Do you possess the brilliance and innovation to transform the stage into a thrilling adventure for K-8 students? If you thrive on the variety of teaching different age groups daily, pivoting to meet the needs of diverse learners, and being that rare educator who knows and inspires nearly every student in the building, Aspen Academy has an opportunity for you! We believe "specials" are essential to the development of the whole child and are seeking an exceptional Drama Teacher to join our collaborative team for the 2026-2027 school year.

Full Time | Onsite

Starting annual salary $57,172 - $85,634 (based on education & experience step and ladder, max 9 years teaching experience credit) 

Why Aspen Academy?

Located in the southern metro area of beautiful Denver, Colorado, at Aspen Academy, we're not just a school; we're a community committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Our dedication to Next Generation education sets us apart, as we equip students with the enduring life skills they need for future success. We look at learning as a way to ignite the personal passions and interests of each and every student. Our unique leadership, finance, and entrepreneurial development (LiFE) program prepares students for life. Students thrive as they build lasting relationships with peers and teachers through small class sizes and a community focus. 

Our Essentials Program offers performance-based courses that continue to build leadership, confidence and pride for each student. We realize world language, performing arts, visual arts, technology and fitness, along with the academic content classes, create a space for students to grow and learn in all areas of their school life as well as discover their individual passions and gifts.

We embody and promote the community's values in our thoughts, words, and actions, serving as committed and supportive co-leaders in realizing Aspen Academy's vision and mission:

• Our values: Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better.
• Our mission: We edify and inspire students and educators to grow, learn and lead.
• Our vision: We are a national leader in innovative and transformative education.

About Your Role

• You cultivate students’ curiosity, engagement, growth and performance in academic, intellectual, social and emotional domains. 
• You set empathetic limits with students, encourage natural consequences, and foster responsible decision-making in a supportive environment.
• You are a competent, compassionate, creative, dedicated and enthusiastic professional. You are committed to your own growth and improvement. 
• You possess strong instructional pedagogy, in addition to curiosity and expertise in the content to be taught. 
• You are an excellent communicator, both written and verbal. 
• You consistently exhibit strengths in time management and organization, as well as social and emotional intelligence and cultural competency.

What You’ll Do

• Classroom Strategies and Behaviors: Communicate learning goals and feedback, establish rules and procedures; help students interact, practice and deepen new knowledge, and generate and test hypotheses; engage students; recognize adherence to norms and procedures; establish and maintain effective relationships with students; communicate high expectations for all students. Create and maintain a classroom environment aligned with “Love and Logic” Principles.
• Drama Program Design & Instruction: Design and develop a comprehensive drama program, creating daily lesson plans to teach general drama and performing arts to K-8th grade students.
• Theatrical Skill Development & Production: Teach diverse skills including acting, tech theatre, lighting, set/sound design, choreography, and public speaking. Lead middle school students in end-to-end design, development, and production of live programs.  Lead the production of plays and musical theater performances for various age groups. 
• Student Mentorship & Inspiration: Build strong relationships to mentor students, inspiring them to extend their learning through after-school clubs, school plays, and additional performance opportunities.
• Curriculum Differentiation & Integration: Differentiate the drama curriculum to meet the needs of neurodiverse learners and differentiated learning styles, implementation of culturally responsive classrooms, while integrating drama themes with academic domains and core classes.
• Resource Management: Maintain responsibility for school-owned theater equipment to prevent loss or misuse.
• Collegiality and Reflective Professionalism: Evaluate personal performance, develop and implement a professional growth plan, and champion a positive environment that promotes the exchange of innovative ideas. 
• Develop and Maintain Strong, Positive and Productive Partnerships: Communicate proactively, positively and consistently with students, parents, teammates, and our community, fostering a collaborative and supportive community.  Serve as an active, collaborative member of the Essentials team and the broader school community.

What You’ll Love About Us

Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better. These are the values our team embodies day to day. Below are some of the ways in which we’ll promise to value you in your time here:

• Retirement: 403(b) plan with employer matching
• Healthcare: Medical, dental and vision plans with various options to support your unique needs. Free telehealth.
• Wellness: Holistic employee assistance program (EAP) including mental health support. Fitness challenges, gym & yoga discounts, health education, and fun team activities.
• Life Insurance & Voluntary Benefits: Group life insurance and option to enroll in additional voluntary life insurance and other supplemental coverages
• Time-off: Flexible PTO policy
• Career development: Professional development reimbursement program and monthly onsite professional development
• Family Care: Tuition assistance and potential financial aid
• Community: A sense of belonging

Further details about our total compensation package can be found here.

Salary Range: Starting annual salary $57,172 - $85,634 (based on education & experience step and ladder, max 9 years teaching experience credit)

More about Aspen Academy

Aspen Academy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and military and veteran status.

Apply Today!

To join us in our mission to provide an unparalleled education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in a changing world, apply here.

What You’ll Need to Get the Job Done

• Required: Bachelor’s degree. Master's degree preferred. 
• Preferred: Teaching certification
• 3-5 years classroom experience.  Candidates should have lead classroom experience teaching drama and a proven track record of producing plays and musical theater for K-8 age groups, including leading students through live program production.
• Strong foundation in the theatrical arts, acting, tech theatre, lighting, stage and set design, sound design, choreography/movement, and the like.  Knowledgeable about the skills for public speaking, dramatic and musical performances, and creative expression.
• Utilizes the repertoire of all types of performance styles that are appropriate for the age of the student.
• Preferred experience: acting, musical theater, stage craft and/or voice experience.  Speech and debate experience.
• A passion for Next Generation learning. 
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to igniting curiosity, and making learning fun and challenging.
• Agility, adaptability and a high degree of change-readiness.
• Proficient use of computer software, Google Suite and learning management systems (Blackbaud preferred). 
• Grant permission for a criminal background check upon hire. 
• Meet physical demands to perform essential functions of the role.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: Ability to work full-time, including occasional evenings and weekends; work in person/in the school building; speak for long periods of time. Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally life up to 50 pounds.