General Description:

Duties are typically performed in a school setting. Performs professional work providing teaching and/or training services to students and staff.  Work requires frequent standing, sitting, walking, light lifting up to 10 pounds, vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level, and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teaches gifted students in grades K-2 and/or 3-5, maintaining a class environment conducive to learning.
• Motivates all students to achieve maximum potential and to ensure achievement of academic goals and objectives.
• Screens and evaluates students for identification as gifted.
• Develops lesson plans and age-appropriate instructional materials and implements individual and group programs for gifted students.
• Translates lesson plans into learning experiences and integrates subject area content and technology.
• Adapts teaching materials and methods to develop relevant sequential assignments that guide and challenge students.
• Develops standards for critical analysis through group discussions.
• Assesses needs of students and evaluates student achievement; provides instruction in individual or group sessions; establishes and maintains standards of behavior.
• Administers standardized tests in accordance with established procedures.
• Encourages students to think independently, develop and express original ideas, and develop independent research skills.
• Evaluates students' progress by maintaining appropriate records and preparing progress reports.
• Communicates with students, student counselors, and parents through conferences and other means.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education and self-selected professional books, instructional materials, and professional affiliations.
• Selects and requisitions books and instructional materials.
• Participates in curriculum development programs, faculty committees, and student activity sponsorship as required.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Virginia teaching license in elementary education.
• An endorsement in Gifted and Talented is preferred. Must obtain an endorsement in Gifted and Talented within two years of employment.
• Must have a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience at the elementary level. Must have excellent communication, organizational, presentation, and public relations skills.
• Some knowledge of and/or teaching experience with gifted and talented students is preferred.
• Must be knowledgeable of creative, innovative, nontraditional teaching strategies that have proven successful with gifted students performing at different educational levels.
• Must be flexible in teaching style and demonstrate an ability to stimulate gifted students, and to encourage the development of concepts and integration of learning.
• Must have an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) and how curriculum can be organized to teach these standards to gifted learners.
• Must be proficient at assessing student progress, planning lessons, devising ways to improve teaching, collaborating with other educators, using the available technology, and acquiring necessary information.
• Must demonstrate the ability to select, adapt, and use instructional materials and resources.
• Must have the ability to use appropriate strategies for assessing, monitoring, and managing student learning.
• The ability to develop critical and creative thinking skills in gifted learners and to recognize and respond to individual differences is essential.
• Must be able to work collaboratively and cooperatively with parents, co-workers, central office staff, and community representatives.
• Must have experience with Windows-based computers and related software applications.
• Bilingual skills, including Spanish, are a plus. 

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, a transcript, and a license if applicable.  Three references' names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process.  Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.