Sprout Spiral; yo Lead Educator

Posted: 06/16/2026

School Around Us (SAU) in Arundel, Maine has an opening for a full‑time early childhood educator to lead our sprout spiral (ages 4‑6) starting in August 2026.

SAU’s mission is to bring together young people, educators, families and our extended community to create a learner‑driven environment grounded in meaningful relationships, fostering self‑awareness and global citizenship.

SAU serves youth ages 5‑14 who are registered with the State of Maine as homeschoolers. Our core value of the “Co‑Learning Community” focuses on learners, families, and communities together as ecosystems of learning.

We seek an adaptable educator who values a co‑created educational environment that balances structure and spontaneity. The educator will design and implement holistic, learner‑driven programming for a group of children ages 4‑6.

• Teacher, mentor, and guide for students
• Collaborative co‑creator of educational experiences with fellow teachers, parents, and learners
• Advocate and coach who helps young people develop and pursue their own learning paths
• Uses an integrated, hands‑on curriculum that adapts to emergent learning
• Shares passions with the SAU community
• Implements SAU’s philosophy of holistic education through the Eight Knowledge Areas (Logical Thinking & Quantitative Reasoning, Scientific Inquiry & Environmental Understanding, Practical Life Skills, Creative Arts, Language & Communication, Citizenship, Body Knowledge)
• Addresses diversity, inclusion, and equity in learning
• Balances freedom with co‑created structure
• Establishes strong relationships with learners and families by:
  • Consistent contact with families in person, by email, and by phone as needed
  • Posting on our “Loft” social network to inform the community of SAU programming and portfolio development
• Facilitates supportive conflict resolution processes
• Participates willingly in a democratic organizational and staff culture

Contract teachers annually for 210 working days (August‑June), including on‑site school days, planning time, and events. Typical week:
Monday‑Friday, 8:30‑3:30. Additional staff meetings, monthly community gatherings, and occasional evening events (e.g., school play, concerts) are required. Significant outdoor time across all seasons is expected.

Salary Range: $43,000‑$44,500 (depending on experience and qualifications)

• 10 days of Paid Time Off (includes sick and personal days)
• 50% tuition discount
• Professional development stipend
• Certification support (if needed)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational experience
• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience with learners ages 4‑14 (traditional schooling not required)
• Exposure to holistic education and self‑directed learning
• Conflict resolution skills supporting an equitable and inclusive environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Openness to give and receive honest, constructive feedback
• Enthusiasm for creating non‑prescriptive learning experiences without reliance on standard assessments
• Combines structure and spontaneity in teaching
• Collaborative mindset in a shared teaching environment
• Ability to design clear, meaningful learning experiences
• Consistent engagement with parents/families
• Willingness to spend extensive outdoor time with learners all seasons
• Openness to team teaching and collaborative teaching contexts

• Master’s degree
• Maine teaching license/certification
• Experience guiding project‑based, experiential learning programs
• Experience in holistic learning models (e.g., Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio, democratic education, agile learning)
• Multiple years working with children ages 4‑8
• Demonstrated facilitation of group processes
• Experience with participatory decision‑making processes (consent, consensus, Robert’s Rules)
• Willingness to create spontaneous, student‑driven projects
• Experience teaching as part of a collaborative team
• First‑Aid and CPR certifications

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to hiring.

Initial interviews will be scheduled during the weeks of July 6th & 13th in the afternoons/evenings.

School Around Us is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and workforce reflective of our mission, values, and communities we serve. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.