Middle School

JAMES IRWIN CHARTER SCHOOL•Colorado Springs, CO

3d•$35,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

Do you want to change students’ lives through teaching and work alongside an incredible faculty and staff? Are you looking to develop the character and academic potential of students? James Irwin Charter High School is currently seeking a full-time English teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. The successful candidate will have a 7-period day with two 9th grade English classes, one 10th grade English class and two planning periods. Candidates are not required to have an education degree, be licensed or have prior teaching experience (see below for qualifications). Candidates interested in teaching a concurrent enrollment English course can also qualify by having a Master’s degree in any field plus a minimum of 18 graduate credits in English. Both the degree and credits need to be from a regionally accredited institution. Here are some of the awards James Irwin Charter High School has received: Winner of the John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award (2002, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2010-2011, 2014, 2016) Gold Medal for being in the top 500 high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2013-2016) College Board's AP Honor Roll, AP Access Award, and AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award (2023 - 2024) America’s Most Challenging High Schools by The Washington Post (2011-2016) Best of the Springs Reader’s Choice Gold and Silver Awards by The Gazette (2013, 2016-2021) While we do not rest on our awards or accolades, we are always looking for ways to improve the program for our students. We do this by looking for energetic, solution-based teachers with positive attitudes who want to join us in our mission to provide the best college-preparatory education by developing character and academic potential in every student. Our school culture is one of the most encouraging, collaborative places you will find. Generous benefits package which includes a choice of either a low-cost HMO or an HSA with free supplementary health care and a monthly stipend. In addition, 100% of the dental premium is paid by the employer, and a laptop computer is loaned to the teacher. On on-site daycare free to our employees. Enrollment is on a first come first served basis. Robust teacher development and training program. Candidates who are selected to interview may be asked to attend a brief meet and greet with the administration. If selected to continue the process, candidates may be asked to return for a more comprehensive interview and teach a sample lesson to students, faculty and/or administration. The successful candidate should… Have advanced knowledge and mastery of literary analysis and composition. Possess a talent for editing grammar, spelling, and formatting. Be willing to demonstrate mastery by completing a written essay, grading a sample essay, and teaching a sample lesson. Become familiar with and commit to using the Active Participation or Explicit Instruction methodology by Dr. Anita Archer. Be willing to work with a team of faculty who provide consistent teaching methods and assessments throughout all classes at JICHS. Integrate character into lessons as appropriate and always exhibit the highest character traits, especially in the company of students and colleagues. Be willing to accept and implement feedback on performance via teacher coaching, video recording, and informal and formal evaluations. Be committed to always doing what is best for the students. The successful candidate should also be prepared to… Maintain detailed, accurate, and up-to-date student records. Actively monitor a study hall as assigned. Perform other occasional chaperone duties, as assigned (e.g., after-school detention, Homecoming, Prom). Volunteer from time to time to chaperone student activities (e.g. dances, games). The successful candidate should possess the following skills and abilities: Support James Irwin Charter Schools’ mission and vision. Support and follow all JICS policies and procedures. Courage to enforce student dress code and behavior expectations. Be a self-advocating, quick learner. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent office administration skills, including written and oral communications skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, students and parents. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (e.g. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook). Proficiency with Internet web browsing and research. Excellent in time management. Dress modestly and appropriately for a professional, academic environment. Able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor under pressure and in meeting deadlines. Positive, solution-based attitude. Minimum Work Experience and Education: JICHS follows the Colorado Department of Education State ESSA plan requirements for In-Field qualifying standards in hiring teachers of core subjects. Therefore, the successful candidate needs to hold at least one of the following in the subject area in which they have been assigned to teach in order to be considered In-Field: Endorsement on a Colorado teaching license; or, Degree (B.A. or higher); or, 36 semester credit hours; or, Passing score on a State Board of Education approved content exam (currently the ETS Praxis Series). http://www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/tii/a_hqt Position Summary: An English teacher at JICHS has a multi-faceted job: he or she is responsible for planning the curriculum by utilizing texts from a variety of writing styles and time periods, independently teaching several sections of this course (sometimes to include honors sections, as well), and assessing student growth and progress through a variety of standards in the areas of vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and research. The literature selection must include novels, plays, poetry, and nonfiction at all grade levels from the per-approved curriculum list.The teacher is also required to keep regular contact with parents/guardians of students who are not mastering the material, and teachers are encouraged to support students individually as much as possible.English teachers must assign and grade two writing assignments per week to support student growth in organization, conventions, style, and mastery of course content. One of these writings can be a revision exercise.Teachers also create their own lesson plans weekly and post these plans for approval from the department head.Teachers at JICHS also aim for being data-oriented and aware of student performance in general, especially on standardized tests. Teachers do this through bi-weekly grade book annotations. Teachers are also responsible for creating and administering quarterly assessments (mid-terms and finals) in addition to the unit assessments, to ensure student mastery and to keep the curriculum and standards as consistent as possible from year to year.All JICHS teachers also share several extra responsibilities including monitoring detention on occasion, chaperoning Homecoming and Prom dances, proctoring study halls and/or labs. These responsibilities are assigned during pre-service training and maintained throughout the academic year.This may be the career move you've been looking for if you: Are energetic, flexible, positive, and solution-minded. Enjoy working hard for student success. Love mentoring, teaching, and being around high school students. Appreciate being coached for excellence in teaching. Want to be part of an incredibly supportive team and work environment. Want to impact the next generation of future leaders.

