Lower School Grades 3-5 Teacher

About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary
The Pingry School seeks a dynamic, versatile, and intellectually curious educator for the 2026-27 school year. We are looking for an elementary specialist who thrives in the Grades 3-5 developmental span and who views teaching not merely as content delivery, but as the art of nurturing lifelong curiosity.

While the initial assignment for this position is within the fourth-grade team, Pingry seeks elementary educators who possess the pedagogical agility to transition across grade levels and content areas to meet the school's evolving needs. The ideal candidate finds joy in teaching the whole child across all core disciplines, including language arts, mathematics, and social studies, and is energized by the prospect of growing alongside a highly collaborative team of practitioners.

The Lower School seeks professionals who:

• Foster Experiential Discovery: You believe curiosity is nurtured through action; you design student-centered lessons that transform traditional coursework into exciting, engaging, and experiential processes.
• Demonstrate Pedagogical Agility: You are a versatile practitioner who is comfortable teaching across elementary subjects and possesses the growth mindset to transition between grade levels (3-5) to support team needs and your own professional growth.
• Scaffold Transitional Success: You understand 4th grade is a "hinge year"; you take pride in guiding students from the self-contained environment of lower grades toward the independence of Middle School by explicitly teaching executive functioning and study skills.
• Prioritize Relational Teaching: You recognize that academic growth is inseparable from social-emotional well-being, and you use Responsive Classroom practices to create safe, joyful, and inclusive environments where every student feels a sense of belonging.
• Act as Collaborative Innovators: You thrive in a "team first" environment, collaborating across teams to design interdisciplinary STEAM experiences that connect abstract logic to real-world problem-solving.
• Support Executive Functioning: You are a dedicated teacher who provides the structure and support students need to develop the organizational, note-taking, and self-management skills required for upper elementary success.
• Embody a Growth Mindset: You reflect on your practice, use challenges as opportunities to learn, and seek feedback to strengthen your teaching and support the division.

Responsibilities

• Holistic Instruction: Plan and deliver engaging, student-centered lessons with a readiness to integrate and teach additional core subjects as the program evolves.
• Classroom Culture & Management: Establish a nurturing and collaborative classroom climate using Responsive Classroom practices, such as Morning Meetings, to build a culture of belonging, promote student agency, and encourage positive student behavior.
• Differentiated Support: Differentiate instruction to support diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring an equitable learning environment for every child.
• Curricular Innovation: Collaborate with the Assistant Lower School Director of Academics to align curriculum across grades and disciplines.
• Assessment & Reporting: Use formative and summative assessments to monitor progress and provide proactive communication to families regarding student growth.
• Team Collaboration: Work in partnership with the Grade 4 team to ensure alignment across subjects, consistency in expectations, and a cohesive, well-coordinated student experience. 
• Professional Engagement: Participate in ongoing professional development and grade-level meetings centered on student learning and data.
• Community Stewardship: Support the school community through arrival/dismissal duties, recess supervision, and assistance with and attendance at school-wide events.
• Scaffolded Transitions: Support students’ transition from a single-teacher model to departmentalized Grade 4 experience by providing consistency, structure, and a sense of continuity within the classroom. 
• Executive Functioning Support: Provide structured support to help students develop the organizational and self-management skills needed to meet the increased demands of the 4th grade year. 

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Pedagogical Range: Proficiency in designing engaging, student-centered lessons that promote collaboration and creativity across various disciplines.
• Relational Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Experience: Proven success teaching in upper elementary grades (3-5), with a demonstrated ability to teach a comprehensive, multi-subject curriculum.
• Developmental Expertise: A deep understanding of the 3-5 developmental arc and a commitment to cultivating a culture of belonging where every student feels seen and valued.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills necessary to build strong partnerships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Growth Mindset: A proven track record of being a reflective practitioner who seeks and applies feedback and is willing to shift roles or grades for the benefit of the team and personal professional development.
• Digital Literacy: Proficiency in Google Suite, Seesaw, and modern instructional technology to enhance the learning workflow.
• Character: A deep commitment to the Pingry Honor Code, intellectual engagement, and the stewardship of an inclusive school community.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers. 

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $110,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education. 

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.