Teacher, Ten

Reports to:
Assistant Head of School/Lower School Head or Middle School Head

Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co‑ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED‑certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands‑on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.

FCS is seeking teachers for the 2026-27 academic year in both the lower and middle school. The qualified candidate should possess and demonstrate an understanding of child development and progressive pedagogy. We seek an individual who is knowledgeable about and experienced with project-based and experiential learning. The qualified candidate will possess strong classroom management skills and the ability to create a welcoming and supportive classroom environment using Responsive Classroom (lower school) /Developmental Design (middle school).

We seek an individual who respects and understands issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and incorporates them into their practice and the curriculum.

• Plan and update engaging lessons and units of study that consider multiple learning styles and differences
• Work collaboratively with the Learning Specialist and grade‑level colleagues to provide differentiated and interdisciplinary learning experiences for students
• Provide remediation and enrichment as needed
• Maintain regular communication with parents about class activities, topics of study, and special events
• Contribute to the FCS school‑wide community
• Organize daily morning meeting/advisory activities
• Participate in weekly Meeting for Worship
• Participate in scheduled school events such as parent‑teacher conferences, Back‑to‑School Night, and field/overnight trips
• Work in partnership with all members of the teaching team and the administration
• Communicate proactively and responsively with individual families
• Complete all report cards and student recommendations in a professional and timely manner, emphasizing the individual strengths and challenges for each student
• Continuously integrate the school’s commitment to Quakerism, Progressive Education, and Equity in your classroom
• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Engage in continuous, ongoing professional development
• Collaborate with colleagues in professional learning communities
• Partner with a teacher in the lower or middle school to facilitate cross divisional peer‑to‑peer relationships among middle and lower school students
• Other duties as assigned

• Genuine love for children and understanding of child development
• Minimum of three years of classroom experience
• Commitment to and some understanding of Progressive Education
• Commitment to equity and inclusion
• Openness to Quaker beliefs and practices
• Experience integrating technology into teaching practices
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with coworkers and other school community members

FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.