Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

Free Horizon Montessori, a public school serving children in preschool through 8th grade, is a richly diverse community nestled in the foothills of Golden, Colorado. We are a growing school with more than 475 students and a strong, supportive parent body and passionate, committed faculty. At Free Horizon Montessori PK-8, we value educators who ignite passion, spark curiosity, and inspire children as they learn and grow into responsible global citizens. We are dedicated to supporting students in developing into independent, respectful, and responsible leaders and learners. We view education as a partnership between the student, family, school, and community and seek professionals willing to invest in our pursuit of excellence. Our faculty enjoys a shared leadership model wherein all staff members are encouraged to contribute ideas and incite positive change. Does this strike a chord in you? If you embrace life-long learning, demonstrate maturity, and engage in a collaborative approach to education, we invite you to submit a letter of interest and resume and pursue joining our dynamic team. Free Horizon is Montessori for the 21st Century: a place to learn, a place to belong.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• BA/BS degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• Colorado Teacher License in content area or attain In-Field Status in content area (formerly referred to as Highly Qualified) as defined by state and federal guidelines by passing the appropriate exam as accepted by the Colorado Department of Education. Official documentation of Colorado Teaching License and/or appropriate exam must be submitted prior to offer of employment.
  • The last administration of all PLACE exams and the NES exam was May 6, 2017; passing test scores will be accepted for five years until May 6, 2022, for current, correlating endorsement areas only. Please consult the endorsement page of the Colorado Department of Education website for a list of current and discontinued endorsements.
• Montessori credential from a MACTE-accredited training program at the level of current teaching assignment required of general education classroom Lead Teachers
  • This requirement is waived for Specialist Lead Teachers.
  • This requirement may be waived for general education classroom Lead Teachers at the discretion of the Principal for previous experience in Montessori methodology and a willingness to complete Montessori training/credentialing within a specified period of time from date of hire. Any variance shall be made in writing.
• 3 years of successful lead teaching experience preferred

Montessori Lead Teacher Primary – 24 hours week Starting August 7, 2023 (All PD days required as well)

The Free Horizon Montessori School teacher understands and promotes the school’s mission, vision, objectives, and policies both within and outside the immediate school community. The teacher is responsible for providing a strong Montessori classroom/instructional program that supports the individual needs of each child in accordance with the school’s mission, vision, and District and State policies. Innovation Lead Teachers create lesson plans, instruct students on core subjects .

Desired Start Date: 08/07/2023

Innovation Teacher Elementary
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
.6 FTE with additional PD days

Free Horizon Salary Schedules

**Annual salary noted above is based on an 8 hour day and full days worked calendar. Any position that is less than a full FTE/8 hours per day or late start will be prorated accordingly.

Certain Education Support Professional (ESP) jobs may include the value of holiday pay into the hourly rate. Review the Holiday in Rate column of the Education Support Professional Job Title, Wage Plan, Grade document.

The incumbent must:

• Be a strong, clear communicator, with the ability to speak and write with clarity, correct grammar, empathy, and in a pleasant and timely manner
• Adapt well to change, show flexibility and resourcefulness, and welcome collaboration
• Possess knowledge of Colorado Common Core Content Standards and Montessori lessons, and be able to deliver lessons to successfully engage students in learning these core skills

• Have an ability to creatively and effectively assure Colorado Common Core Standards are met within a Montessori context and approach
• Maintain consistent composure and the ability to remain calm and professional in the midst of chaos and regular interruptions
• Address challenges with maturity, seeking support as appropriate
• Be organized with attention to details and aesthetics
• Show evidence of successful effective classroom management
• Possess strong computer skills with ability to learn and work proficiently within varying software environments including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, Infinite Campus and Jeffco Connect, and other Montessori programs and assessment systems

Full Job Description

Important Notice Regarding Licensed Positions

Job Status: Ongoing
A successful external applicant will be issued a probationary contract. A successful internal applicant that currently holds a probationary or non-probationary contract with Jeffco Public Schools will maintain that contract status.

Free Horizon Salary Schedules

Jeffco Benefits

Free Horizon Is a Jeffco Site

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Free Horizon Montessori affirms that no person shall, on the basis of race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity, including, but not limited to, employment or enrollment. Sexual orientation is a person's orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or perception of the individual's sexual orientation.