Cortez - Gifted and Talented Teacher - MCSD

Teach-in-Southwest-Colorado; Cortez (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 is seeking a Gifted and Talented Teacher who holds or will obtain a Gifted Endorsement. This role focuses on accelerated and differentiated instruction for identified students, with responsibilities including development of programs and a summer college/institute.

Strong collaboration with staff and administrators is essential to close achievement gaps in a diverse community served by the district, including Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience in gifted education or identification processes is desirable.
• Ability to develop and implement Accelerated Learning Plans and GT programs.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates understanding of gifted learners and shares with staff.
• Provides staff development on gifted education and differentiation.
• Instructs advanced and general student populations; coordinates GT activities.
• Develops and oversees summer college/institute for GT students.
• Maintains GT reporting and data for district and state requirements.

Skills

Excellent communication

Classroom instruction

Instructional leadership

Get Better Faster

Organization and planning

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Cortez - Gifted and Talented Teacher - MCSD

Teach in Southwest Colorado Montezuma-Cortez SD RE-1 - Administration - Cortez, Colorado Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5897652

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 21, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

MONTEZUMA CORTEZ SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1 EVERY STUDENT. EVERY DAY. Position: Gifted and Talented Teacher - (this position requires a Gifted and Talented Endorsement or the ability to obtain one). Our Vision

The district is committed to creating an environment of collaboration and accountability that ensures our students:

• Achieve personal goals and academic growth
• Are invested in success for their future
• Attain high levels of literacy and 21 st century skills
• Are engaged in active citizenship
• Learn in a safe and healthy school environment

We are committed to developing a team of effective educators who are dedicated to closing the achievement gap in a high-need, diverse community of learners and this position is critical to meeting that commitment. We are privileged to serve students from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Navajo Tribe, which contribute greatly to the cultural richness of our community and schools.

Position Summary:

The Gifted and Talented (GT) teacher has the unique opportunity to provide support and services for students that have been, or may be identified as gifted and talented. This is a teacher position with an additional 2 weeks to develop and host a summer college/institute. The GT teacher ensures GT students receive appropriate programming including: accelerated instruction, differentiated instruction, and high levels of content enrichment. The GT Teacher helps provide staff development to support the identification of gifted students and to provide teaching strategies for those students. The position will require the teaching of specialized classes, development of programs and activities (may include competitions on or off campus), and the development of a summer college/institute for gifted students and those students identified as needing additional enrichment.

Essential Duties:

• Demonstrates a true understanding of the characteristics of the gifted learner and passes that understanding to the teaching staff and administration.
• Provides staff development in the area of gifted education including characteristics of giftedness, process for identification, and differentiation of instruction and assessment.
• Provides instruction for both advanced and general student populations.
• Provides staff development in the difference between academically strong students and gifted students.
• Identifies exceptional potential in all populations of race, culture, gender, and income level and strives for proportionate representation of gifted students from all groups in the local population.
• Monitors screening of all students referred by teachers, parents, and students themselves.
• Ensures that all students are considered in the screening process regardless of achievement, appropriate behavior, or talent area.
• Ensures Accelerated Learning Plans are written by liaisons and are in compliance for each identified student, and evaluates the effectiveness of that plan.
• Facilitates and coordinates activities and competitions for interested students.
• Keeps parents informed and invites them to be a part of the process.
• Participates in district, regional and state meetings and training to remain current with research-based, best-practice, and state laws regarding gifted education.
• Provides information for reports and maintains necessary data as required by the school, district, and state.
• Develops a 1 week summer college for gifted and talented students.
• Reports to the Gifted and Talented Coordinator and Building Principals

Language Skills: Demonstrate an understanding of the Colorado state standards for English language arts including the foundations of literacy and how to apply those in practice to support the development of strong literacy skills in students. Ability to deepen student’s literacy skills across the curriculum through exposure to fiction and non-fiction texts, opportunities to practice skills in citing evidence to text, and writing across the curriculum. Ability to effectively present information both orally and in writing and to respond to questions from students, parents, and colleagues. Mathematical Skills: Demonstrate understanding of the Colorado state standards for math including the progression of foundational math skills in elementary and the demonstration of mathematical practices. Ability to engage students in rigorous and dynamic mathematics instruction that utilizes a variety of methods (e.g. modeling, word problems, critiquing the reasoning of others) to move from concrete to conceptual to abstract, building an effective mathematical foundational knowledge to prepare students for middle school and higher math. Growth Mindset: A commitment to continuous improvement including an ability to apply knowledge of current research and educational theory to instructional programming; an ability to receive feedback and reflect on one’s own instruction; an ability to interpret and use data to drive changes in instruction; and a desire to engage in ongoing collaboration with colleagues to share and learn best practices. Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand for long periods of time, walk around the classroom and school; provide verbal instruction and solicit and hear students’ responses as well as demonstrate an ability to read handwritten or typed materials.

