Denver Language School (DLS) is a public, tuition-free language immersion charter school located in East Denver. DLS provides an innovative academic program to reach the highest levels of student achievement through comprehensive language immersion education in French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. DLS offers traditional learning activities in the target language, making the language both the medium and the object of instruction.

6th/7th Grade English Teacher

Gilpin Campus

2949 California St. Denver, CO 80205

$57,120 to $63,036 1.0 FTE

189 Days Annually

Overview of position:

The 6th/7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher supports the academic growth of students through the implementation of DLS pedagogy, comprehensive classroom management, implementing effective engagement strategies, and building authentic teacher/student relationships. This role is responsible for effective instruction and management of a classroom of middle-schoolers.

The 6th/7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher works closely with campus principals, instructional leaders, parents/families, and students to ensure measurable positive student outcomes.

This vacancy will be posted until 04/22/2026 or until filled by a highly qualified candidate. We encourage individuals to apply even if the above date has passed.

The anticipated start date for this position is 08/04/2026.

The selected candidate will report to the Gilpin Middle School Principal.

Pay and Benefits:

• Employees at DLS are compensated in accordance with other Denver-area charter schools. The annual salary of $57,120 to $63,036.
• 8 days of PTO with an option to roll days to the following school year.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance subsidized by the school.
• Employee assistance program and online mental health support paid by the school.
• Early student release each Friday to offer opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
• Discounted rates for after-school Fun Clubs and out-of-state travel of employees’ children.
• Individualized coaching and support, as well as school-funded professional development.
• Employees' children get priority in student enrollment, but there is no guarantee of enrollment due to seat availability.
• Short term disability insurance, term life insurance paid fully by the school.

Essential Functions and Objectives

Ability to Provide Reading Intervention

• Identifies students in need of targeted reading support and delivers structured, evidence-based intervention
• Monitors progress consistently and adjusts strategies to accelerate growth toward grade-level proficiency
• Collaborates with specialists and support staff to ensure a coordinated approach to student literacy needs

Ability to Teach Literacy, Especially Writing and Reading Differentiation

• Delivers explicit, differentiated instruction in reading and writing to meet the diverse needs of 6th and 7th grade learners
• Designs literacy experiences that challenge advanced students while providing meaningful access for those below grade level
• Applies a deep understanding of the reading and writing process to guide students at every stage of development

Ability to Effectively Instruct Using the Given Curriculum

• Implements the school's adopted ELA curriculum with fidelity, consistency, and purpose
• Draws on strong content knowledge to bring curriculum materials to life in engaging and meaningful ways
• Partners with colleagues and leadership to ensure aligned, high-quality delivery across grade levels

Ability to Supplement and Differentiate Curriculum

• Thoughtfully supplements core curriculum materials to address gaps, extend learning, and reflect student interests and identities
• Adapts pacing, content, and delivery to meet the needs of diverse learners without sacrificing rigor
• Curates and develops supplemental resources that deepen engagement and support individualized learning paths

Can Build Authentic Teacher/Student Relationships

• Invests in knowing each student as an individual, fostering a classroom culture grounded in trust and belonging
• Creates space for student voice and agency as a foundation for academic engagement and growth
• Maintains high expectations while demonstrating genuine care — embodying the role of a warm demander

Consistently Implements Effective Engagement Strategies

• Employs a varied toolkit of research-based engagement strategies to sustain student motivation and participation
• Designs lessons that are culturally responsive, relevant, and interactive for middle school learners
• Continuously reflects on and refines instructional practice to maximize student engagement and ownership

Understanding of Language Development and Acquisition

• Applies knowledge of language development to support all learners, including English Language Learners and students with diverse linguistic backgrounds
• Designs instruction that builds academic vocabulary, syntax, and language fluency across reading and writing contexts
• Recognizes and honors students' home languages and dialects as assets in the literacy classroom

Utilizes Best Practices

• Grounds instructional decisions in current, research-based best practices in literacy education and adolescent learning
• Stays current with professional developments in ELA pedagogy and applies new learning meaningfully in the classroom
• Reflects regularly on practice and seeks feedback to continuously improve student outcomes

Uses Restorative Justice and Liberatory Design to Manage Classroom Environment

• Creates a classroom culture of reciprocal respect using restorative justice practices that prioritize accountability, repair, and community
• Applies liberatory design principles to center student identities, experiences, and voices in the learning environment
• Leads with the presence of a warm demander — holding high expectations while building the relational trust that middle schoolers need to thrive

Works with Parents, Colleagues, and Community Members to Deepen Learning

• Builds genuine, collaborative relationships with families — including those who are highly engaged or have historically raised concerns — through consistent, transparent communication
• Partners with colleagues across disciplines to create cohesive, connected learning experiences for students
• Seeks out and leverages community partnerships to bring real-world relevance and enrichment to the ELA classroom

Can Communicate with a Wide Range of Students While Providing Scaffolding

• Flexes communication style to meet students where they are, ensuring all learners feel seen, understood, and supported
• Provides intentional scaffolding — including visual, verbal, and written supports — to ensure equitable access to grade-level content
• Builds student independence over time by gradually releasing responsibility as skills and confidence grow

Utilizes Formative and Summative Assessments to Determine Student Pacing and Needs

• Regularly administers and analyzes formative assessments to make real-time instructional adjustments
• Uses summative data to evaluate unit and semester-level growth and inform future planning
• Communicates assessment results clearly to students, families, and school leadership in a timely and meaningful way

Additional Tasks and/or Assignments to Further the Mission and Vision of the School

Skills

Curriculum Development

• Designs rigorous, standards-aligned ELA curriculum for grades 6–7 that reflects the diverse Denver community
• Thoughtfully builds on and evolves an established, well-regarded program
• Collaborates with colleagues to ensure vertical alignment across grade levels

Effective Time Management

• Balances instructional planning, grading, and family communication with consistency
• Responds to competing priorities in a fast-paced charter school environment
• Maintains professionalism and follow-through in a high-expectation community

Instructional Design

• Creates scaffolded, research-based literacy lessons for a range of learners
• Designs engaging reading and writing experiences that challenge all skill levels
• Brings fresh instructional approaches while honoring an established program

Classroom Management

• Builds a structured, inclusive middle school environment rooted in mutual respect
• Sets clear expectations that support student confidence and risk-taking
• Maintains a positive, consistent classroom culture aligned with school values

Analysis of Student Outcomes

• Uses formative and summative data to drive instructional decisions
• Communicates student progress transparently to families and leadership
• Identifies and responds to learning gaps with targeted intervention strategies

Leadership

• Contributes to school-wide initiatives and collaborative curriculum planning
• Models professionalism and earns trust with staff, students, and families
• Approaches a high-visibility role with humility and a growth mindset

Communication

• Communicates proactively and clearly with students, families, and colleagues
• Navigates sensitive parent conversations with empathy and solution-focus
• Builds trust through consistent, transparent, and respectful dialogue

Effective Planning

• Develops cohesive short- and long-term instructional plans with clear pacing
• Balances structure and flexibility to meet evolving student needs
• Ensures continuity and coherence across the 6th and 7th grade ELA experience

Denver Language School is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Denver Language School is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient (and/or willingness to quickly learn) Common Core Social Studies standards.
• Master’s Degree preferred but not required