Who We Are

Zero Dropouts is dedicated to designing innovative student development opportunities in collaboration with school districts, communities, and students. Our mission is to co-create solutions that recognize, foster, and unleash students’ unrealized potential so that their lives are transformed as they thrive in their education and work.

Next GED+ programs provide youth ages 17-20 with flexible, supportive pathways to earn a high school equivalency credential while gaining essential life skills and exploring future career and education opportunities. In addition to academics, we prioritize wraparound support and connect students with resources that address barriers to learning and engagement. At no cost to youth, including GED testing fees, Next GED+ creates an accessible and empowering environment, equipping young people with the tools and confidence to thrive.

What We Believe

Our foundational beliefs guide every aspect of our work:

We Believe Mysteries are Opportunities

We are inspired to solve the deeply complex mysteries that face our world. Our innovative approach drives us to uncover hidden truths and create tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of our clients and communities.

We Believe in Anti-Deficit Ideology

Anti-deficit ideology focuses on recognizing and valuing the strengths, abilities, and potential of individuals and communities, rather than highlighting their shortcomings or deficiencies.

We Believe in a Sociocultural Model for Learning

People develop knowledge and skills through an active learning process that encourages interactions with teachers, peers, and their communities. We meet people where they are in their learning journeys, centering their experiences and identities in the process to foster both independent learning and collaboration.

We Believe in a ‘Power With’ Approach to Relationships

We use a ‘power with’ approach that emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and collective empowerment in our relationships with youth, partners, and each other. Instead of hierarchical or competitive dynamics, it focuses on sharing power, fostering partnerships, and working together to achieve common goals.

We Believe Organizations are Living Systems

We believe that organizations and groups operate as dynamic living systems. This perspective emphasizes interdependence and collaboration, fostering resilience and adaptability. By nurturing supportive relationships and collective growth, we create conditions and environments where all members can thrive.

Who You Are

You are a licensed, student-centered educator with a strong foundation in sociocultural learning approaches. You understand that teaching is not just about delivering content or preparing students for a test—it’s about walking alongside young people as they navigate complex barriers, disruptions, and evolving circumstances that impact their learning and lives.

You design inclusive, responsive learning experiences that adapt to students’ emerging needs, strengths, and identities. You recognize that each student arrives with a unique story, and you meet them where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether students are rebuilding confidence after disrupted learning or balancing real-life responsibilities, you provide learning opportunities and experiences that honor their realities and support their growth. Your instruction integrates academic content with essential life skills, durable mindsets, and postsecondary exploration, helping students move toward their goals with clarity and purpose.

You foster a classroom culture rooted in belonging, curiosity, and shared purpose. You understand that students thrive in environments where they feel connected, valued, and seen, and you intentionally build community through empathy, mutual respect, and collaboration. With strong interpersonal and culturally responsive communication skills, you establish authentic relationships that are foundational to student success.

Your approach is dynamic, student-driven, and rooted in adaptability. You are skilled at identifying shifts in student engagement, needs, and capacity—and you adjust accordingly. You create space for students to explore their own “why,” engage in meaningful reflection, and take ownership of their growth. You bring creativity, flexibility, and a problem-solving mindset to your teaching, leveraging innovation and collaboration to remove barriers and make learning relevant and accessible.

Above all, you believe deeply in the power and potential of every student. You see education as a tool for transformation—not only by building academic strength, but by instilling a sense of belonging, agency, and possibility that empowers students to thrive in school, in work, and in life.

Your Responsibilities

Teaching & Learning

• Create and deliver engaging lessons and activities that align with students’ needs, interests, goals, and abilities through whole class lessons, small group sessions, and/or one-on-one instruction.
• Design and implement learning experiences and targeted interventions that go beyond test preparation to foster durable skills, positive learning habits, and readiness for real-world application.
• Embed college, career, and civic readiness into instruction, helping students understand the relevance of their learning in broader life contexts.
• Support students in actively exploring postsecondary options—including higher education, training programs, and career pathways—so they are equipped to make informed choices when ready.
• Foster a sense of belonging and community within the classroom, emphasizing sociocultural learning, empathy, shared responsibility, and collaboration.
• Support students in developing agency to achieve academic and personal development goals.
• Foster a safe, inclusive environment grounded in respect and dignity, encouraging a culture where all students and staff feel valued.
• Build mutually respectful relationships that promote a sense of self-worth and community within the learning environment.

