Why You Will Love Working Here
The Aviation Master Teacher serves as the instructional and program leader for the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) aviation pathway, providing expert aviation instruction and developing industry-aligned programming that prepares students for postsecondary education and careers in aviation and aerospace. This position designs, implements, and refines aviation curriculum and hands-on learning experiences aligned with Colorado Community College System (CCCS) standards, workforce competencies, industry certifications, and safety requirements. The role integrates technical instruction, practical application, employability skills, and work-based learning to ensure students are prepared for entry-level aviation careers and advanced training opportunities.
The Aviation Master Teacher models exemplary instructional practices, maintains safe and professional lab and flight-related learning environments, and supports continuous improvement efforts within CTE programming. The position coordinates internships, apprenticeships, dual enrollment opportunities, industry certifications, guest speakers, site visits, and other career-connected learning experiences while overseeing aviation equipment, tools, and instructional facilities.
This role collaborates with school and district staff, postsecondary institutions, and industry partners to support pathway enrollment, program completion, and workforce alignment. The position maintains and develops partnerships with organizations including AIMS Community College, Choose Aerospace, Falcon AeroLab, WestPac, and the WWII Museum satellite A&P program to expand student opportunities and strengthen program relevance. Additional responsibilities include supporting aviation pathway recruitment and outreach across District 11 schools, participating in advisory committees and professional development, maintaining required certifications and industry knowledge, and promoting equitable access and student success in aviation pathways.
Position Summary
The Master Teacher serves as an instructional leader, mentor, and expert educator, driving student achievement through exemplary teaching, curriculum development, and data-driven decision-making. They provide coaching and professional development for colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. By modeling best practices in instruction, classroom management, and student engagement, they support the implementation of high-quality, standards-aligned curricula. Additionally, they analyze student data to inform instruction, advocate for effective teaching strategies, and build strong partnerships with families and the community. Through leadership and mentorship, the Master Teacher enhances both teacher effectiveness and student success.
Along with creating the necessary learning conditions for students the Master Teacher will simultaneously be responsible for guiding, mentoring and teaching job required skills through embedded job experience of the Apprentice Teacher (designing effective lesson plans, evaluating data, engagement strategies, etc), resulting in empowering Apprentice Teachers on their path to becoming certified educators.
Essential Job Functions
Instructional Leadership
- Plan and deliver engaging lessons using student teaming as the primary instructional model.
- Meet the diverse needs of students, utilizing innovative teaching strategies and integrating technology where appropriate.
- Adapt curriculum and instructional approaches to support varied learning styles, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Model exemplary teaching practices for other Teachers, demonstrating effective classroom management, differentiation, and student engagement.
- With School Administration, facilitates the schools Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)
Collaboration & Mentorship
- Observe and provide peer assistance and coaching toward meeting teachers’ Individual Growth Plan goals
- Oversee the teaching responsibilities of co-teachers, delegating tasks, providing constructive feedback, and supporting their classroom interactions.
- Foster a collaborative and supportive teaching environment where Apprentice Teachers feel empowered to contribute to the educational process.
Classroom Management
- Maintaining a structured and positive learning environment.
- Strategically assign roles to co-teachers to ensure smooth operations, efficient transitions, and individualized student support.
- Monitor student behavior and progress, addressing challenges proactively and promoting a culture of respect and accountability.
Curriculum Development & Assessment
- Develop and refine lesson plans aligned with state standards and institutional goals.
- Design and implement formative and summative assessments to track student progress and adjust instruction as needed.
- Collaborate with other Teachers to gather student data, analyze trends, and create action plans for improvement.
- Monitoring of continuous improvement cycles in content area
Professional Leadership
- Act as a liaison between the teaching team, administrators, and parents, ensuring clear communication and alignment of goals.
- Participate/lead professional development opportunities and share best practices with colleagues.
- Promote a growth mindset among students and Teachers alike, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
- Possesses a desire to lead a team or other teachers.
- Demonstrated student achievement results in own classroom.
- Expertise in own grade/subject content standards and how they are assessed.
- Strong instructional planning and teaching skills with a deep understanding of K-12 curriculum and pedagogy.
- Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate both students and colleagues.
- Excellent classroom management and organizational abilities, particularly in large group settings.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to give clear feedback and resolve conflicts.
- Proficiency with educational technology and tools to enhance learning.
- Demonstrated ability to translate student mastery requirements into instructional plans and strategies at the classroom level.
- Has built strong, positive relationships with adults throughout the school.
- Has strong classroom management skills.
- Knowledgeable about effective methods for adult learning and coaching.
- Able to communicate effectively via oral and written communication.
- Ability to clearly articulate and model their instructional practices.
- Initiate, participate and coordinate cluster (PLC) group meetings and may lead staff development trainings and other meetings.
- Support instruction through individual guidance for teachers with the goal of increasing student achievement
Qualifications
- Minimum of a BA degree and five years of successful teaching experience
- Active teaching license issued by the State of Colorado
- Must have, or obtain within the school calendar year, a Colorado CTE Credential endorsed in Transportation.
- Prior experience mentoring or supervising other teachers is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrates expertise in content, curriculum development, student achievement, and assessment
- Demonstrates above-average class growth on the MAP, STAR, CMAS or other standardized assessments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Work is performed in a typical school environment on an expanded calendar year.
The work is mostly walking and standing with periods of sitting. Typical positions require workers to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend and crouch; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards, and a calculator. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing.
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
Calendar- 207 Flex
This is a one year, Intent to Non-Renew (INR) position with the possibility of non-renewal at the end of the term. Renewal will be determined based on organizational needs, performance and other factors.
Join Our Team!
Join Colorado Springs School District 11 and help inspire a generation of learners. Your dedication, creativity, and expertise empower students to reach their full potential — shaping the future of our community and beyond.
Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Non-Recurring Pay: 6% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 3% on November paycheck and 3% on May paycheck).
Staffing Stability Incentive (Adams Elementary, Galileo Middle School and Mitchell High School):
- All Teachers/SSPs (regardless of FTE) will receive an additional $5,000 split over two payments ($2,500 in November and $2,500 in May). NOTE: This is prorated based off of FTE.
- Teaching and SSP Staff qualify to receive an additional 10 extra days (beyond the District Calendar), paid at the per diem rate. Five (5) days for USIP design and five (5) days as “collaborative flex” days. NOTE: SSPs receiving extra days (per the Employee Handbook) are only allowed to work a TOTAL of 10 extra days. For example, nurses are allowed to work 3 additional days per the Handbook and are only allowed to work an additional 7 days (for a total of 10).
- Mitchell High School Only: Teachers/SSPs also receive a one-step increase (paid monthly).
- Pay for Performance (Mitchell High School): All Teachers/SSPs receive a Pay for Performance Bonus that is paid out in the fall (utilizing performance measures criteria from the previous year).
- Additional 10% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill positions: OT, PT, School Nurses, Audiologists, & School Psychologists
- Additional 15% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill position(s): SLP
Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details.
Base Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Teacher/Special Service Provider (SSP) will be placed on the appropriate lane for their educational background (BA, MA, etc). according to the official transcripts that are provided. They will be placed at the appropriate step for experience listed on the resume. Teachers will receive credit for a maximum of 14 years for any applicable teaching experience (provided that the experience occurred in the last 15 years).
Base Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job, provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question.
See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
School District 11 is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to disability, need for special education services (whether actual or perceived), race, creed, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, ancestry, age, genetic information, or protected activity in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Any harassment/discrimination of students and/or staff, based on the aforementioned protected areas, will not be tolerated and must be brought to the immediate attention of the school principal, D11 administrator/supervisor or D11 nondiscrimination compliance/grievance coordinator.
NONDISCRIMINATION COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR, the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Ombudservices, has been designated to coordinate compliance with: Equal Pay Act of 1963, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as Amended, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX – Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For additional information, please contact the District 11 Office of Equal Opportunity Programs & Ombudservices at 1115 North El Paso Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2599, Phone: 719-520-2288, FAX: 719-520-2442
The following Board policies address nondiscrimination in District 11: AC, AC-R, GBA, GBAA, JBB, JBB-R