What are the responsibilities and job description for the Crew Leader (Classroom Teacher) position at DOWNTOWN DENVER EXPEDITIONARY SCHOOL?
NOW HIRING for 2025-2026
Upper Elementary Crew Leader (5th Grade Literacy / Expedition Teacher)
Do you crave a diverse learning environment in the city center, made up of a crew that believes in deeper learning, provides coaching and robust professional development for teachers, and takes learning beyond the classroom and into the real world?
The Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) is a K-5 public charter school in the portfolio of Denver Public Schools. DDES was founded by a group of parents, community members, and business leaders seeking a high-performing EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school to serve a diverse range of families who live, work, or learn in downtown Denver. DDES follows the EL Education model to challenge students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement in school.
Our Approach
- The city is our campus :
- Students interact with their community through fieldwork and service-learning.
- Real-world learning :
- Students grapple with real-world problems through multi-subject learning expeditions and produce high-quality work to present to authentic audiences.
- Whole Child Education :
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) and character development are core components of our curriculum, emphasized in daily Crew meetings, restorative practices, and adventure trips for all grade levels.
- Robust Student Support :
- We prioritize small class sizes, mental health services, intervention teams, and inclusive special education programming.
- Diverse by Design :
- DDES is committed to becoming a fully integrated K-5 public school, both racially and socio-economically. We focus on anti-racist practices, culturally responsive curriculum, and partnerships with BIPOC professionals to enrich our students’ learning.
Position Overview
The 5th Grade Literacy / Expedition Crew Leader is responsible for delivering rigorous, inquiry-based literacy instruction aligned with Common Core Standards while leading expeditionary learning experiences that bring learning to life. Learning expeditions are long-term, in-depth studies that involve students in original research, critical thinking, and problem-solving, integrating literacy with real-world applications.
Beyond academics, the Crew Leader builds a tight-knit classroom community and leads daily Crew meetings centered on belonging, character development, and leadership. The role requires analyzing student data, collaborating with colleagues, and engaging in professional learning to ensure student success.
Impact
As a 5th Grade Literacy / Expedition Crew Leader, you are first and foremost a Crew Leader, ensuring that every student is known, supported, and challenged. Through literacy and expeditionary learning, you will empower students to see themselves as critical thinkers, researchers, and problem-solvers who connect their learning to real-world challenges.
Through daily Crew meetings, you will nurture students’ social-emotional growth, leadership skills, and sense of belonging. By fostering a culture of inquiry, perseverance, and collaboration, you will inspire students to think deeply, advocate for themselves and others, and take ownership of their learning and future.
Primary Responsibilities
Compensation & Benefits
Professional Growth & Development
Our Culture
At DDES, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, support them, and thrive on them for the benefit of our students, employees, and community. We seek to recruit individuals of diverse backgrounds and support the retention and advancement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) within our organization. DDES is inclusive of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, or religious beliefs.
Ideal Candidates Will Possess :
Necessary Qualifications :
Does it sound like a fit?
DDES engages in a recruiting process involving initial and secondary phone interviews, in-person interviews, demonstration lessons, group interviews, and background and reference checks.
To initiate the process, please submit a DDES General Application , and we will be in touch soon.
Application Link : Apply Here
You will need the following to complete the application :
Salary : $52,450 - $77,000