Middle School English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Seeks a MS ELA/SS teacher for our multi-age middle school students.

Our new teacher will coach our students to

• appreciate the creativity and beauty of language,
• ask deep questions and require deeper answers,
• explore the rich set of connections and applicability of history to the present world, and
• develop growth mindsets.

The Crestone Charter School is located in the small, rural town of Crestone Colorado, tucked into the western foothills of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range, in the northeastern corner of the San Luis Valley. Crestone is an open-minded, adventurously unique, isolated, and tight-knit community with a population of 1,800 residents. The Charter School is a centerpiece of this community, and as such, the faculty and staff have a shared and very public sense of responsibility for creating and maintaining the highest standards in education. Meanwhile, we are also an awesome place to work, with a focus on the virtues of respect, integrity, and creativity. We strive to foster a healthy work environment, providing professional development and growth opportunities. The Crestone Charter School is an equal-opportunity employer.

• Have a deep understanding of content related to high school English Language Arts and Social Studies
• Engage mixed age groups of Middle School students in grades 6-8
• Be able to differentiate and individualized learning plans to cater to student needs
• Utilize data to drive instructional planning
• Create lesson plans that go beyond the scope of the classroom (experiential learning)
• Plan, facilitate and implement in-state, out-of-state, and/or international trips (twice a year)
• Participate in the ski/snowboard or alternative physical education programs from January-March
• Must be qualified to drive 11- to 14-passenger vans and busses (clean driving and insurance record)

*

• Previous teaching experience, or completion of a teacher certification program
• Have previously worked with poverty or rural education areas
• Active involvement with experiential learning
• Willing to engage in outdoor activities
• Engaged with our unique, small-town community

Application Details / Hiring Timeline:

The position remains open with a start date around August 1st, 2025 for the 25/26 SY. Application deadline Feb 1st, 2025.

NOTE: As of Jan 2025, there is a current classroom aide position to work with the outgoing MS (and HS) ELA/SS teacher(s) with an immediate/ASAP start date.

Please submit the following (in one file, preferably PDF):

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 3 recent letters of recommendations
• 3 additional references

Send to Thomas Cleary at tcleary@crestonecharter.com

Please see Crestone-charter-school.org/employment or call 719-256-4907 with any questions

More about CCS

We have implemented a progressive form of proficiency-based education that centers around standards-, projects,- and experiential-based education. In addition to facilitating learning for all the commonly tested content areas of traditional education, CCS teachers guide students through six non-academic content areas specific to our charter school. These are self-awareness and character development, artistic skills, service learning, environmental awareness, life-skills / health / body awareness, and cultural awareness. These “core values” are woven into everything we do and are emphasized through and during our outdoor and travel programming.

Our small number of about 100 students in grades K-12, within the seven multi-age grade-banded classrooms in our environmentally conscious schoolhouse, requires all faculty and staff to closely work together and participate in decision making. Teachers are empowered and expected to guide their group of learners along the path of self-discovery and academic growth. Teachers are also expected to use their professional ethics and best judgment when designing projects and thematic units, including field trips to engage student learning.

One of the major benefits of Crestone Charter School is the awesome trips designed by the teachers to expose the students to a world outside of our community. Teachers must be capable of planning the logistics, including budgeting, for short term and long term field trips. Teachers must be comfortable driving our twelve-passenger vans for these trips. High school trips are longer and more intense than other grades and include international travel experiences every other year. Additionally, most of our teachers come to us with a love for outdoor education, including camping, hiking, swimming and skiing/snowboarding.

Our decisions are driven by the immediate needs of the children we serve. Our teachers have the voice and choice that some teachers in traditional schools have lost. Our teachers are not burdened with scripted lessons. Our school has the trust and support of the Governing Council that we serve. Our students encompass individuality and creative expression. They are extremely bright, and good-natured, especially with one another. They encourage one another and support each other’s academic success. Our school progressively redefines the possibilities of rural academic excellence; for those in the industry functioning at the level of change agent, this is an amazing place to be.

Crestone Eagle Classified

The Crestone Charter School is attracting skilled educators for a MS English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher position. Qualified applicants will have a breadth of knowledge in reading and writing instruction, all aspects of Social Studies, as well as instructional practices for individualized, project-based, and experiential learning. A teacher’s license is preferred but educational experience is required. Salary with great benefits ranges from $42-62K, for a 170-day school year of 4-day school weeks for the 2024/25 SY (Aug-May).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Charter school
• Public school

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $42,000 - $62,000