Careers

Join our Crew!

Here at DDES, we don’t just accept differences – we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our employees, students, and community. DDES seeks to recruit people from diverse backgrounds and support the retention and advancement of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) within the organization.

DDES is inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other non-merit fact, so that all employees feel included, equally valued and supported.

A group of five children and an adult posing together, smiling. The adult is wearing a green hoodie and standing to the left. The children are wearing various colorful shirts, exhibiting a positive and cheerful atmosphere.

Current Openings

Openings for 2025-26

Our Approach

  • Students interact with their community through fieldwork and service learning.

  • Students are able to connect their learning to real-world issues and needs.

  • We invite experts from our surrounding community to deepen instruction.

  • Students grapple with real-world problems through multi-subject learning expeditions.
  • Students produce high-quality work and present their work to authentic audiences.
  • Students regularly engage in cycles of reflection, culminating in Student-Led conferences.

  • Social-emotional learning and character development is a core component of our curriculum. 
  • Daily Crew block and closing circle promote meaningful relationships with peers and teachers.
  • Adventure trips are held for all grade levels, with 2-3 each year.
  • We foster robust movement and art programs.
  • An in-house afterschool program is offered with no enrollment caps and financial assistance is available. 

  • Focus on small classes with additional adult support. 
  • Impactful intervention and special education teams.
  • Two full-time mental health professionals (psychologist and social worker).
  • Auggie the therapy dog onsite each week.

  • Enrollment priorities are focused on DDES becoming a fully integrated K-5 public school, both racially and socio-economically.
  • Culturally responsive curriculum intentionally includes traditionally marginalized perspectives.
  • Long-term partnerships with BIPOC professionals provide expertise within Learning Expedition Units of Study.
  • Recruitment strategies are aimed at diversifying educators to reflect our student population.
  • “Grow your own” teacher-assistant to teacher pipeline program aims to train, develop and promote BIPOC educators from within DDES.

Our Culture

  • Innovative and competitive compensation model.
  • Multiple pathways to salary increases, not solely based on advanced degrees. 
  • Step and lane system that rewards dedication, commitment, and mastery of knowledge/skills. 
  • Stipended school leadership opportunities (instructional, operational, and community-based). 
  • Comprehensive medical and dental plan, 100% paid by DDES.
  • PERA retirement plan with employer contributions. 
  • Short Term Disability, 100% paid for by DDES; long-term optional.
  • Paid parking and/or commuter cost, 100% paid for by DDES.
  • 10 days paid-time-off available immediately; 25 days paid-vacation/holiday during the school year.
  • Flexible Savings Account option for medical and childcare coverage.
  • Vision care & PERA 401k option; PERA life option.
  • Free on-site aftercare if your child attends DDES.

  • Two-week professional development (PD) summer institute.
  • Early release Fridays for weekly PD.
  • Weekly individual goal-oriented peer coaching.
  • Autonomy in lesson design and planning.
  • Pathways to leadership development.
  • Opportunities for outside PD, EL education.
  • Restorative practices training and modeling.
  • Neurosequential Model in Education training.
  • Culturally Responsive Classroom training.

  • Highly trained and experienced teaching assistants.
  • In-house guest teachers.
  • Guided curriculum and instruction available.
  • 60-minute daily planning periods.
  • No-contact teacher planning days (4 per year).
  • Teacher budget for classroom beautification, experts and fieldwork ($1,000 total).
  • Intervention team (special education, mental health, literacy and math).
  • Accolades and regular celebrations of success.

  • Staff celebrations (paid for by DDES) and accolades.
  • Lounge stocked with snacks, coffee, and treats year-round.
  • Appreciation breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
  • Regular staff outings and self-care initiatives.
  • High-quality staff swag.
  • Macbooks for all staff.