Posted: 05-Jun-25
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: Full Time
Salary: 55,000 - 85,000
Categories:
Required Education:
Position Overview
Graland Country Day School is seeking a Lower School Spanish teacher with experience in elementary classrooms. The Lower School Spanish program provides students with a linguistic foundation and instills a positive attitude toward future language studies. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade engage in thematic units and learn through songs, games, and interactive lessons. The Lower School Spanish teachers are responsible for leading the elementary World Language instructional program, which includes, but is not limited to, planning, developing, implementing, assessing and monitoring the Spanish curriculum.
Reports to: Head of Lower School
Terms: Full-time, exempt, school year, starts August 2025
Primary Responsibilities
Lower School Spanish teachers work with a range of grade levels from kindergarten through fourth grade and are members of the world language department. The Lower School experience at Graland calls for teachers to recognize that working with this age group requires a variety of roles, and a high level of energy and enthusiasm from its faculty.
The following list is not comprehensive of all tasks of the position, but serves as a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.
Planning and Preparation:
Graland teachers are well versed in the subjects they teach and effectively use different instructional approaches to cultivate student understanding of the subjects.
- Demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy
- Demonstrates knowledge of students
- Treats students equitably, recognizing the individual differences that distinguish students from one another
- Selects instructional goals that lead to attainment of grade level goals
- Acts on the belief that all students can learn and succeed
- Demonstrates knowledge of resources
- Appropriately uses technology tools to enhance instruction
- Employs varied resources to provide instruction using different modalities
- Designs coherent instruction
- Understands how students develop and learn and incorporates prevailing theories of cognition and intelligence into their practice
- Reflects solid understanding of content, students, and available resources
- Assesses student learning
- Assesses and keeps records on the progress of individual students as well as the class as a whole
- Employs multiple methods for assessing student growth
- Uses assessment to drive instruction
- Collaborates with team to organize grade level field trips that directly support learning goals
The Classroom Environment:
Graland teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
- Creates an environment of respect and rapport
- Shows respect for student levels of development
- Promotes respectful interaction between students
- Employs the Responsive Classroom approach in the classroom
- Establishes a culture for learning
- Maintains high expectations for student learning and interactions among individuals
- Establishes and consistently reinforces clear standards for student conduct
- Manages classroom procedures
- Balances managing student behavior with fostering student ownership for managing their own behavior
- Organizes physical space
Instruction:
Graland teachers are committed to students and their learning.
- Communicates clearly and accurately
- Possesses a rich understanding of subject matter and is able to deliver it in a clear manner
- Understands how knowledge in their subjects is created, organized, linked to other disciplines and applied to real-world settings
- Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness
- Adjusts instruction on the basis of observation and knowledge of students’ interest, abilities and background knowledge
- Uses questioning and discussion techniques
- Develops the critical and analytical capabilities of their students
- Engages students in learning
- Dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all students
- Provides feedback to students
- Promotes student reflection on learning to solidify understanding
Professional Responsibility:
Graland teachers are members of learning communities and think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
- Reflects on teaching
- Maintains accurate records
- Communication
- Writes cohesive, concise report cards
- Clearly explains student performance to students, parents and administrators with progress reports, conferences, and other classroom communications
- Contributes to the school
- Participates in school activities and responsibilities beyond the classroom (i.e.: duties, coaching, trips, etc.)
- Collaborates with colleagues
- Participates in professional learning communities
- Provides relevant input and ideas for grade level initiatives
- Grows and develops professionally
- Participates in professional development opportunities to ensure continued professional growth and to forward the school’s mission
- Shows professionalism
- Serves as a role model to students
- Adheres to school rules and regulations as outlined in the employee handbook
- Exhibits high standards of ethical conduct
Professional and Personal Qualities
- A collaborative and supportive member of the Graland Community who…
- Models caring, respect, patience, and appreciation of differences
- Provides a safe environment for students
- Recognizes the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) work and continues growth as a culturally responsive educator
- Represents the school in position and in community
- Participates in effective communication that is responsible, descriptive, and non-judgmental.
- Demonstrates a growth mindset, open to feedback and new learning
- Supports collective efforts of the school in addition to team responsibilities
- Upholds school, employee and family confidentiality as well as adhering to all school policies and procedures
- Believes in an educational approach that is aligned with the Graland mission and philosophy
- Encompasses interpersonal skills and collaborates with colleagues. Has the ability to motivate, support and lead others
- Builds positive relationships with students by demonstrating respect and care, while creating a safe environment that promotes intellectual risk-taking
- Fosters a learning environment that inspires active student participation, curiosity, and initiative
- Utilizes a variety of instructional approaches to engage students
- Possesses strong organization and communication skills
- Approaches situations with flexibility and creative thinking to identify solutions
- Understands the big picture and requires planning for seamless execution
Qualifications
- An experienced educator, preferably with elementary-aged students
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Fluent in Spanish (native or near-native speaker)
- Has familiarity with standard and best practices for learning languages
- Brings experience with the integration of Spanish and other disciplines for units of study at each grade level
- Exhibits the knowledge and ability to understand and develop positive attitudes towards cultural differences and the skills for communication and interaction across cultures.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with students, faculty, administration, and parents/guardians
- Willingness and ability to pursue ongoing professional development opportunities
- Demonstrates ease with technology programs and tools to engage learners
About Graland
A great school never sits still. It keeps going, growing and evolving. Graland Country Day School is an independent school in Denver that serves students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Since the school’s founding in 1927, Graland has delivered an intellectually robust, character-based educational experience derived from current research about how children learn.
While so much in the world is changing, the school’s focus remains the same: Graland is faithful to the enduring aspects of its mission while seeking new ways to promote character and intellectual excellence. We inspire students to pursue excellence with passion and intent - academically, creatively and in their personal growth as engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders so that they learn to value individual differences and divergent thinking. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our program and keep it relevant for the next generation of students. Guided by our mission, values, Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Philosophy Statement and strategic plan, we go to extraordinary lengths to give children the best education possible.
Our current enrollment totals 700, and we have just over 100 faculty members, 70 percent of whom have advanced degrees. Graland’s faculty and staff enjoy a collaborative, supportive environment where each member is encouraged to be a lifelong learner. Professional development, onsite childcare, a desirable location in the heart of Denver and other benefits make Graland a dynamic, inclusive and innovative workplace.
Our Mission
Achieve intellectual excellence,
build strong character,
enrich learning through the arts and athletics,
and prepare our students to be
engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders.
Our Motto: Ascende Omnem Montem - Climb Every Mountain
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Salary is between $55,000-$85,000. Benefits include professional development, employer-paid health, vision, dental and life insurance, paid time off for school holidays and school vacations, as well as participation in a retirement plan. Daily free lunch, access to an on-campus workout facility and opportunities based on availability for subsidized on-site childcare.
Graland Country Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Graland Country Day School to comply fully with all laws barring discrimination against employees, or applicants, for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, military discharge status or physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, discipline, demotion, rates of pay or other compensation, employee benefits, tuition assistance programs and termination of employment.
(revised 06/04/2025)
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