Secondary (Middle School) Discovery Teacher of Advanced Learners

Waco Independent School District

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Secondary (Middle School) Discovery Wage/Hour Status: Exempt / Contract

Teacher of Advanced Learners

Reports To: Campus Principal Pay Grade/Days: Teacher / 187 Days

Dept./School: Assigned Campus (Carver, CCMS, LAMM) Date Revised: April 2026

Primary Purpose:

To cultivate a culture of academic excellence by delivering specialized instruction and high-level inquiry for gifted and high-performing middle school students. The Discovery Teacher serves as a facilitator of advanced learning, guiding students through the complex intersections of STEM, Leadership, and Humanities to drive measurable growth and peak student achievement.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; Master's degree preferred

Texas teaching certificate with Gifted and Talented endorsement or has completed the 30-hour gifted and talented training and agrees to complete the state gifted endorsement within the first six months of employment or Master's degree in gifted education

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Excellent teaching skills 

Knowledge of assigned curriculum (grades K-12 TEKS), Texas assessment objectives, and best practices for instruction

Knowledge of differentiation and compacting strategies for the gifted

Background with various programs for the gifted (i.e., Destination Imagination, UIL, Youth and Government, Science Fair, History Fair)

Evidence of leadership skills

Knowledge of best practices for teaching the gifted and high achieving students

Strong organizational, communication (written and oral), and interpersonal skills

Experience

Three years as a classroom teacher, preferably in gifted or Advanced Placement classroom, and in a Title 1 school

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Observe students and develop an instructional/behavioral plan for assigned students.
2. Implement and facilitate instructional/behavioral plan for assigned students. (MOVED)
3. Plan and use appropriate learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment as determined by the needs of the assigned gifted/high achieving students.
4. Develop and implement specialized learning activities for students beyond the general classroom curriculum to include independent projects, cross-grade offerings, creative problem solving, research of interest, presentation skills, and leadership skills.
5. Create an environment conducive to student learning.
6. Provide student performance feedback to accompany the distribution of student report cards.
7. Provide feedback to department administrators on the implementation of instructional strategies through differentiated weekly lesson plans.
8. Conduct ongoing formal and informal assessments of student achievement.
9. Develop and oversee academic competitions at assigned campuses as well as offer enrichment experiences beyond the school day as assigned by supervisor.
10. Develop and maintain professional competence through professional growth activities based on recent research and current trends in education.
11. Plan, organize, and lead professional development at campus, district, and state level.
12. Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
13. Maintain a professional working relationship with principals/ district program directors, colleagues, students, and supervisors.
14. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required. 

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

     

    Supervisory Responsibilities:

    None

    Equipment Used:

    Macintosh and PC computer and related technology.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent districtwide travel; repetitive hand motions and prolonged use of computer. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I have received a copy of this job description. I have read and understand the foregoing statements described in the primary purpose, major responsibilities, and working conditions for this position as outlined above.

Employee Signature Date

Printed Name Employee ID #

Non Discrimination Statement

The Waco Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or genetic information in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.

For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, please email [email protected] or contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and/or Waco ISD Coordinator of Student Management at 254-755-9410 and/or Waco ISD Director of Athletics at 254-745-2250. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII, as amended, contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Director of Special Education at 254-755-9431 or; P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703.