This opening calls for specific teaching qualifications set by the school.
CalWest client school in Mendocino/Sonoma County, California, seeks a Founding Lead Teacher to begin July 2025.
CalWest Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree and/or other educational requirements listed on the job description
- Requisite skills commensurate with the position
- A reasonable commuting distance to the CalWest client school, or a willingness to relocate
- Authorization to live and work in the United States
Client School Preferred Qualifications
- Experience teaching and designing curriculum for elementary-aged children, with a focus on literacy, math, and science
- Passion for STEAM education and experience integrating it in project-based or experiential formats
- Comfort with mixed-age groupings and ability to differentiate instruction accordingly
- Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices
- Up-to-date immunization records and ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire
Responsibilities
- Design and implement a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates STEAM learning, literacy, and the arts
- Build a schedule and learning modules that support the learning needs of a mixed-age classroom
- Coach and collaborate with assistant and specialist teachers; adapt strategies to support program growth (3-5 new students annually)
- Incorporate project-based and self-directed learning methodologies to meet students’ interests and developmental levels
- Lead engaging lessons, investigations, and field trips that explore natural phenomena, engineering challenges, coding basics, environmental science, and more
- Recruit and manage a team of specialist teachers and assistants (e.g., foreign language, music), fostering a collaborative and supportive culture across programs
- Promote social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and a sense of community within the classroom
- Collaborate with the Director of the school preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and readiness for elementary education
- Partner with the Director of the preschool program to coordinate professional development experiences and staff trainings
- Oversee safety protocols, daily routines, classroom environment, and after-school enrichment (3:30 to 5 pm)
- Communicate regularly with families and foster a collaborative school-home relationship
- Build connections within local experts, artists, engineers, naturalists, and community resources to enrich student learning
- Collaborate with the school’s administrative team on staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, policy development, technology tools, classroom buildout, and budgeting for materials
Salary Range
$ 70,000 – $ 95,000
