Buckeye Elementary School District

Job Goal

The responsibility of the gifted-cluster teacher is to teach all the students in the class. This requires teachers to create a learning environment in which all students will be stretched to learn and differences in learning needs will be respected. Gifted-cluster teachers should know how to recognize and nurture behaviors usually demonstrated by gifted students.

Qualifications

1. Valid Fingerprint Clearance Card
2. Hold an Arizona Teacher Certificate with a Gifted Education Endorsement in accordance with the requirements of the Arizona Department of education.
3. Broad knowledge of the principals and practices of school administration and of current educational trends in special education (IDEA).
4. Ability to effectively work and communicate with students, parents, and school personnel from diverse cultures or backgrounds in English, Spanish, or other languages related to the job.
5. Demonstrate integrity of confidential information relating to student, staff, or District patrons.
6. Evidence of ability to effectively use technology to perform duties.
7. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Performance Responsibilities: 

Skills and Knowledge

• understand and be able to accommodate the exceptional learning needs of gifted students
• understand how to identify and assess for giftedness
• recognize common characteristics of giftedness
• possess the ability to advocate for the needs of gifted learners
• demonstrate effectiveness at leading teachers through professional learning conversations
• possess collaborative skills that allow for productive relationships with teachers at all grade levels.
• understand the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model, including placement procedures

Responsibilities

• provide case oversight for identified gifted students at Jasinski Elementary in grades K-2.
• provide direct instruction through pull-out opportunities for gifted students at Jasinski Elementary in grades 3-5.
• provide coaching and planning guidance for teachers in grade 6-8.
• regularly model full-lessons for classroom teachers
• engage in coaching opportunities provided by the Gifted Director
• consistently offer compacting opportunities for content and pacing, as appropriate
• differentiate curriculum for students who are gifted
• assess gifted students’ growth in an ongoing process before, during, and after instruction to ensure continuous progress, as appropriate.
• participate in monthly gifted-cluster meetings at the school
• participate/lead staff development at the site and district level
• invite testing nominations from other teachers
• disseminate information about about identification of gifted students to other teachers
• help parents of gifted students provide academic and emotional support for their children
• provide teachers with information about the needs and characteristics of gifted children
• share lesson plans and resources with colleagues regarding extension and acceleration strategies
• Work with site administrator to ensure the integrity of the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM)
• facilitate opportunities for any gifted children who are not in gifted-cluster classrooms* to join the gifted students in the gifted-cluster classroom for certain projects or activities
• advocate for gifted programming and students, as appropriate
• assist in the further development of the gifted program at Jasinski Elementary
• Other duties as assigned

*This situation may occur when a student who is not in a gifted-cluster classroom is identified as gifted during the school year.