This microschool on the Sonoma-Mendocino coast seeks a founding lead teacher to launch a vibrant, progressive elementary program starting Fall 2025.

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• Location: Gualala, CA
• Ages of children: 5 to 9 years old
• Start date: July 2025
• Schedule: Full-time, 40-hour, Monday-Friday teaching schedule.
• Compensation: They are offering an annual salary of $90+k, depending on experience.
• Benefits: Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays, 50% employee coverage for health, dental, and vision plans, relocation assistance, professional development opportunities, and participation in a retirement program.
• Live-in/Live-out: Live-out. They are open to assisting a candidate in securing housing and providing a housing stipend.

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School Dynamic:

• This hands-on, nature-based microschool is seeking an inspired and visionary Founding Lead Teacher to launch a vibrant, progressive elementary division of the school in the Fall of 2025! Building on the success of their established preschool program, the elementary program will begin with a small cohort of 6 to 10 children, ages 5 to 9 years old, in a mixed-age classroom. The program blends core academic foundations in literacy, math, and science with interdisciplinary-based learning where 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. This invites children to cultivate wonder, think critically, and engage deeply through hands-on, experiential learning. They are looking forward to working with a private educator who can support building a school from the ground up, shaping its culture, pedagogy, and curriculum while guiding young learners in a dynamic, mixed-age classroom and fostering a love for curiosity and creativity.
• Nestled along the stunning Sonoma-Mendocino Coast, the school community values creativity and a deep connection to nature. 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. A collaborative candidate who is eager to contribute not just to the daily classroom experience but also to the broader development of the school will be highly valued!  

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Ideal candidate:

• This position is ideal for a vibrant, engaged, self-starting educator who thrives in dynamic, collaborative environments and is excited to build something new from the ground up! Someone who brings structure without rigidity and understands how to nurture each child’s growth academically, emotionally, and socially will be a perfect fit. The ideal candidate will bring confidence in tailoring the curriculum in a mixed-aged classroom. Experienced in teaching core elementary subjects and passionate about designing interdisciplinary projects that encourage hands-on learning and student agency will be key. An innovative candidate who takes ownership of their work and is open to generating ideas, while being deeply collaborative and eager to work closely with the administrative board, will be a wonderful addition. An excitement to dive in, dream big, and build something meaningful together with the children, families, and fellow educators will be an asset in this role.
• Responsibilities will include designing and implementing a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that weaves together literacy, math, science, and creative problem-solving for a mixed-age classroom. The educator will promote social-emotional learning and a sense of community within the classroom, help recruit and collaborate with assistant and specialist teachers, and adapt strategies to support program growth (3-5 new students annually). The educator will also lead inquiry-based investigations, outdoor learning experiences, and field trips, and build connections with local experts and community resources to enrich student learning. The role will include collaborating with the preschool program director to ensure a smooth student transition and shared staff development. The educator will communicate regularly with families and foster a collaborative school-home relationship, as well as with the school’s administrative team on staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, and policy development.

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Qualifications:

• 2+ years of 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 the ability to differentiate instruction accordingly
• Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices
• Up-to-date immunization records

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This position is open to all Adventure Nannies candidates who are legally able to work in the US. Out of respect for the privacy of the families we work with, we cannot provide any additional information about this position other than what has already been provided in the job description. If you are interested in learning more about the position, please apply!