Lead Teacher

Upper Elementary Lead Educator (Grades 4–5)
About SOLFL

SOLFL (Student of Life For Life) is reimagining education for a changing world. We believe children learn best when they are engaged in meaningful work, connected to nature, immersed in authentic community, and invited to explore the big questions of life. Our educational model integrates rigorous academics with project-based learning, ecological literacy, entrepreneurship, spiritual development, and real-world experiences. At SOLFL, students do not simply study the world—they participate in it.

They design, build, investigate, create, serve, and reflect. We are cultivating young people who are intellectually curious, emotionally grounded, socially responsible, and capable of making a meaningful contribution to the world around them.

We are seeking an exceptional Upper Elementary Lead Educator (Grades 4–5) with a strong background in progressive education, inquiry-based learning, and child-centered pedagogy.

The ideal candidate has experience in environments influenced by Bank Street, Project-Based Learning (PBL), Expeditionary Learning, place-based education, and other progressive educational models that emphasize active learning, deep thinking, and authentic engagement.

This educator will lead a mixed-grade learning community where students pursue meaningful questions, engage in interdisciplinary projects, develop academic mastery, and cultivate the habits of thoughtful, responsible citizenship. More than a classroom teacher, you are a designer of experiences, a facilitator of inquiry, a mentor, and a builder of community.

• Develop and facilitate interdisciplinary units and projects that integrate literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, ecology, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
• Create authentic learning experiences rooted in real-world questions, local community connections, and meaningful student interests.
• Design curriculum that balances academic rigor with creativity, exploration, and student agency.
• Connect learning to nature, place, culture, and current issues whenever possible.

• Cultivate a classroom culture driven by curiosity, investigation, reflection, and dialogue.
• Guide students through research, observation, questioning, experimentation, and problem-solving.
• Support students in developing critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
• Facilitate meaningful discussions that encourage perspective-taking, empathy, and intellectual risk-taking.
• Differentiate instruction using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and best practices.
• Create multiple pathways for students to access content, demonstrate understanding, and engage meaningfully in learning.
• Use ongoing observation, assessment, and student feedback to personalize instruction.
• Collaborate with colleagues and families to support each learner's growth.
• Teach executive functioning, self-management, organization, planning, and reflection skills.
• Support students in setting goals, tracking progress, and taking ownership of their learning.
• Help students develop confidence, resilience, responsibility, and self-awareness.

• Foster a joyful, inclusive classroom culture where every student feels seen, valued, and challenged.
• Develop strong partnerships with families through ongoing communication and collaboration.
• Contribute positively to the broader life of the school and participate in curriculum design, exhibitions, community events, and school initiatives.

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of elementary teaching experience.
• Demonstrated success teaching upper elementary students (Grades 4–5).
• Experience with inquiry-based, project-based, experiential, or progressive educational approaches.
• Strong understanding of child development and constructivist learning theory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to design interdisciplinary curriculum and authentic assessments.

Strongly Preferred

• Master’s Degree in Education.
• Bank Street training, coursework, or significant experience in progressive education settings.
• Experie…