Mandarin Teacher and Researcher

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 Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and, at Middle School, French. DLS offers traditional learning activities in the target language, making the language both the medium and the object of instruction.

Gilpin Campus -  Teacher & Researcher (Mandarin - 195 day employee)

Fixed Term, Full-Time Position, Denver Language School - Gilpin Campus
2949 California St. Denver, CO 80205

Denver Language School (DLS) is a public, tuition-free language immersion charter school located in Denver. DLS provides an innovative academic program to reach the highest levels of student achievement through comprehensive language immersion education in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and French for middle school. DLS is a unique learning environment because students are learning content in the target language, spending between 50%-90% of their school day immersed in their chosen language. 

For SY25-26 and SY26-27, possibly renewed into SY27-28 we have a vacancy for a limited-term Teacher Researcher Mandarin Program to be placed at the Gilpin Campus. Primarily, the appointee must serve as a full-time teacher of record within Denver Language School teaching either Grade 7 or Grade 8 in our Mandarin immersion programming. Supplementally, we require an individual willing to invest significant time and skill into collecting, analysing and evaluating student data across target language and English on behalf of the newly-appointed Director of Assessment, Learning and Teaching (Annie Trujillo). Fundamentally, the person we are seeking for is a master-teacher with demonstrated professional experience and excellence in working with a range of multilingual learners particularly within an immersion context. Of particular note is our interest in appointing educators who have prior experience working in immersion programs, possess a strong understanding of the Mandarin curriculum, and can support alignment with other language programs at DLS. Candidates should also have a background in research-based dual language immersion (DLI) curriculum, assessments, and intervention programs such as Level Learning, Avant, and Better Immersion. This candidate should demonstrate strong understanding and implementation of effective interventions and demonstration of accelerated student growth.  Furthermore, we would particularly encourage applicants with significant experience with achievement monitoring software, such as Educlimber or Seesaw applying to the role.

The selected candidate will begin work at DLS on August 5, 2025 and their pay will begin on August 20, 2025. This is a year round position requiring 195 days service. The employee’s direct supervisor will be the Middle  School Principal; however, the appointee will be required to serve on ad hoc working committees at the request of the Head of Programme and/or Director of Assessment, Learning and Teaching. Additional duties include 6 days of academic enrichment camp instruction over the course of the school year, and/or summer camp programming; and supporting new teacher professional learning in August and throughout the school year under the direction of the Head of Mandarin Programme.  

The vacancy will remain open until June 15 or until filled;

Pay and Benefits:

• This is a new-vacancy at Denver Language School. Employees for this role will be compensated in the range of $70,000 to $80,000 for a fixed two year period, a third year of this vacancy will be reviewed by the Director of Assessment, Learning and Teaching and contingent upon successful completion of goals and objectives in line with the school’s strategic goals;
• 10 days of PTO with an option to roll up to 6 days to the following school year;
• Weekly professional development training and early student release each Friday;
• Health insurance subsidized by DLS that starts on the 1st of the month after the start date;
• Short term disability, term life insurance policies, and employee assistance program;
• Employee and school participation in the PERA retirement program;
• Option to enroll in separate retirement options through Equitable Advisors;
• Opportunities for professional development grants after two years of employment;
• Discounted rates for after-school Fun Clubs for children;
• Employees' children get priority in student enrollment, but there is no guarantee of enrollment due to seat availability;
• Annual classroom budget for teachers to spend on supplies;
• Curriculum coaching and support;

Essential Functions and Objectives

• Serve as Lead Teacher for a full-time allocation of Mandarin grade 7 or 8  instruction at Denver Language School - Gilpin Campus;
• At the direction of the Director of Assessment, Learning and Teaching; support in year-round-programming (Fall, Spring, Summer Camps) in order to best support learners in the programme for a minimum of 6 days per year;
• Teach and further develop appropriate grade level standards based curriculum in Language Arts and/or Social Studies and personal development to diverse middle school students in the target language (Mandarin), following DLS Mandarin program curriculum;  
• 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 students to encourage and support student achievement and successful classroom management through Positive Behavior support and Restorative Practices;  
• Monitor, supervise, coordinate and enforce rule of conduct and behavior assigned students
• 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;
• The appointee is expected to use non-instructional hours during the school day to you work on curriculum development and provide feedback to colleagues on their instruction;
  • Ex: 3-4 times per month during 1 of scheduled planning periods; use this time to work with Head of Language Programme and teachers on grade level priorities/areas of concern; strengthening  vertical skill alignment, design, and instruction across 6th through 8th grade
  • Collaborating with the Head of Language program, lead vertical instructional design strengthening skills alignment and necessary curriculum adjustments 6th through 8th grade
• Model exemplar classroom lessons to colleagues observe your instruction, minimum of 3 peer class observations per year;
• The ability to motivate peers and to develop a DLS community through exemplifying the qualities of collegiality, congeniality and collaboration;
•  Assist with new teacher on-boarding and induction program, including weekly new teacher mentoring;
•  Support individual and small groups of students by providing targeted interventions and  intervention training to colleagues;
• Present subject matter to students by instructing individually and in groups using various active teaching methods (e.g., lectures, technology, discussions), 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;
• Prepare student, attendance and activity reports as required by administrators;
• 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 reasonably assigned by Senior Leadership.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education and/or reasonable equivalent - Official transcripts requested upon hiring- must be translated and evaluated by a NACES member if education is completed outside of the U.S.;
• Strongly preferred: a M.A. degree with a verifiable focus on one of these specific areas: 1. the integration of content and language within the classroom, 2. the effective usage of data-informed instruction in classrooms, 3. the transferability of language A concepts to language B usage in immersion schooling;
• Strongly preferred, a minimum of 10 years lead-teaching experience with a continuous record of in-classroom excellence;
• Strongly preferred: a minimum of 5 years lead-teaching experience in a language immersion school in Colorado;
• Strongly preferred; a current Colorado Department of Education Teachers License with appropriate Language Arts and Social Studies endorsements. If necessary, the appointee must receive appropriate endorsement by means of Praxis within 24 months in order to be eligible for employment beyond summer 2027.

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.