Founding Lead Teacher

Founding Lead Teacher: Progressive Elementary Microschool on the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast

Salary: $75k - 95k+, depending on experience and background 

Employment Type: Full-Time

Benefits: Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays; 50% employee coverage for our health, dental, and vision plans; relocation assistance; housing stipend; professional development opportunities; and participation in our retirement program

Location: Gualala, California 

Start Date: July 2025

Website: https://www.forager.school/

We are seeking an inspired and visionary Founding Lead Teacher to launch a progressive elementary microschool on the wild and beautiful Sonoma-Mendocino Coast. Rooted in hands-on, experiential learning, this program invites children to cultivate wonder, think critically, and explore deeply. This is a unique opportunity to help build a school from the ground up — shaping its culture, pedagogy, and curriculum – while guiding young learners in a dynamic, mixed-age classroom where curiosity and creativity thrive. 

About the Program:

Launching in Fall 2025, our elementary program will begin with a small cohort of 6 to 10 children, ages 5 to 9, in a mixed-age classroom. It builds on the successful foundation of The Forager School preschool, a beloved hub in our coastal community for child-led, nature-connected early learning.

The program blends core academic foundations in literacy, math, and science with interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning. 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. 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. 
 

Our Ideal Candidate:

You are a thoughtful educator who is excited to build something new. You thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments, bring structure without rigidity, and understand how to nurture each child’s growth — academically, emotionally, and socially. You have experience teaching core elementary subjects and enjoy designing interdisciplinary projects that encourage hands-on learning and student agency. You bring ideas to life through nature, storytelling, and design challenges. Most of all, you’re excited to roll up your sleeves, dream big, and co-create something meaningful with children, families, and fellow educators. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Design and implement a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that weaves together literacy, math, science, and creative problem-solving for a mixed age classroom

Promote social-emotional learning and a sense of community within the classroom

Help recruit and collaborate with assistant and specialist teachers; adapt strategies to support program growth (3-5 new students annually) 

Lead inquiry-based investigations, outdoor learning experiences, and field trips; build connections with local experts and community resources to enrich student learning

Collaborate with the Director of The Forager School preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and shared staff development

Communicate regularly with families and foster a collaborative school-home relationship

Collaborate with Forager’s administrative team on staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, and policy development

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following questions, along with a resume to: info@forager.school

Give an example of how a lesson you were really excited about flopped and how you pivoted to respond to the needs of your students.

Describe an interdisciplinary project you worked on with your students that you are proud of. What would you do differently if you could do it again?

Qualifications:  

Experience teaching and designing curriculum for elementary-aged children, including core subjects like literacy, math, and science

Comfort with mixed-age groupings and ability to differentiate instruction accordingly

Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices 

Passion for STEAM education, project-based and inquiry-based learning

Up-to-date immunization records and ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire