Job description

High School U.S. History Teacher- US Government and Economics (James Irwin Charter High School)

Do you want to change students’ lives through teaching and work alongside an incredible faculty and staff? Are you looking to develop the character and academic potential of students? James Irwin Charter High School is currently seeking a full-time history teacher for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. The successful candidate will have a 7-period day with five history classes, one study hall, and one planning period.

Here are some of the awards James Irwin Charter High School has received:

• College Board's AP Honor Roll, AP Access Award, and AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
• Winner of the John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award (2002, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2010-2011, 2014, 2016)
• Gold Medal for being in the top 500 high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2013-2016)
• Top 27th high school in Colorado _U.S. News & World Report _(2024)
• America’s Most Challenging High Schools by The Washington Post (2011-2016)
• Best of the Springs Reader’s Choice Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards by The Gazette (2013, 2016-2021)

While we do not rest on our awards or accolades, we are always looking for ways to improve the program for our students. We do this by looking for energetic, solution-based teachers with positive attitudes who want to join us in our mission to provide the best college-preparatory education by developing character and academic potential in every student. Our school culture is one of the most encouraging, collaborative places you will find.

Candidates who are selected to interview may be asked to attend a brief meet and greet with the administration. If selected to continue the process, candidates may be asked to return for a more comprehensive interview and teach a sample lesson to students, faculty and/or administration.

The successful candidate should…

• Have advanced knowledge and mastery of history from antiquity to modern day;
• Be willing to demonstrate writing mastery by completing an essay, grading a sample essay, and teaching a sample lesson;
• Become familiar with and commit to using the Active Participation or Explicit Instruction methodology by Dr. Anita Archer;
• Be willing to work with a team of faculty who provide consistent teaching methods and assessments throughout all classes at JICHS;
• Integrate character into lessons as appropriate and always exhibit the highest character traits, especially in the company of students and colleagues;
• Be willing to accept and implement feedback on performance via teacher coaching, video recording, and informal and formal evaluations; and,
• Be committed to always doing what is best for the students.

The successful candidate should also be prepared to…

• Maintain detailed, accurate and up-to-date student records;
• Actively monitor a study hall as assigned;
• Serve as a House Sponsor to mentor and guide students;
• Perform other occasional duties, as assigned (e.g., after-school detention, chaperone Homecoming and Prom); and,
• Volunteer from time to time to chaperone student activities (e.g. dances, games).

The successful candidate should possess the following skills and abilities:

• Support James Irwin Charter Schools’ mission and vision;
• Support and follow all JICS policies and procedures;
• Courage to enforce student dress code and behavior expectations;
• Self-advocating, quick learner;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent office administration skills, including written and oral communications skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, students and parents;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook);
• Proficiency with Internet web browsing and research;
• Excellent in time management;
• Dress modestly and appropriately for a professional, academic environment;
• Able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor under pressure and in meeting deadlines; and,
• Positive, solution-based attitude.

Minimum Work Experience and Education: JICHS follows the Colorado Department of Education State ESSA plan requirements for In-Field qualifyingstandards* in hiring teachers of core subjects. Therefore, the successful candidate needs to hold at least one of the following in the subject area in which they have been assigned to teach in order to be considered In-Field :

• Endorsement on a Colorado teaching license; or,
• Degree (B.A. or higher); or,
• 36 semester credit hours; or,
• Passing score on a State Board of Education approved content exam (currently the ETS Praxis Series).

*www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/NCLB/index.asp

Position Summary: A JICHS faculty member has a multi-faceted job: he or she is responsible for planning the curriculum, independently teaching several sections of history courses (sometimes to include honors sections, as well), and assessing student growth and progress through a variety of standards.

JICHS teachers are also required to keep in regular contact with parents/guardians of students who are not mastering the material, and supporting students individually as much as possible.

JICHS teachers are required to have a minimum of two grades entered into Infinite Campus each week. They also create their own lesson plans weekly and post these plans for approval from the department head. There are many resources available to the teacher for the creation of the lessons, and collaboration between teachers and departments is encouraged.

Teachers at JICHS aim for being data-oriented and aware of student performance in general, especially on standardized tests. Teachers do this through bi-weekly grade book annotations. Teachers are also responsible for creating and administering quarterly assessments (mid-terms and finals) in addition to the unit assessments, to ensure student mastery and to keep the curriculum and standards as consistent as possible from year to year.

All JICHS teachers share several extra responsibilities including monitoring detention on occasion, chaperoning Homecoming and Prom dances, proctoring study halls and/or labs. These responsibilities are assigned during pre-service training and maintained throughout the academic year.

This may be the career move you've been looking for if you:

• Are energetic, flexible, positive and solution-minded;
• Enjoy working hard for student success;
• Love mentoring, teaching, and being around high school age students;
• Appreciate being coached for excellence in teaching; and,
• Want to be part of one of the best faculties and work environments in the nation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Teaching Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person