TEACHER | EXPERIENCED | ORGANIZED
Are you an experienced teacher looking for a small school setting? Do you love nurturing the minds of children? Are you looking for an incredible position in Sonoma-Mendocino, CA? If you answered, “YES!” we have the position for you!
Syllabus: We are seeking an inspired and visionary Founding Lead Teacher to launch a progressive elementary micro-school on the wild and beautiful Sonoma-Mendocino Coast. Rooted in hands-on, experiential learning, this program invites children to cultivate wonder, think critically, and explore deeply. This is a unique opportunity to help build a school from the ground up — shaping its culture, pedagogy, and curriculum – while guiding young learners in a dynamic, mixed-age classroom where curiosity and creativity thrive. Launching in Fall 2025, our elementary program will begin with a small cohort of 6 to 10 children, ages 5 to 9, in a mixed-age classroom. It builds on the successful foundation of The Forager School preschool, a beloved hub in our coastal community for child-led, nature-connected early learning.
The program blends core academic foundations in literacy, math, and science with interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning. Students engage in tinkering, experimentation, and creative expression as they explore real-world questions. The curriculum will weave STEM- and STEAM-inspired elements (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) into a well-rounded program grounded in nature, social-emotional learning, and meaningful problem-solving. The Founding Lead Teacher will be supported by an assistant teacher, a team of specialists (e.g., music, foreign language, engineering), and an administrative team.
Ideal Candidate: Our ideal candidate is a thoughtful educator who is excited to build something new. You thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments, bring structure without rigidity, and understand how to nurture each child’s growth — academically, emotionally, and socially. You have experience teaching core elementary subjects and enjoy designing interdisciplinary projects that encourage hands-on learning and student agency. You bring ideas to life through nature, storytelling, and design challenges. Most of all, you’re excited to roll up your sleeves, dream big, and co-create something meaningful with children, families, and fellow educators.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that weaves together literacy, math, science, and creative problem-solving for a mixed age classroom
- Promote social-emotional learning and a sense of community within the classroom
- Help recruit and collaborate with assistant and specialist teachers; adapt strategies to support program growth (3-5 new students annually)
- Lead inquiry-based investigations, outdoor learning experiences, and field trips; build connections with local experts and community resources to enrich student learning
- Collaborate with the Director of The Forager School preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and shared staff development
- Communicate regularly with families and foster a collaborative school-home relationship
- Collaborate with Forager’s administrative team on staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, and policy development
Job Synopsis: Experience the joy of fostering the development of children. The schedule for this position will be a traditional school schedule starting in July 2025 and going through June 2026. The hours will be Monday through Friday 8 am – 3 pm. There is an option to work a Summer schedule for additional compensation. The pay for this role is around $90,000+ per year based on experience. Additional benefits will include paid vacation, sick days, medical stipend and providing housing.
Roll Call: This amazing position starts in July 2025!
Qualifications:
Experience teaching and designing curriculum for elementary-aged children, including core subjects like literacy, math, and science
Comfort with mixed-age groupings and ability to differentiate instruction accordingly
Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices
Passion for STEAM education, project-based and inquiry-based learning
Up-to-date immunization records and ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire
CPR/first aid certification
TrustLine certified
Excellent references
