriate placement within the range based on verified years of teaching experience and relevant qualifications.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (for full-time employees)
• PERA retirement benefits (Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association)
• Participation in FAMLI (paid family and medical leave)
• Paid sick leave per the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
• Professional development support, including specialty-specific training
• Instructional coaching and mentorship
• Performance bonus opportunity

TO APPLY

• Submit the following on really:
• Detailed resume highlighting your teaching experience and student impact
• At least three professional references (including at least one current or former supervisor)
• One-Way Video Interview via Spark Hire: Following submission of your really application, you will automatically receive an email with instructions to complete a brief one-way video interview through Spark Hire. You will be asked to respond to a single question on video at your convenience. This step is required for your application to be considered complete. Please check your really messages for your Spark Hire invitation after submitting on really.
• Our Selection Process:
• Application review (really and Spark Hire)
• In-person interviews with Leadership Team
• Offer Letter

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Montrose Classical Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, natural hair texture or protective hairstyle, or any other legally protected characteristic. MCA complies with all applicable federal and Colorado state employment laws, including the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), the Colorado CROWN Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) STATEMENT

Montrose Classical Academy will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act, and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000gg). Applicants or employees who require an accommodation should contact the School Leader or HR designee to initiate the interactive accommodation process.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

As required by Colorado law for school employees, employment is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (CBI and FBI fingerprint check), as required by C.R.S. § 22-32-109.7 and § 22-32-109.8
• Verification of legal right to work in the United States (Form I-9 / E-Verify)
• Clearance through Colorado Department of Education screening
• Verification of educator licensure, qualifications, and work history

COLORADO’S EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT NOTICE

Salary Range: $50,000–$60,000 annually. Placement within the salary range is determined based on verified years of relevant teaching experience and qualifications, and will be confirmed at the time of offer.

Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, PERA retirement benefits, Colorado FAMLI (paid family and medical leave) participation, paid sick leave per the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), professional development support, instructional coaching, performance bonus opportunity.

In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (C.R.S. § 8-5-101 et seq.), MCA includes compensation and benefits information in all job postings for positions to be performed in Colorado.

IMPORTANT EMPLOYMENT NOTICES

At-Will Employment: Employment at Montrose Classical Academy is at-will. Either the employee or Montrose Classical Academy may end the employment relationship at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without cause or advance notice.

In-Person Position: This position requires full-time, in-person attendance at Montrose Classical Academy’s school facility in Montrose, Colorado. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for this role.

Work Schedule: This is a 180 calendar-day position. The work schedule follows the Montrose Classical Academy school calendar (approximately August–June). Employees are not paid during summer break or scheduled school breaks unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.

FLSA Status: This position is classified as Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Colorado COMPS Order #40. Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime pay.

Mandatory Reporting: All Montrose Classical Academy employees are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect under C.R.S. § 19-3-304. Failure to report is a criminal offense under Colorado law.

PERA Enrollment: As a Colorado public school employee, this position is subject to mandatory PERA enrollment and contribution requirements under C.R.S. § 24-51-401 et seq.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• MCA uses specific, structured programs in our specialty areas: Kodály-based music instruction, SPARK Physical Education, and a Core Knowledge-aligned art curriculum. Describe your experience teaching within a structured or prescribed curriculum framework. How do you implement it with fidelity while still making lessons engaging and responsive to your students' needs?
• Describe your experience working with students who have diverse learning needs - including English Language Learners, students with IEPs or 504 plans, or students from Title 1 backgrounds - in a specialty class setting. What specific strategies or accommodations have you used to keep all students engaged and growing in your subject area?
• Specialty teachers at MCA are full members of the instructional team, not isolated from the core academic program. Describe your experience collaborating with classroom teachers, participating in PLCs or co-planning, or integrating your subject area with broader academic content. How do you contribute to a school's culture and mission beyond your own classroom or studio?

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000