Gifted Specialist - Desert Shadows ES

Job Description

Starting Date: Jul 27, 2026

Location: Desert Shadows Elementary School

FTE: 1.0

Non-Interim Position

Dates: 7/27/2026 - 5/27/2027

Purpose Statement: The job of Gifted Specialist is to provide instruction to gifted students in grades 4-6 in Mathematics and Language Arts, and provide assistance and training to gifted cluster teachers at the site with specific responsibility for supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction with established curriculum guidelines;

collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students’ parents or guardians regarding instructional program and student progress.

This job reports to Site Administrator and Director of Gifted Education.

• Provide instruction to gifted identified students in grades 4-6 in Mathematics and Language Arts
• Work with Director of Gifted Education to support the goals of the Gifted Education Department
• Attend Gifted Specialist in services
• Oversee nomination for gifted testing at school level
• Preside over the monthly gifted cluster teacher meetings
• Provide staff development opportunities at the school level
• Attend district staff development opportunities as related to gifted education
• Gather data for program evaluation purposes
• Administers subject specific assessments, etc. for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations; student’s achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan
• Counsels students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, problem solving techniques and a variety of personal issues
• Demonstrates pedagogical approaches that engage learners for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements
• Differentiates classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning within established lesson plans
• Facilitates student learning for the purpose of achieving success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through defined lesson plans
• Instructs students for the purpose of improving their success in academics through a defined course of study
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment
• Organizes age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities for the purpose of ensuring student participation in learning activities
• Participates on PLC team for the purpose of reviewing data and instructional practices
• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. staff, district, IEPs, 504s, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions
• Participates in a variety of written materials (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behaviors, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution
• Responds to inquiries for a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction

Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job descriptions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software…