Welcome, Applicant!

Thank you for your interest in a CalWest opening.
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Applying for Position:
Founding Lead Teacher

This opening calls for specific teaching qualifications set by the school.

CalWest client school in Mendocino/Sonoma County, California, seeks a Founding Lead Teacher to begin July 2025. 

Responsibilities 

  • Design and implement a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates STEAM learning, literacy, and the arts
  • Build a schedule and learning modules that support the learning needs of a mixed-age classroom
  • Coach and collaborate with assistant and specialist teachers; adapt strategies to support program growth (3-5 new students annually)
  • Incorporate project-based and self-directed learning methodologies to meet students’ interests and developmental levels
  • Lead engaging lessons, investigations, and field trips that explore natural phenomena, engineering challenges, coding basics, environmental science, and more
  • Recruit and manage a team of specialist teachers and assistants (e.g., foreign language, music), fostering a collaborative and supportive culture across programs
  • Promote social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and a sense of community within the classroom
  • Collaborate with the Director of the school preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and readiness for elementary education
  • Partner with the Director of the preschool program to coordinate professional development experiences and staff trainings
  • Oversee safety protocols, daily routines, classroom environment, and after-school enrichment (3:30 to 5 pm)
  • Communicate regularly with families and foster a collaborative school-home relationship
  • Build connections within local experts, artists, engineers, naturalists, and community resources to enrich student learning
  • Collaborate with the school's administrative team on staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, policy development, technology tools, classroom buildout, and budgeting for materials

Qualifications 

  • Experience teaching and designing curriculum for elementary-aged children, with a focus on literacy, math, and science
  • Passion for STEAM education and experience integrating it in project-based or experiential formats
  • Comfort with mixed-age groupings and ability to differentiate instruction accordingly
  • Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices
  • Up-to-date immunization records and ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire

CalWest and our partner schools are unable to respond to all applicants.

Candidates may be submitted to multiple positions during their time with CalWest. Also, candidates may not be chosen to move forward in the search they initially expressed interest in pursuing.

Our client schools make the final decisions.

Deciding to Apply

At minimum, applicants should have:

About CalWest Educators Placement

CalWest is the “go-to” firm for educators seeking new positions at independent schools on the West Coast. We focus on increased communication and understanding with our candidates, providing reliable and candid advice about the schools they are considering.

If you have questions about the qualifications to apply, please contact us at mysearch@calwesteducators.com.