Requirements

Have advanced knowledge and mastery of literary analysis and composition
Possess a talent for editing grammar, spelling, and formatting
Be willing to demonstrate mastery by completing a written essay, grading a sample essay, and teaching a sample lesson
Become familiar with and commit to using the Active Participation or Explicit Instruction methodology by Dr. Anita Archer
Be willing to work with a team of faculty who provide consistent teaching methods and assessments throughout all classes at JICHS
Integrate character into lessons as appropriate and always exhibit the highest character traits, especially in the company of students and colleagues
Be willing to accept and implement feedback on performance via teacher coaching, video recording, and informal and formal evaluations
Be committed to always doing what is best for the students
Maintain detailed, accurate, and up-to-date student records
Actively monitor a study hall as assigned
Perform other occasional chaperone duties, as assigned (e.g., after-school detention, Homecoming, Prom)
Volunteer from time to time to chaperone student activities (e.g. dances, games)
Support James Irwin Charter Schools’ mission and vision
Support and follow all JICS policies and procedures
Courage to enforce student dress code and behavior expectations
Be a self-advocating, quick learner
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent office administration skills, including written and oral communications skills
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, students and parents
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (e.g. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook)
Proficiency with Internet web browsing and research
Excellent in time management
Dress modestly and appropriately for a professional, academic environment
Able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor under pressure and in meeting deadlines
Positive, solution-based attitude
Endorsement on a Colorado teaching license; or, Degree (B.A. or higher); or, 36 semester credit hours; or, Passing score on a State Board of Education approved content exam (currently the ETS Praxis Series)

Responsibilities

Planning the curriculum by utilizing texts from a variety of writing styles and time periods
Independently teaching several sections of this course (sometimes to include honors sections, as well)
Assessing student growth and progress through a variety of standards in the areas of vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and research
Keep regular contact with parents/guardians of students who are not mastering the material
Assign and grade two writing assignments per week to support student growth in organization, conventions, style, and mastery of course content
Create their own lesson plans weekly and post these plans for approval from the department head
Aim for being data-oriented and aware of student performance in general, especially on standardized tests through bi-weekly grade book annotations
Creating and administering quarterly assessments (mid-terms and finals) in addition to the unit assessments
Monitoring detention on occasion
Chaperoning Homecoming and Prom dances
Proctoring study halls and/or labs