Employment
Please read below, then follow the Application Details Link to pursue job opportunities at CCS!
Please check back frequently as openings become available.
CRESTONE CHARTER SCHOOL
The Crestone Charter School is located in the small, rural town of Crestone Colorado, tucked into the western foothills of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range, in the northeastern corner of the San Luis Valley. Crestone is an open-minded, adventurously unique, isolated, and tight-knit community with a population of 1,200 residents. The Charter School is a centerpiece of this community, and as such, the faculty and staff have a shared and very public sense of responsibility for creating and maintaining the highest standards in education. Meanwhile, we are also an awesome place to work, with a focus on the virtues of respect, integrity, and creativity. We strive to foster a healthy work environment including providing professional development and growth opportunities. The Crestone Charter School is an equal-opportunity employer.
School Social Worker (or school counselor)
Upper Elementary Teacher ~ Multi-age 4/5 classroom.
Our new teacher
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forges strong mentor relationships with students.
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teaches Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
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provides strong early literacy and math education and interventions.
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differentiates instruction, supports special education services, and meets each student’s needs.
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Teaches experientially, in class and outdoors, and leads travel learning adventures.
Job Description:
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Have a deep understanding and experience in elementary literacy and math education
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Be able to differentiate and individualize learning plans to cater to student needs
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Utilize data to drive instructional planning and to develop interventions
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Create lesson plans that go beyond the scope of the textbook and even the classroom (experiential learning)
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Plan, facilitate, and implement in-state or out-of-state trips
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Must hold a valid driver’s license and be prepared to learn to drive a 12-passenger van or activity bus.
Job Qualifications Preferences:
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Previous teaching experience, teacher licensure, or willingness to complete a teacher certification program
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Have previous experience with elementary education
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Knowledge and excitement about experiential learning
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Willing to engage in outdoor activities at high altitude such as winter sports and swimming
School Social Worker (or school counselor)
Crestone Charter School seeks a School Social Worker (or school counselor) who is licensed or seeking licensure (interns encouraged). Applicants should have a broad systems approach to student services for our K-12 population of approximately 95 students. Successful applicants will have excellent communication, listening, writing, and organizational skills, and be proficient in using Google Drive. Candidates will be an active member of an innovative and motivated professional team in a school that emphasizes differentiated instruction through child-centered approaches and student-directed learning.
K-12 Duties Include
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Delivering evidenced-based character education, curriculum, interventions, and strategies, in grades K-8, to develop life skills, Social-Emotional Learning, resilience, and global citizenship
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Coordinating and leading regular, exciting parent engagement events (mental health, substances, parenting)
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Expanding attendance initiatives and supports for students and families
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Coordinating our Parent Guided Instruction process to support extended student absences
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Facilitating McKinney-Vento Homeless support
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Coordinating Multi-Tiered Systems of Support teams for student needs within Response to Intervention Process.
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Participating in and enhancing the creation of a holistic school and classroom culture
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Tracking incidents and responses, including facilitating staff, student, and family solution finding
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Establishing Peer-mediation and Student Councils to encourage student voice and choice
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Implementing Restorative Practices in Education (RPE) in collaboration with the Alamosa Center for RP
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Making referrals to in-house community counseling, public health services, and academic resources as needed
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Assisting the School and District with state reports through ALMA
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Attending weekly/monthly Staff Meetings including leading topical staff Professional Development
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Participating in Professional Development Opportunities, including IIRP/RPE training
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Participating in all-school and classroom daily or extended field trips and other learning adventures
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Occasionally driving a 12 passenger van or activity bus (clean driving and insurance record)
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Collaborating on evidenced-based curricula at the secondary level that specifically reduce risk factors and increase protective factors while promoting healthy lifestyle choices inc. substances, relationships, etc
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Supporting English Language Learners, Special Education students, Gifted and Talented students, and teachers
This position is part of a Student Support Team which also provides the following:
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Administering and reporting on the School Health Professionals Grant, coordinating with the San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group and Social Services within the County and State
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Providing individual and group counseling to students K-12
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Ensuring administration of the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey to students grades 7-12 on an annual basis.
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Crisis response and support for students, families, and teachers
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Gifted and Talented Program, and Special Education Services
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Data analysis and individualizing student services WIDA, NWEA, DIBELS, PARCC, SAT, CMAS, COGAT/NGAT
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Assisting as a testing proctor
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Coordinating the
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Advising students individually on high school graduation requirements, course choices, Concurrent Enrollment, transcripts, and schedules for high school students in the Student Information System (SIS).
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Ensuring post-secondary success with goal-setting, resumes. Interest surveys, college visits, College or Vocational School Applications, FAFSA and Scholarship Applications, and work and independent study options
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Overseeing Individual Career and Academic Plans for all students 9th-12th grade.
Hiring Timeline: May 8, 2026: 1st Application due date, May 12-13, 2026: 1st Interview dates
Application: Cover letter, Resume, 3 recent letters of recommendations (in one file, preferably PDF)
Send to Thomas Cleary at tcleary@crestonecharter.com
Application Details
Hiring Timeline:
April 18, 2026 Posting of position
May 8, 2026 Application due
May 11, 2026 Invitation to finalists to interview
May 12-13, 2026 Interview Dates
Learn more about the CCS learning model here
At CCS, we have implemented a progressive form of proficiency-based education that centers around standards-, projects,- and experiential-based education. In addition to facilitating learning for all the commonly tested content areas of traditional education, CCS teachers and staff guide students through six non-academic content areas specific to our charter school. These are self-awareness and character development, artistic skills, service learning, environmental awareness, life-skills / health / body awareness, and cultural awareness. These “core values” are woven into everything we do and are emphasized through and during our outdoor and travel programming. Read more below.
Our small number of about 100 students in grades K-12, within the seven multi-age grade-banded classrooms in our environmentally conscious schoolhouse, requires all faculty and staff to work closely together and participate in decision-making. Teachers are empowered and expected to guide their group of learners along the path of self-discovery and academic growth. Teachers are also expected to use their professional ethics and best judgment when designing projects and thematic units, including field trips to engage student learning.
One of the major benefits of Crestone Charter School is the awesome trips designed by the lead teachers to expose the students to a world outside of our community. Teachers must be capable of planning the logistics, including budgeting, for short-term and long-term field trips. The CCS Lead Teacher will facilitate and go on these trips and must be comfortable driving our twelve- to twelve-passenger vans and mini-buses. High school trips are longer and more intense than other grades and include international travel experiences every other year. Additionally, most of our teachers come to us with a love for outdoor education, including camping, hiking, swimming and/or skiing/snowboarding.
Our decisions are driven by the immediate needs of the children we serve. Our staff have the voice and choice that some teachers in traditional schools have lost. Our teachers are not burdened with scripted lessons. Our school has the trust and support of the Governing Council that we serve. Our students encompass individuality and creative expression. They are extremely bright, and good-natured, especially with one another. They encourage one another and support each other’s academic success. Our school progressively redefines the possibilities of rural academic excellence; for those in the industry functioning at the level of change agent, this is an amazing place to be.