Job Description

About East Hills Academy

We believe that children flourish when they grow in character and engage in a rich and beautiful liberal arts curriculum. We believe that all children can achieve high standards with the right community and support. We believe that this education should be available to all children, yet barriers still exist for many families. Despite many obstacles, the founder of East Hills Academy attended such a school as a child and is opening East Hills to make this education available to more children.

East Hills Academy is a K-8 charter school in the classical tradition with a mission to increase access to students who often face barriers to attending such schools. By providing bussing, a family-friendly school schedule and calendar, before and after school care, and summer programming, we believe that we can provide an excellent classical education to more students in Colorado Springs. We will open in August 2026 with kindergarten through second grade and expand one grade each year.

We are looking for someone up to the challenge of creating something new in Colorado Springs and wading into uncharted territory, someone who can join other hard-working, supportive, no-drama teammates who wear multiple hats and go the extra mile for all students, someone who believes that education is just as much about character as it is about knowledge.

"Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

Position Overview

A Founding Elementary Teacher is responsible for providing top-quality instruction using Direct Instruction principles, Core Knowledge, Singapore Math, and other classically based curriculum. The teacher expects excellence and ensures mastery of grade level content and related skills. A high-structured environment is maintained for optimal student performance. In assuming full responsibility for student learning, a high level of academic rigor is established and maintained through the use of careful scaffolding of lessons. The teacher kindles a love of virtue and knowledge by inspiring lifelong learning, engaging the intellect, modeling character to students, and abiding by Love and Logic principles. The teacher creates a positive, productive, respectful, and safe classroom environment where there is a culture of excellence, inquiry, and learning. Above all, a Founding Elementary Teacher builds strong relationships and embodies integrity, service, and excellence.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Demonstrates Mastery of Content Area Knowledge

Demonstrates content area knowledge to teach academic subjects. Demonstrates relevant pedagogical knowledge to teach academic subjects. Conveys enthusiasm for and interest in content area to engage and inspire students.

Plans and Prepares Lessons

Creates lessons based on clear sequencing within units. Designs formal and informal assessments to accurately and regularly measure mastery levels. Designs learning to be cumulative.

Delivers Effective Instruction

Studies, practices, and executes lessons that lead students to master daily standard-aligned objectives, faithfully using the rigorous, classical East Hills curriculum Provides effective instruction to help students achieve mastery of grade-level content and related skills. Communicates expectations clearly and provides regular and meaningful feedback to students and parents on academic progress. Monitors student achievement to ensure adequate progression toward course objectives and provides support as needed. Supports all interventions and accommodations that have been developed for students.

Establishes Classroom Environment

Creates a positive classroom culture of high academic expectations, student engagement, and mutual respect. Recognizes and celebrates positive character traits in students. Fairly and justly enforces school discipline expectations so that learning is not impeded. Strives to motivate the development of strong work habits in students. Implements Love and Logic principles in student discipline.

Maintains High Expectations

Regularly communicates and holds high expectations for all students and supports students to achieve them. Regularly communicates expectations of best efforts and family support to parents and guardians.

Culture and Collaboration

Encapsulates positivity and excellence within the culture of East Hills Academy. Builds relationships and communicates effectively with parents. Works with grade level team to ensure consistency among the grade. Commits to growing professionally and personally through continuous learning.

Professional Expectations

Exemplifies the highest integrity, ethics, and professionalism in working with students, staff, and parents. Committed to the East Hills Academy mission to "kindle a love of virtue and knowledge." Develops strong, professional, positive, and productive relationships with staff, students, and parents. Creates a culture of high academic expectations, diligence, and mutual respect. Demonstrates ability to collaborate with educators of various backgrounds and personalities. Excellent communicator in all areas. Goes above and beyond to serve East Hills Academy, modeling this behavior to staff and students. Complies with school, board, and district policies. Continues to grow by attending professional development opportunities and reflecting on own practices. Supports all East Hills Academy expectations. Prioritizes the safety and welfare of students while on campus. Demonstrates innovative and collaborative problem solving. Completes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
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Education

Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Previous experience working with K-2 students preferred. Experience at a Core Knowledge school or a school in the classical tradition is preferred.

Experience with Direct Instruction principles and Teach Like A Champion is preferred. Must be able to demonstrate previous sustained success with student growth data in ELA and math, preferably with a high-FRL population.

Conditions of Employment

All offers of employment are conditional to a successful background and references check. East Hills may choose to contact work references other than those listed on your application. Position is exempt from overtime and may require work outside of normal office hours. Selected applicant is an employee at-will. Applicant must comply with the Colorado State Board of Education's Drug-Free Workplace policy. As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), the selected applicant must verify, within 72 hours of employment, his/her legal right to be employed in the United States.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
Application Question(s):

How many years of experience do you have working in a school in the classical tradition? (If none, why are you interested in working at a school in the classical tradition?) How many years of experience do you have working in a school using the Core Knowledge sequence or curriculum? (If none, why are you interested in working at a school using the Core Knowledge sequence or curriculum?) How many years of experience do you have working in a school that implements Direct Instruction/Teach Like A Champion principles? How many years of experience do you have working in a school where more than 50% of students come from low-income backgrounds? Which elementary grade levels have you taught (and for how many years)? How many years of experience do you have working at a public charter school? Please share an example of how you have fostered students' growth in character and virtue as a classroom teacher. Please provide an example of an effective strategy you have used as a classroom teacher to promote sustained academic growth in reading with elementary students, and describe a specific outcome of that strategy. Please provide specific data. Please provide an example of an effective strategy you have used as a classroom teacher to promote sustained academic growth in math with elementary students, and describe a specific outcome of that strategy. Please provide specific data. Please describe your experience working with students from low-income backgrounds and the strategies you have used as a classroom teacher to support their success in a rigorous academic program.
Work Location: In person