Innovation Specialist, Part-Time Math Teacher, and Part-Time Science Teacher, Ricks Center for Gifted Children

University of Denver•Denver, CO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year. The position will work fewer than 1000 hours in 2026 and fewer than 1000 hours in 2027. Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary school serving the needs of gifted children since 1984. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 75 students ranging from three years of age through middle school, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning needs. Located on the campus of the University of Denver, the Ricks Center offers a progressive model of education focused on developing the intellectual, social, emotional, creative and physical needs of the gifted child. Our diverse student body benefits from small class size, expert teachers, a wide range of content offerings, cutting edge instructional practices, integrated curriculum, and a focus on community, care and engagement. The Ricks Center invites applications for one or more non-benefited teachers to support us in our final year, August 2026 – June 2027. The pay range for these non-benefited positions is $25.00 - $30.00 / hour, based on qualifications and expertise. Specific hours and days are open to negotiation. One person may apply to perform multiple non-benefitted roles, however, there is a hard limit of 1000 hours in Fall of 2026 and 1000 hours in Spring of 2027 (No more than 2000 hours from August 17, 2026 – June 1, 2027). In your cover letter, please specify which position(s) you are interested in. View the 2026-2027 Ricks School Calendar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eok9iBx2e3jJ6_Mi9r8XBvvNXFboPyTN/view

Requirements

Good classroom management, for students ages 3 – 13
Good classroom management, for students ages 6 – 13
Required, expertise in teaching mathematics up to Algebra II
Highly reliable and consistent with attendance and performance
Required, expertise in teaching science
Highly reliable and consistent with attendance and performance
3+ years teaching experience
Candidates should hold degrees (preferably advanced degrees) in STEM education or in a STEM-related field, such as science, engineering, computer science, engineering education, educational technology, or mathematics.

Nice To Haves

Up to Geometry, preferred
Elementary science or biology experience

Responsibilities

Teaching courses in grades PreK-8 that feature project-based learning, particularly related to robotics, First Lego challenges, programming, and 3-D printing
Collaborating with other teachers on such projects
Facilitating students hands-on learning
Promote, conceptualize, and coordinate design and innovation projects throughout the curriculum and school
Managing the innovation lab
Supporting professional development of colleagues
Supervising independent student projects
Providing supplemental support for all technology within the school
Ensure that technological resources, both physical and online, are well maintained and can be implemented safely by students and faculty
Explore trends and help to enable technology integration in teaching and learning
Create, maintain and operate an Innovation Lab
Coordinate professional development in project-based learning across disciplines
Identify and disseminate STEM-related award opportunities to students and faculty
Collaborate with advancement staff to identify and respond to STEM-related external funding opportunities
Independently provide desktop support to Ricks staff and students, and maintain all school technology
Work with the University IT department to purchase and inventory software and technology hardware (including but not limited to computers, printers, etc..) and deploy to staff
Teach assigned courses, differentiating instruction for gifted and twice-exceptional students
Foster a creative learning environment with strong classroom management
Collaborate with other teachers to support school-wide initiatives
Be professional and treat colleagues, students, and families with respect and kindness
Teach 1-3 math sections each week to elementary and middle school students
Teach 1-3 science sections each week to elementary and middle school students, and occasionally to early childhood students