Japanese Instructor

Japanese Instructor Position

Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary school serving the needs of gifted children since 1984. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 75 students ranging from three years of age through middle school, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning needs.

Located on the campus of the University of Denver, the Ricks Center offers a progressive model of education focused on developing the intellectual, social, emotional, creative and physical needs of the gifted child. Our diverse student body benefits from small class size, expert teachers, a wide range of content offerings, cutting edge instructional practices, integrated curriculum, and a focus on community, care and engagement.

The Ricks Center invites applications for one or more non-benefited teachers to support us in our final year.

Position Summary The Japanese instructor will teach elementary students Japanese with some planning time and duty, Monday – Friday between 8:15 am – 12:00 pm on full-day student contact days during the 2026-2027 school year, September 14, 2026 – June 1, 2027. (2026-2027 Ricks School Calendar)

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year.

Essential Functions

• Teach two sections of elementary Japanese including lesson planning, instruction, and assessment, Grades 3 – 6.
• Maintain classroom order and safety.
• Communicate with families and collaborate with colleagues.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good classroom management, for students ages 8 - 12.
• Highly reliable and consistent with attendance and performance.

Required Qualifications

• Experience teaching Japanese.
• Must be proficient with software and devices that support instruction

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in the Japanese language and a teaching license.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

• The Japanese instructor will teach elementary students Japanese with some planning time, Monday – Friday between 8:15 am – 12:00 pm on full-day student contact days during the 2026-2027 school year, September 14, 2026 – June 1, 2027. (2026-2027 Ricks School Calendar)
• Potentially, approximately 10-18 hours a week during the school year, based on 3.75 hours a day during full-day student contact days.
• View the 2026-2027 Ricks School Calendar:
• This position will be about 300 – 500 hours for the entire 2026-2027 school year.
• For employees in a non-benefitted position(s) at DU, there is a hard limit of 1000 hours worked in 2026 and 1000 hours worked in 2027 (No more than 2000 hours from September 14, 2026 – June 1, 2027). This includes serving as a substitute teacher at Ricks or other non-benefitted work at the University of Denver.

Hourly Rate

The hourly rate for this position is $20.00-$25.50.

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidates' sex or any other protected status.

The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application: 1. Resume

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.