Job Description

NOW HIRING for 2025-2026

Hiring for 3 Lead Teacher Roles:

3rd Grade Crew Leader (Teacher, All subjects)

5th Grade Crew Leader (Teacher, Expedition)

4th Grade Crew Leader (Teacher, Math)

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(s) Overview

The 5th Grade 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.

The 3rd Grade Crew Leader is responsible for delivering high-quality literacy and math 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 core subjects 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.

The 4th Grade Math Crew Leader is a professional educator responsible for providing rigorous, inquiry-based math instruction aligned with Common Core Standards while fostering a strong Crew culture. At DDES, our math instruction follows a problem-solving approach, incorporating Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and Illustrative Math (IM) to deepen students’ mathematical reasoning.

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 Crew Leader at DDES, you are more than a classroom teacher—you are a leader, mentor, and guide. You will cultivate a learning environment where every student is seen, valued, and empowered to think critically, solve real-world problems, and take ownership of their growth. Through expeditionary learning and a student-centered approach, you will inspire students to connect their education to the world beyond the classroom.

Daily Crew meetings will provide a foundation for belonging, character development, and leadership, helping students build resilience, collaboration, and self-advocacy skills. By fostering a culture of inquiry and perseverance, you will empower students to ask big questions, challenge themselves, and embrace learning as an active, dynamic process.

Your work will have a lasting impact—shaping confident, engaged learners who see themselves as leaders, innovators, and changemakers in their communities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality literacy instruction aligned with Common Core Standards.
• Lead expeditionary learning units, integrating literacy with research, fieldwork, and authentic projects.
• Facilitate daily Crew meetings, supporting students’ social-emotional development.
• Use student data to inform instruction and ensure differentiated learning.
• Engage in weekly coaching and professional development.
• Support restorative discipline practices, fostering a positive classroom culture.
• Plan and attend two overnight camping trips and one day trip per year.
• Supervise and collaborate with Teaching Assistants and intervention staff.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $52,450 - $77,000/year (based on experience/hard to fill).
• Multiple pathways to salary increases, not solely based on advanced degrees.
• Step and lane system that rewards dedication, commitment, and mastery of knowledge/skills.
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan: 100% paid by DDES.
• PERA retirement plan: With employer contributions.
• Short-Term Disability: 100% paid by DDES (long-term optional).
• Paid parking/commuter costs: 100% covered by DDES.
• Generous paid time off: 10 days PTO, plus 25 days of paid vacation/holidays.
• Vision care, PERA 401k option, and PERA life option available.
• Free on-site aftercare and summer camp: If your child attends DDES.

Professional Growth & Development

• Two-week summer PD institute.
• Early release Fridays for weekly professional development.
• Individual goal-oriented peer coaching and autonomy in lesson design.
• Pathways to leadership development and opportunities for external PD through EL Education.
• Training in restorative practices, the Neurosequential Model in Education, and culturally responsive teaching.

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:

• A commitment to continuous improvement through coaching, professional development, and collaboration.
• Evidence of implementing effective instructional practices that increase student learning and growth.
• A passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the creation of culturally responsive classrooms.
• A proven ability to contribute to a high-performing team and engage in open, honest conversations.
• The ability to build strong relationships with students and center family engagement in their practice.
• A passion for expeditionary learning and fostering student curiosity and critical thinking.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher).
• Colorado Teacher Certification/Licensure or an out-of-state certification in the process of obtaining Colorado licensure.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and Facility Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) criminal background checks.

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.

You will need the following to complete the application:

• Updated resume.
• If available, a 15-minute video of a class lesson, including a portion of your leading whole-class instruction (not required but highly encouraged).
• 30 minutes to answer long-form application questions.

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