Talented and Gifted (TAG) Teacher

Talented & Gifted (TAG) Teacher

The Talented and Gifted (TAG) Teacher is responsible for ensuring that learners who have formally been identified as Talented and Gifted receive appropriate academic rigor, depth, and social-emotional support across grades 3-8. The position designs and delivers direct specialized instruction, coordinates all district TAG testing and identification processes, facilitates enrichment opportunities both during and after school hours, and serves as an expert resource for classroom teachers to ensure appropriate differentiation and higher-level thinking experiences across schools.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Identification & Program Coordination
• Coordinate and manage all district TAG testing, screening, and identification processes in cooperation with building administrators and teachers.
• Analyze multiple identification criteria, including standardized test scores, universal screeners, cognitive assessments, and student work portfolios, ensuring equitable practices across diverse student populations.
• Coordinate, plan, and facilitate enrichment opportunities for gifted and high-ability students both during and after school hours.
• Maintain accurate program records, student rosters, testing schedules, and compliance files.
• Direct Instruction & Advanced Learning
• Provide direct instruction to identified students in grades 3-8 using flexible, individualized, and enriching curriculum tailored to meet each gifted pupil's unique learning needs.
• Design and facilitate interdisciplinary units, pull-out seminars, and push-in learning experiences focused on higher-order thinking skills, creative problem-solving, and critical analysis.
• Integrate educational technology and digital platforms to support independent student research, creative projects, and academic presentations.
• Provide targeted guidance and social-emotional support to help gifted students navigate perfectionism, asynchronous development, and peer dynamics.
• Classroom Teacher Consultation & Capacity Building
• Serve as a primary resource person for regular classroom teachers, providing materials, instructional methods, and differentiation ideas to ensure appropriate educational experiences for gifted students in mainstream classrooms.
• Work in conjunction with regular classroom teachers to deliver direct instruction in higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills for all students.
• Assist teachers with curriculum compacting, tiering, and accelerating content.
• Collaboration, Communication & Community
• Facilitate frequent, ongoing, and transparent communication with TAG students, parents/guardians, classroom teachers, school administrators, and community stakeholders.
• Organize showcase events, academic competitions, or exhibitions highlighting student independent research and creative accomplishments.
• Actively participate in district/building teams (e.g., SRBI/MTSS, 504, PPT) as a resource for twice-exceptional (2e) students who display both high ability and learning needs.
• Professional Conduct & Compliance
• Perform any other TAG-related duties or responsibilities as assigned or required by the Assistant Superintendent.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of student records and testing data in compliance with FERPA.
• Comply with state regulations, district safety procedures, and Connecticut mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting laws (C.G.S. 17a-101).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Strong commitment to gifted education and deep knowledge of the developmental and social-emotional needs of gifted learners. Ability to individualize instruction and make effective use of specialized techniques for teaching gifted students. Demonstrated expertise in curriculum compacting, depth/complexity frameworks, project-based learning, and higher-level thinking skill instruction. Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships with classroom teachers, administrators, and families.

Strong organizational skills to manage multi-site logistics, testing schedules, and enrichment events across intermediate and middle school levels.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited…