English Language Arts Teacher

Thank you for your interest in joining DSST Public Schools for the 2027–28 school year! Please note that final interviews for these positions are expected to begin by February 2027. If you have questions or need to be considered on a different timeline, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Talent Team at [email protected]. We're excited to learn more about you throughout the hiring process!

POSITION: English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher 

GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION: Multiple DSST Public Schools locations across Denver and Aurora, Colorado. View current openings. We encourage you to apply even if your preferred position is not yet listed, as additional opportunities may become available throughout the hiring season.

SALARY: $60,000–$78,000 based on up to 10 years of aligned experience. We also offer a relocation stipend for candidates moving from 75 miles or more outside Denver!

STATUS: Full-time, school-year, benefits-eligible, exempt, in-person position

START: Late July 2027, beginning with new staff training. View the school-year calendar.

Inspire a Love of Reading. Develop Critical Thinkers. Amplify Student Voices.

At DSST Public Schools, we believe great literature helps students understand themselves, explore diverse perspectives, and make sense of the world. Our ELA classrooms build a love of reading alongside the writing, communication, and critical thinking skills students need for college and beyond.

As an English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, you'll help students move beyond basic comprehension to analyze complex texts, develop interpretations, and defend their ideas through discussion and writing. In courses using the Novel ELA curriculum, students engage deeply with full-length books, building reading stamina and analytical skills through a shared, rigorous instructional approach.

Why Teach ELA at DSST?

• Build a Love of Literature: Help students engage deeply with full-length novels and diverse perspectives, develop their own interpretations, and discover the power of reading.
• Teach with Novel ELA: Rather than relying primarily on isolated reading passages, use a research-grounded curriculum built around whole books, close reading, text-based discussion, and analytical writing. With provided lessons, exemplars, and instructional resources, you can focus on preparing and facilitating excellent instruction. Explore the Novel ELA curriculum.
• Join a Team Committed to Literacy Excellence: Collaborate with educators who analyze student work, refine instructional practices, and drive strong reading and writing growth.

What ELA Courses Does DSST Offer?

DSST provides shared curriculum resources to support consistent, high-quality instruction. Novel ELA is used in applicable courses, with separate curriculum resources for Composition and AP offerings.

Middle School (Grades 6–8): Students take grade-level Reading and Writing courses featuring novels, short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and analytical writing. Some positions may include grade-level literacy intervention.

High School ELA (Grades 9–12)

• 9th Grade: Composition and Humanities
• 10th Grade: English II
• 11th Grade: English III and AP English Language and Composition
• 12th Grade: Senior English, AP English Language and Composition, and AP English Literature and Composition

Teaching assignments vary by campus and position. We'll ask about your grade-level, course, and campus preferences during the interview process.

See ELA Teaching in Action at DSST!

• Meet an ELA Teacher Who Knows the Power of Words: Learn how high school ELA Teacher and published poet Chad Heltzel brings his passion for literature and writing into the classroom.
• Meet DSST's High-Growth 7th-Grade ELA Team: See how teacher collaboration supports exceptional student growth.
• Explore Excellence in Middle School ELA: Discover the instructional practices behind strong reading and writing outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Deliver Rigorous ELA Instruction: Intellectually prepare and teach approximately 3–5 classes daily using shared curriculum resources, complex texts, and culturally responsive practices.
• Develop Critical Readers & Writers: Guide students through close reading, purposeful annotation, evidence-based discussion, and analytical writing that strengthen comprehension and critical thinking.
• Prepare & Respond to Student Thinking: Develop lesson exemplars, anticipate interpretations and misconceptions, monitor student work, and provide targeted feedback to deepen understanding.
• Support Student Growth: Use assessments and student work to differentiate instruction and support diverse learners, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
• Build a Positive Classroom Culture: Create an inclusive environment where students feel valued, engage with diverse perspectives, and confidently express their ideas.
• Collaborate & Grow Professionally: Participate in regular coaching, curriculum-focused professional development, and collaboration to strengthen your teaching practice.
• Contribute to Your School Community: Build relationships with students and families and support schoolwide initiatives, which may include advisory, tutoring, or student recruitment. Explore additional responsibilities.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in any field.
• Demonstrated content knowledge meeting applicable in-field qualifications. Learn more about qualification options.
• A strong belief in every student's ability to succeed and pursue ambitious postsecondary goals.
• A commitment to educational equity, culturally responsive instruction, and continuous professional growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching or supporting middle or high school students.
• Strong knowledge of literature, writing instruction, and standards-aligned literacy practices.
• Experience facilitating close reading, text-based discussion, and analytical writing.
• Experience differentiating instruction and using student work to support growth.
• Experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including students of color, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners.
• Colorado teaching credential (preferred but not required for most opportunities).

We know great ELA Teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences! If you're passionate about helping students discover the power of reading, writing, and their own voices but have questions about your qualifications or licensure eligibility, please reach out to our Talent Team at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Please note: The DSST Talent Team replies to every application. If you haven’t heard from us by the indicated timeline, please check your spam folder first. If you don’t see an email there, reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re committed to providing an exceptional candidate experience.

Application Timeline

This is an evergreen position, meaning DSST Public Schools recruits for this role on an ongoing basis to support current and anticipated hiring needs across our network. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates may be contacted for interviews as opportunities become available.

For positions with a defined hiring timeline, the anticipated application deadline will be listed at the top of the job posting.

Who We Are

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.

We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

Our Impact

• 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
• 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
• 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
• 95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people 

Why Work at DSST?

At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.

• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
• Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
• Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
• Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.

Learn more about ourQuantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.

Employment Classification & PERA Participation

DSST Public Schools participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Unless otherwise stated in the position title or posting, all roles are full-time and are designated as PERA-covered positions. Candidates should review their individual circumstances and ensure they are able to accept employment in a PERA-covered role prior to applying.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not exclude participation in, deny benefits to, or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, or genetic information. We also prohibit retaliation for filing a complaint, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in any investigation or proceeding.

DSST is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing these duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and may spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, or kneeling. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds and have sufficient hand and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.