Grades 2-8 Advanced Studies Teacher

UNIVERSITY ACADEMY • Kansas City, MO

5d

About The Position

The Advanced Studies Teacher (Grades 2–8) is responsible for designing and delivering high-quality instruction that challenges and supports gifted and high-ability learners. This role focuses on enrichment, acceleration, and critical thinking while collaborating closely with classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators to ensure advanced learners are appropriately identified, supported, and extended across content areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field
• Valid teaching certification (state-required)
• Experience working with high-ability or gifted students
• Strong knowledge of differentiation, enrichment, and acceleration strategies
• Deep understanding of the needs of gifted and advanced learners
• Ability to design engaging, rigorous, student-centered learning experiences
• Strong organizational and data-management skills
• Growth mindset and commitment to continuous improvement
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, and families

Nice To Haves

• Gifted Education endorsement or coursework (or willingness to obtain one)
• Experience teaching or working with multiple grade levels

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver rigorous, engaging instruction for gifted and advanced learners in grades 2–8
• Implement enrichment and acceleration opportunities aligned to district curriculum and standards
• Support students through a variety of service models (pull-out, push-in, small group, enrichment blocks, or acceleration as applicable)
• Foster higher-order thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and independent inquiry
• Support students’ social-emotional needs, including perfectionism, peer relationships, and academic risk-taking
• Assist with gifted identification processes using multiple measures (screeners, assessments, teacher input, student performance data)
• Analyze student data to inform instructional planning and progress monitoring
• Maintain accurate documentation related to student services and growth
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan extensions, differentiation, and advanced learning opportunities
• Partner with instructional coaches, counselors, and administrators to support student growth
• Provide guidance and resources to teachers on best practices for meeting the needs of advanced learners
• Participate in grade-level, department, and professional learning meetings
• Support the development and continuous improvement of the Advanced Studies/Gifted program (grades 2–8)
• Align enrichment opportunities to district priorities and instructional frameworks
• Support vertical alignment of advanced learning experiences across grade levels
• Communicate clearly and regularly with families regarding programming, student progress, and learning opportunities
• Partner with families to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth
• Partner with local organizations to support STEM, STEAM, and Problem Based Learning opportunities for advanced studies learners.

Benefits

• Retirement Program
• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance are provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees