Elementary Art Teacher at Denver Language School – Denver, Colorado

Description: Denver Language School (DLS) is a public, tuition-free language immersion charter school located in East Denver. DLS provides an innovative academic program to reach the highest levels of student achievement through comprehensive language immersion education in French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. DLS offers traditional learning activities in the target language, making the language both the medium and the object of instruction.Elementary Art TeacherWhiteman Campus451 Newport Street, Denver, CO 80220$57,000- $63,000 1.0 FTE189 Days Annually

Overview of position:

The Elementary Art Teacher is primarily responsible for providing Visual Arts education to students grades K-4. This position supports the academic growth of students by designing, implementing, and refining a yearlong K–4 Visual Arts curriculum aligned to social-emotional learning and grade level content-area standards. This role is responsible for instructing daily classes of 25-30 Kindergarten-4th grade students.

This vacancy will be posted until or until filled by a qualified candidate. We encourage individuals to apply even if the above date has passed.

The anticipated start date for this position is 08/04/2026.

The selected candidate will report to the Whiteman Elementary School Principal.

Pay and Benefits:

• Employees at DLS are compensated in accordance with other Denver-area charter schools. The annual salary of $57,000- $63,000
• 8 days of PTO with an option to roll days to the following school year. PTO will be prorated to reflect a mid-year start.
• Health, vision, and dental insurance subsidized by the school.
• Employee assistance program and online mental health support paid by the school.
• Early student release each Friday to offer opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
• Discounted rates for after-school Fun Clubs and out-of-state travel of employees’ children.
• Individualized coaching and support, as well as school-funded professional development.
• Employees' children get priority in student enrollment, but there is no guarantee of enrollment due to seat availability.
• Short term disability insurance, term life insurance paid fully by the school.

Essential Functions and Objectives

• Use the CO state standards to develop a K-4 Art curriculum.
• Teach techniques in painting, drawing, sculpture, and, in some cases, digital art to foster self-expression.
• Collaborates with grade level teachers to relate what is happening in the classrooms with what is happening in Art.
• Plan and implement engaging art lessons that incorporate art history, techniques, and theory while highlighting diverse artists, cultures, and traditions, including connections to cultural heritage months.
• Use a backward design approach to embed 21st Century Skills throughout units of study, providing multiple opportunities for students to prepare to thrive in a global society with learning that is engaging, sustainable and applicable to everyday life.
• Counsel, monitor, and supervise students to support academic achievement and maintain a positive learning environment by reinforcing expectations for conduct through a clear classroom management plan, Positive Behavior Supports and Restorative Practices.
• Observe, evaluate, report and record students' academic performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Attend and provide data for Student Support Team or IEP meetings as requested.
• Prepare educational course outlines, objectives and materials according to curriculum guidelines with grade level teams.
• Present subject matter to students by instructing individually and in groups using various active teaching methods, adjusting teaching style and method to meet student learning style.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects to students.
• Prepare, administer, assign and grade balanced assessments and assignments to evaluate student progress, reporting grades using school software.
• Communicate with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems; and coordinate instructional efforts.
• The safety of our students is our top priority, therefore all staff members will be expected to hold additional supervision duties, including before or after school or as directed by your supervisor.
• DLS expects all staff to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, efficient workplace by maintaining a spirit of innovation and adaptability. You are a vital part of the DLS community, and may be asked and expected to attend Professional Development, serve on committees, provide insight, perform research, analyze data, or otherwise contribute to achieving our mission. Assisting with and attending DLS events such as cultural, recruitment or PTA events is also expected.
• Follow the guidelines of the DLS Strategic Communication Plan to maintain and update content on individual classroom websites and communicate with DLS families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Curriculum design and implementation centered around, Visual Art, social-emotional learning and grade level content-area standards
• Data-driven reflection and analysis used to assess student engagement and outcomes
• Organization and inventory ability.
• Budgeting and financial literacy. This position is responsible for preparing and adhering to an art supplies budget.
• Ability to effectively instruct
• Ability to supplement and differentiate curriculum
• Can build authentic teacher/student relationships
• Consistently implements effective engagement strategies
• Utilizes best practices.
• Uses restorative justice and liberatory design to encourage a classroom environment that reflects reciprocal respect and the presence of a warm demander to manage a class of 25-20 Kindergarten - 4th Grade students.
• Works with parents, colleagues, and students to build relationships with community members to deepen learning opportunities.
• Can communicate with a wide range of students while providing scaffolding for all learners.
• Additional tasks and/or assignments to further the mission and vision of the school, as assigned.

Denver Language School is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Denver Language School is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Requirements:

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Art, or related field
• Experience working with students aged 6-10 years old;
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, bend, reach, and stand for extended periods;
• Comfortable standing for long periods of time;
• Ability to speak, write, and read English fluently

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Art, or related field
• Fluent in Spanish and/or Mandarin