The Anchorage School District (ASD) offers a comprehensive Highly Gifted (HG) Program designed to meet the unique academic and social-emotional needs of students identified as highly gifted.

Rogers Park Elementary School hosts the Highly Gifted (HG) K-5 program, serving approximately 170 students in grades K–5 in grade level classroom environments. To qualify, students must meet specific criteria, including scoring at or above the 96th percentile on achievement tests and the 98th percentile on ability assessments.

Students are placed in homerooms with peers of similar ability, but walk to math classes based on their individual skill levels to ensure appropriate challenge and pacing.

The curriculum is tailored to each student’s needs and may be compacted, accelerated, or enriched to promote deeper understanding and engagement. Beyond academics, the program places a strong emphasis on social-emotional development, using Habits of Mind and Growth Mindset as foundational frameworks. These are integrated into daily instruction, class discussions, and reflective activities to help students build resilience, self-awareness, and lifelong learning strategies.

Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A valid Alaska initial, professional, or master teaching certificate.
   1. We will work with you to acquire this, in the meantime you would serve as a long-term substitute.
2. Evidence of content knowledge shown by:
   1. a bachelor's degree and complete an educator preparation program
   2. passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of this position; or
   3. a certificate endorsement in the content area of this position
   4. a minimum of six (6) semester credit hours in Gifted education within the first full year.

Essential Job Functions
The responsibilities listed below are representative of the essential functions of this position. The successful candidate:

1. Can describe their philosophy of education and demonstrate its relationship to their practice.
   1. Understands how students learn and develop, and applies that knowledge in their practice.
2. Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
   1. Organizes class time to provide a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, work time and assessment.
   2. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and--in harmony with the goals--establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
3. Teaches students with respect for their individual and cultural characteristics.
4. Knows the teacher's content area and how to teach it.
   1. Develops lesson plans and instructional material and provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils.
   2. Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
   3. Has the ability to use current technology to enhance instruction.
   4. Has the ability to use technology for record-keeping and research.
   5. Applies knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program.
5. Facilitates, monitors, and assesses student learning.
   1. Evaluates pupils' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports.
   2. Identifies pupil needs and makes appropriate referrals and develops strategies for individual education plans.
6. Creates and maintains a learning environment in which all students are actively engaged and contributing members.
   1. Provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of the student.
   2. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
   3. Creates an environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of student's work.
   4. Supervises student environment, students, and volunteers.
7. Works as a partner with parents, families, and the community.
   1. Communicates regularly with parents by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
8. Participates in and contributes to the teaching profession.

*Teacher Mentoring is available for new-to-district or new-to-field employees.