Teacher - Gifted

Downingtown-Area-School-District; Downingtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Telemedicine

Employee Assistance Program

PSERS retirement

Student loan forgiveness

Job summary

Downingtown Area School District seeks a certified Gifted Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year at Uwchlan Hills Elementary. This full-time, permanent role focuses on enriching content for gifted students in a collaborative, inclusive environment.

The position requires Pennsylvania certification, a relevant degree, and strong collaboration with staff to support individualized education plans and district goals. Comprehensive benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Candidate must hold Pennsylvania certification for the position.
• Graduate of an accredited college or university.
• Proficiency in use of technology for instruction and communication.

Responsibilities

• Provides instruction and support to gifted education students per their GIEP.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials to address individual needs.
• Coordinates services with district staff and regular education teachers to support the program.
• Collects and communicates data, and monitors progress for caseload students.
• Participates in Multidisciplinary team and GIEP meetings.

Skills

Gifted education

Collaboration

Communication

Technology use

Education

Pennsylvania certification

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• Position Type:
  Teacher - Elementary/ Gifted
  
• Date Posted:
  8/27/2026
  
• Date Available:
  ASAP
  

Are you passionate about helping ALL students learn in a collaborative environment? If so, we may have the career for you! Downingtown Area School District is excited to announce an opening foracertified Gifted teacherfor the 2026-2027school year. Thispositionis for afull-time, permanent contract and is located at Uwchlan Hills Elementary. At DASD, we are committed to sharing values of diversity and inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence in education. As a diverse district, we continually seek ways to strengthen our educational environment. We believe that we can best promote excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse group of staff who bring various backgrounds and perspectives. Our ability to create and maintain a climate of respect is critical to attaining the best teaching and learning environment.

• Communicate openly to build relationships and trust
• Partner with team members to see the TEAM succeed
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and seek ongoing opportunities for growth
• Embrace and support a safe and inclusive environment
• Eagerly and enthusiastically support student learning
• Strive to be kind and reflective
• Focus on the solution and put people first
• Lead by example!

Job Summary

To present clear, high quality, flexible, and appropriate enrichment of content knowledge to students through planning and preparation, in a safe and supportive classroom environment, by providing ongoing communication and engaging instructional delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

(Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Provides instruction and support to gifted education students in accordance with their gifted individualized education program (GIEP).
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials to address students' individual needs.
• Works cooperatively with district staff, including regular education teachers to coordinate student's program and provide appropriate level of support.
• Coordinates services for students on caseload by being the case manager and preparing all essential documents and other documents, adhering to timelines.
• Collects and effectively communicates data and provides ongoing progress monitoring for students on their caseload.
• Participates actively as part of the Multidisciplinary team and facilitates GIEP meetings.
• Provides staff development to professional staff and support staff on particular needs of students on caseload.
• Attends scheduled Gifted Education Department meetings and professional development.
• Adheres to district policies and procedures.
• Adheres to professional, ethical, and legal standards.

Qualifications

(Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and hold a proper Pennsylvania certification for the position.
• The employee in this position could be required as part of his or her duties to engage in activities that can be charged to a Medical Assistance or other state or federal healthcare program. Clearance as provider under such programs by both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government is therefore an essential qualification for this position.
• Possesses a positive attitude toward the teaching profession, service to the district, and importance and purpose of the education program.
• Proficiency in use of technology for individual or group demonstration or communication.
• Must be able to flex and vary hours to accommodate needs of students, parents, and other teachers.
• Possesses effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, and outside organizations.
• Exhibits excellent classroom management skills.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills to provide accurate information to others and to obtain, give, and follow directions.
• Demonstrates ability to provide good judgment, planning, and human relations skills, as well as be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility.
• Must successfully complete and maintain compliance with all federal and state background and criminal record check requirements
  • Click here for more information about required clearances
• Candidate must adhere to all local, state, federal, and school code requirements for employment

Salary 2026-2027 School Year

Placement upon salary scale is dependent upon education and years of teaching service.

Schedule

7.5 hours per day based upon district-approved calendar

Up to 191 days per year, plus up to 3 days of orientation for professional employees during first year of employment

Summary of Benefits

Select Health Benefits a la carte - Only pay for what you need

• Medical Coverage through IBX - Personal Choice C4-F4-02
  • No Primary Care Physician necessary
  • No referrals required
  • IBC has extensive local and national networks
• Prescription Coverage through CVS/Caremark
• Allows use of in-network and out-of-network providers
• Vision Coverage - Vision Benefits of America (VBA)

Eligibility - No Waiting Period

All employees may enroll in the district's health benefit plans effective with their date of hire into the benefit eligible position.

Eligible Dependents

A legally married spouse as defined by PA law and children up to age 26 may enroll in the District's health benefit plans.

New Hires or Newly Eligible

You have 31 days from the date that you are benefit eligible to make your elections. If you do not make elections during this time, you will only be enrolled into any benefit that is provided by the District at no cost to you.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to elect to participate in a Flexible Spending Account. DASD offers both a Healthcare Spending Account and Dependent Care Spending Account. This benefit allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out of pocket eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Support for the Whole You

Up to 6 free visits per calendar year with a registered dietitian.

• Employee Assistance Program
  • Health Advocate is a free, confidential program that offers EAP+ Work/Life benefits to help you address difficulties in your life by providing short term assistance with personal, family, and work issues. In addition, it simplifies the navigation of the health care system by helping you find the right doctors, resolving billing and insurance claim issues, explaining benefit coverages, helping your parents or in-laws with the complexities of Medicare, and much more!
• The telemedicine benefit through SwiftMD is offered to ALL DASD employees at no cost to you. The telemedicine benefit allows for consultations with US board-certified doctors over the phone or online, from your home, office, or on the road. These physicians can diagnose, recommend treatment, and submit prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice.

Retirement - Member of State Pension System (PSERS)

As a PSERS member, you'll join with over a half million fellow public school employees who are also members. You'll contribute to your own personal PSERS retirement account and have a safe and secure benefit payment(s) from one of the largest public retirement plans in the nation.

Student Loan Forgiveness

All DASD employees are eligible to apply for loan forgiveness through the federal government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Find out more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Life Benefit

Pays 1 x your basic annual salary up to maximum of $50,000

Income Protection Benefit

Pays 60% of your basic monthly pay, up to $2,800 per month

Tuition Reimbursement

75% of tuition if grade if B or better is attained; limit 12 credits per year.

Induction Program

• Assigned mentor for additional support
• Collaboration meetings with curriculum leader, grade level leader, or supervisor(s)
• New hire faculty meetings with principal(s)

Professional Development

8 staff professional development days per year

Paid Time Off

• 10 sick days annually
• 2 personal days annually; may accumulate up to 5