Kindergarten Teacher (Please apply directly to STEM School Highlands Ranch - DO NOT apply directly with DCSD online)

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Job Posting Title:

Kindergarten Teacher (Please apply directly to STEM School Highlands Ranch - DO NOT apply directly with DCSD online)

Job Description:

About Stem School Highlands Ranch

At STEM School Highlands Ranch, we place innovation at the heart of learning to unleash the potential of all students and prepare them for an exponentially changing world. As a K-12 public charter school in the Douglas County School District, we are committed to creating an environment that fosters respect, success, and continuous improvement. We welcome you to join us in our mission to redefine limits and unleash potential.

Position Specific Information (if Applicable):

Our Core Values:

Prioritize Students – Every decision we make is focused on ensuring students thrive, lead, and succeed. The community that surrounds students exists for the purpose of their growth and development.

Build a Strong Community – We are more than a school, we are a community. We all have equal value and seek to encourage each other to maximize our unique strengths, gifts, and passions. The true power of a charter school is in the strength of its community.

Do Right, Always – Honesty, trust, and ethical decision-making guide our actions, fostering respect, accountability, and a safe environment, even in challenging circumstances or when recognition is absent.
Embrace Innovation – Never Stop Innovating. Innovation thrives on continuous growth, bold problem-solving, and a willingness to push boundaries, transforming ideas into meaningful progress.

Take Steady Steps – We play the long game with people and projects by implementing strategic planning, clear communication, systems and process, ample resources, and appropriate pacing - setting a strong foundation for a supportive environment for our community to thrive.

Lead With Care – Dedicated to making a difference through personal ownership, care, and compassion, creates lasting impact in our students, colleagues, and community.

Elevate the Standard – A commitment to continuous growth, where skills are refined, applied, and adapted to achieve the highest standards and empower everyone to reach their fullest potential.

Laugh Together – Having fun makes the team work! Creating an environment where joy is encouraged. Strengthens our teams, fosters a positive culture, and fuels creativity, making everyone feel valued, energized, and motivated to contribute.

Benefits:
STEM School Highlands Ranch offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
● Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance (available on the 1st of the following month).
● Short-term, long-term disability, life, and ADD insurance (available six months from hire date).
● Retirement benefits including PERA pension and 401K employee-only contribution managed through Colorado’s PERA program.
● Other benefits include FSA (medical and dependent care), Pet Insurance, Sick Time, and PTO based on years of service

Position Overview:
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Kindergarten Teacher to join our dynamic team 2026 - 2027 school year. In this role, you will inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning by delivering an engaging curriculum that supports the intellectual and personal development of elementary school students. You will plan and implement school curriculum and problem based
learning experiences that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:
● Instruction and Curriculum Development:
○ Utilize our instructional model of problem-based learning (PBL) to plan and
implement lessons based on state standards.
○ Create and deliver engaging lesson plans using school based curriculum
○ Adapt lesson plans to meet diverse learning needs including interventions and extensions to the curriculum.
● Student Assessment and Support:
○ Ensure the success of all students by continually assessing student progress toward mastery of standards through learning opportunities and demonstrations of knowledge.
○ Provide timely feedback to students and parents and/or guardians to support academic progress and growth.
○ Provide accommodations and modifications for the growth and success of all students.

● Classroom Management:
○ Establish a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
○ Responsible for managing student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing routines and procedures, maintaining discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school, and applying appropriate disciplinary measures where necessary.
○ Promote active participation and maintain discipline in accordance with school policies.

○ Establish and maintain positive communication with parents and/or guardians regarding student’s behavior where appropriate
● Collaboration and Professional Development:
○ Work with colleagues to plan interdisciplinary units and share best practices.
○ Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance teaching
strategies.
○ Communicate effectively with parents, colleagues, and school administration.
○ Collaborate with colleagues with the intent of deepening pedagogical content knowledge, improving teaching practices, and creating problem-based learning opportunities.
Qualifications Required:
● Bachelor’s degree or higher in Elementary Education or a related field from an accredited institution.
● Valid state teaching license or certification.
● Strong knowledge of literacy and mathematical teaching methodologies.
● Colorado READ Act Certification (required for all Colorado licensed teachers; out of state licensed teachers will have one year to complete certification)
● Preferred: Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Google Suite.
Essential Physical Requirements:
● Occasional lifting of 5 to 50 pounds.
● Ability to stand or walk for 90 minutes.
● Ability to run short distances.
● Frequent bending, stooping, walking, standing, kneeling, crawling, squatting, reaching, and sitting.

Schedule:
● Day shift
● Monday to Friday
● School Year: 2026 - 2027
This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: September 30, 2026
#SJ2025
Compensation:
The pay range for this role is $51,914 - $108,643 USD per year.

Interested candidates should apply directly through the STEM School Highlands Ranch at

Responsibilities:

-Serve as an integral part of their school and the school community, performing certain duties including but not limited to student support, counseling students with academic problems and supporting certain extracurricular activities such as social activities, sporting activities, clubs and student organizations, participating in department and school meetings, and parent meetings.

-Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development preparing required reports on students and activities.

-Utilize technology and integrate the use of technology to provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities, instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment, observe, evaluate, encourage and provide feedback on student's performance and development.

-Plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in a learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential.

-Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures, maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school, and applying appropriate disciplinary measures where necessary.

-Utilize new teaching methods and educational tools in an ever changing and strategic environment. You would plan, prepare and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences and establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.

Certifications:

Colorado READ Act designation, which can be acquired via the options described at - Colorado Department of Education, Teaching License - Colorado Department of Education

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (Required)

Skills:

Position Type:

Charter School

Primary Location:

STEM Charter School

One Year Only (Yes or No):

No

Scheduled Hours Per Week:

40

FTE:

1.00

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year:

185 Work Days

• (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate:

$51,914.00 USD Annual

Maximum Hire Rate:

$80,278.50 USD Annual

Full Salary Range:

$51,914.00 USD - $108,643.00 USD Annual

• All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits:

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off Plans:

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past:

September 11, 2026