Student Support & Advocacy

• Provide advising and mentorship to students, guiding them toward academic achievement and personal growth while recognizing the interplay between academic, social, and emotional factors.
• Engage in outreach with students and families to support engagement and build trust through authentic, relationship-centered practices.
• Cultivate partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and stakeholders to build a sustainable network of support for students and the broader community.
• Connect students and families with comprehensive wraparound supports, including academic, social-emotional, and basic needs resources, ensuring a holistic approach to student success.
• Demonstrate a commitment to 'holding the hope' for students by consistently believing in their potential, refusing to give up or dismiss them even when they struggle to engage or believe in themselves.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Track and monitor student progress through ongoing assessments and data collection, using insights to refine program delivery and customize instruction.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, performance, and other metrics to document program impact and inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with project teams to collect both qualitative and quantitative data that demonstrate program effectiveness.
• Coordinate with the broader Next team to ensure students are re-taking GED Ready tests at an appropriate cadence and in accordance with established guidelines
• Monitor student readiness for Official GED subject tests and support students in scheduling and preparing for those assessments in a timely and proactive manner.

Professional Development

• Pursue individual development through continuous growth and learning, seeking opportunities for professional development, reflection, and collaboration that enhance instructional practices and deepen understanding of diverse student needs.
• Engage thoughtfully in professional development opportunities provided by Zero Dropouts, aligning with the organization's principled approach and commitment to a living systems model that emphasizes interdependence, adaptability, and collective growth.
• Stay informed on evidence-based practices and research in GED preparation and postsecondary readiness.

Collaboration

• Regularly meet with other Zero Dropouts staff to ensure alignment and consistency across programs.
• Utilize communication platforms (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Coda) to maintain professional, timely engagement with colleagues, students, and stakeholders.
• Build and nurture district and community partnerships by fostering trust and mutual benefit through events, recruitment support, enrichment opportunities, and service-learning projects—emphasizing the value of co-creating solutions that attract and engage collaborators.
• Collaborate on Zero Dropouts Design Teams for program and product development as needed.
• Work to support the building and sustaining of interdependence within the organization.

Additional Responsibilities

• Comply with program and district policies, maintaining accurate and thorough records as required.
• Flexibly contribute to the organization’s overall mission and support additional projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Current Colorado Teaching License (7-12) or eligibility to transfer a valid out-of-state teaching license to Colorado
• Ability to support students across multiple academic content areas, including foundational reading, writing, and math skills.
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft applications
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Expertise in building rapport across diverse backgrounds, cultural competence, and adapting communication for various stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing.
• Colorado Teaching License with an endorsement in Math (7-12).
• Background in working with youth in alternative educational or community-based settings, such as credit recovery programs, GED preparation, and wrap-around services.
• Familiarity with Jefferson County communities, potential partnerships, and available resources
• Experience using educational platforms, such as Edgenuity, Aztec, Synergy, Infinite Campus
• Experience working with IEPs, 504s, and ELD populations.
• Experience in case management, including tracking student progress and resource or career navigation.
• Knowledge of Colorado’s community college and career technical education systems, particularly regarding the transition from secondary to post-secondary education.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your application materials through our website .

WORK SCHEDULE: This is a full-time position, Monday-Thursday 7:30AM-5:30PM. ZD employees work year-round, with flexibility for academic breaks.

COMPENSATION: This is an exempt position with a salary range of $56,485-70,000/year. Note: This represents the full salary range; new hires typically start on the lower end of the range to allow for development in the role.

BENEFITS: Company 401K plan with Employer Contribution Match, Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage, Paid Time Off (Sick Time, Holidays, Flexible Vacation), Life Insurance; Not PERA eligible.