The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be asked to push or lift up to 50 lbs. Examples of this include lifting boxes of books and/or pushing AV/VCR carts. These physical demands represent those an employee needs to routinely demonstrate while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. This job description is not intended to create any express or implied contract of employment or expectancy of continued employment for any definite term.

Supervision:Reports to Principal; non-supervisory position Job Classification:Exempt, Benefits Eligible Benefits: The Montezuma-Cortez School District offers employees a wide range of competitive, cost-effective benefits.Reviewourbenefits guide for detailed information.

Candidate Profile

Education and Certification

• Teacher’s License for Colorado (Required)
• Master’s degree (Preferred)

Experience and Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated excellence in classroom instruction preferred
• Instructional leadership or coaching experience preferred
• Experience in Get Better Faster Framework preferred
• High level of personal organization and planning
• Technology proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Culture and Fit

• Commitment to the mission and values of Montezuma Cortez Re-1
• Ambition and desire to grow as a leader
• Openness to feedback
• Maintains and models high standards of personal and professional integrity
• Collaborative practitioner

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. ...

Physical Activities:

Amount of:

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Stand

X

Walk

X

Sit

X

Reach with hands and arms

X

Climb or balance

X

Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl

X

Talk

X

Listen

X

Weight and Force Demands:

Amount of:

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

Mental Functions:

Amount Of:

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Compare

X

Analyze

X

Communicate

X

Copy

X

Coordinate

X

Instruct

X

Compute

X

Synthesize

X

Evaluate

X

Interpersonal Skills

X

Compile

X

Negotiate

X

Work Environment:

Amount of:

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Fumes or airborne particles

X

Toxic or caustic chemicals

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Extreme Cold (non-weather)

X

Extreme Heat (non-weather)

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Work with explosives

X

Risk of radiation

X

Vibration

X

Vision Demands:

Required

No special vision requirements

Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)

X

Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)

X

Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)

Peripheral vision

Depth perception

Ability to adjust focus

X

Noise Level:

Exposure Level

Very quiet

Quiet

Moderate

X

Loud

Very Loud

The signatures below indicate that this job description has been reviewed by the employee with the supervisor.

________________________________ _______________________________ _________

Employee Name (Print) Employee Signature Date

_______________________________ ______________________________ ___________

Supervisor Name (Print) Supervisor Signature Date

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. This job description is not intended to create any express or implied contract of employment or expectancy of continued employment for any definite term.

Supervision: Reports to Principal; non-supervisory position

Job Classification: Exempt, Benefits Eligible

Benefits: The Montezuma-Cortez School District offers employees a wide range of competitive, cost-effective benefits.Reviewourbenefits guide for detailed information.

NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE

Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 does not discriminate against any protected classes as identified by the State of Colorado. A lack of English speaking skills will not be a barrier to participation or admission. The following staff have been designated to handle inquiries regarding our nondiscrimination policies:

Title IX Coordinator and Compliance Officer (Title II/ADA, Title VI)

Justin Schmitt, Executive Director of Human Resources

400 North Elm Street, Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-7522 ext. 1135

[e-mail]

504 Compliance Officer (Section 504)

Lisa Megel, Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services

400 North Elm Street, Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-7522 ext. 1118

[e-mail]

M-CSD RE-1 School Governance Policies can be found on our website at:

www.cortez.k12.co.us/our-district/board-of-education/policies

CLÁUSULA DE NO DISCRIMINACIÓN

El Distrito Escolar Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 no discrimina contra ninguna clase protegida identificada por el Estado de Colorado. La falta de habilidades para hablar inglés no será una barrera para la participación o la admisión. El siguiente personal ha sido designado para atender consultas sobre nuestras políticas de no discriminación:

Coordinador del Título IX Oficial de Cumplimiento (Título II/ADA, Título VI)

Justin Schmitt, Director Ejecutivo de Recursos Humanos

400 Calle Elm Norte, Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-7522 extensión 1135

[e-mail]

504 Oficial de Cumplimiento (Sección 504)

Lisa Megel, Directora Ejecutiva de Servicios para Estudiantes Excepcionales

400 Calle Elm Norte, Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-7522 extensión 1118

[e-mail]

Las políticas de gobierno escolar de M-CSD RE-1 se pueden encontrar en nuestro sitio web en:

www.cortez.k12.co.us/our-district/board-of-education/policies

11.28.23 DKR

__________________________________________________________________________________

Referenced Policies: AC, AC-E-1, AC-R (Option 1), AC-R-2*, JB, JBA, JBA-E, JBB*, JII-R

NOTE: Federal law requires districts to provide continuing notification of non-discrimination statements and the Title IX coordinator’s contact information. This information must be published in student, parent, and employee handbooks, course catalogs, program/employee application forms, and recruitment materials. 34 C.F.R. § 106.8.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $50,000 to $67,000 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Amy MacBean
• Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1
• Cortez, Colorado 81321
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]