The Hearts and Minds Learning Community is hiring a Part-Time (2.5 days/week) Upper Elementary Enrichment Educator to lead our Upper Elementary Homeschool Enrichment Program serving learners in approximately 3rd and 4th grade (ages 8–10).
Teach in a small, relationship-centered learning community with a flexible curriculum and the freedom to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Our program is outdoors-first and screen-free, giving students the opportunity to explore, create, collaborate and learn through meaningful real-world experiences.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced educator who enjoys inspiring curious learners, building meaningful relationships with students and families and creating authentic learning experiences that blend academics, nature, creativity and exploration. This is an ideal opportunity for an educator looking to step away from the constraints of a traditional classroom and into an environment where relationships, curiosity and joyful learning come first.
Our program meets 2.5 days per week (Tuesdays 1-3:30p, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) and provides students with a welcoming learning community where they receive individualized academic support, collaborative learning experiences and opportunities to build lasting friendships.
Families continue using their own homeschool curriculum at home while students attend our enrichment program for academic coaching, interdisciplinary projects, enrichment opportunities and social connection.
Additional Teaching Opportunity
In addition to leading the homeschool enrichment program, the educator will spend a few hours each week working with students from HMLC’s full-time 2nd grade classroom.
This small-group or individualized support will focus on students who are ready to begin exploring 3rd grade-level reading and/or mathematics. The educator will work in collaboration with the 2nd grade classroom teacher to provide appropriately challenging instruction, enrichment and opportunities for students to extend their skills beyond the standard 2nd grade curriculum.
This provides an exciting opportunity for the educator to work across grade levels and support students as they transition into more advanced academic work.
This position does not require a current teaching license, although candidates should have experience working with upper elementary learners. As our program grows, this role has the potential to expand into a full-time teaching position. A valid state teaching license would be required for a future full-time educator role.
About the Program
Our Upper Elementary program is designed for students who are becoming increasingly independent learners while still benefiting from guidance, collaboration and hands-on exploration.
Learning extends well beyond the classroom. Students spend time outdoors every day, using nature as a classroom for observation, scientific inquiry, creative expression, physical activity and collaborative problem-solving. Our screen-free philosophy encourages meaningful conversations, active engagement, critical thinking and genuine connections with peers and educators.
Each program day balances individualized academic support with engaging group learning experiences that encourage critical thinking, creativity, communication and problem-solving.
Students participate in rotating interdisciplinary studies exploring topics such as (these are examples, not final curriculum):
- Science: forces, motion, light, sound, lifecycles and adaptions, water and weather cycles, Earth processes and energy transfer.
- Social Studies: ancient and world communities, North American geography and history including Indigenous history.
- Foundational skills in the arts
- Literature studies and book discussions
- Entrepreneurship and financial literacy
- Health: Mental, emotional, nutrition, personal safety, our bodies and core consent topics
- Exploring the concepts of physical, media and digital literacy and safety
One day each week emphasizes STEM learning through mathematics, engineering, technology, scientific inquiry and design thinking. Another emphasizes the humanities, including reading, writing, literature, history, geography and social studies. Throughout the year, students engage in collaborative projects that integrate multiple subject areas and encourage authentic learning.
A typical day includes:
- Morning meeting and community building
- Individual homeschool curriculum support
- Small-group instruction
- Collaborative project-based learning
- Outdoor exploration and movement breaks
- Lunch and snack
- Workshops, enrichment activities and independent work
- Reflection and closing circle
Responsibilities
The Lead Educator will:
- Lead and facilitate a positive, engaging homeschool enrichment program for a small group of upper elementary students.
- Provide individualized academic coaching as students work through their homeschool curriculum in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.
- Design and facilitate hands-on, screen-free learning experiences that integrate academics, nature, creativity and project-based learning.
- Incorporate outdoor learning into the weekly rhythm through nature study, scientific observation, outdoor reading and writing, games and collaborative projects.
- Design meaningful interdisciplinary projects that encourage inquiry, collaboration, creativity and real-world problem-solving.
- Plan engaging lessons that support executive functioning, organization, independent learning and critical thinking.
- Provide a few hours of weekly academic enrichment and instruction to 2nd grade students who are ready for 3rd grade-level reading and/or mathematics.
- Collaborate with the 2nd grade classroom teacher to identify appropriate academic goals and provide appropriately challenging instruction and enrichment.
- Differentiate instruction to meet a variety of learning styles, abilities and academic levels.
- Foster a classroom culture built on curiosity, responsibility, kindness, collaboration and mutual respect.
- Support students' academic, social, and emotional development while encouraging increasing independence and self-confidence.
- Communicate regularly with families regarding student participation, accomplishments, and classroom experiences.
- Collaborate with school leadership and fellow educators to continually strengthen both the homeschool enrichment and full-time elementary programs.
- Organize instructional materials, classroom resources and project supplies while maintaining program budgets.
- Maintain a safe, organized, welcoming and engaging learning environment, both indoors and outdoors.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have:
- Experience teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or leading educational programs for upper elementary students (approximately grades 3–5).
- Experience supporting students who are ready to work above grade level in reading and/or mathematics.
- A passion for experiential, project-based, outdoor and screen-free education.
- Confidence leading students in outdoor learning in all seasons and using the natural environment as an extension of the classroom.
- Experience with homeschool education, microschools, enrichment programs, camps, Montessori, project-based learning, outdoor education or alternative education models is highly preferred.
- Strong classroom leadership and group facilitation skills.
- Strong foundational knowledge of upper elementary literacy and mathematics.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with students, families and colleagues.
- The ability to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity and independence.
- Strong organizational, planning and classroom management skills.
- Flexibility, creativity and a collaborative mindset.
- A commitment to helping every student feel known, challenged and successful.
Education and Licensing
- A current state teaching license is not required for this position.
- Candidates must have relevant experience working with upper elementary students.
- A bachelor's degree in education or a related field is preferred but not required with relevant experience.
- This position has the potential to grow into a full-time teaching role. A valid state teaching license would be required for that future position.
Schedule
- Part-time
- Three days per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays)
- Approximately 1:00pm - 3:30pm Tuesdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm Thursdays and Fridays
- Includes several hours per week supporting students in the full-time 2nd grade classroom
- Follows the academic-year calendar (specific dates provided upon hire)
- Term: September 1, 2026 – June 11, 2027, with the potential to continue through the summer at reduced hours supporting summer camp programming.
Requirements
- Successful completion of a background check prior to employment.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive, student-centered learning environment where every learner feels welcomed and supported.
- First Aid, CPR, and/or crisis intervention certification (or willingness to obtain certification upon hire).
**HMLC operates under a community care model. Many children and families in our program have high-risk medical conditions/are medically fragile and all adults are required to wear N95 or KN95 masks while around the children at all times - indoors and outdoors. Everyone, adults and children, are required to wear masks while indoors (unless eating or drinking). All adults and children are required to be up to date on all vaccines, including seasonal flu and COVID vaccines (unless there is a medical exemption), to help protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to help shape a unique learning community where relationships matter, curiosity is encouraged and students experience the best of both homeschooling and collaborative classroom learning. If you enjoy small class sizes, project-based learning and helping students grow academically and socially, we'd love to hear from you.
BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ+ candidates encouraged to apply.
The Hearts and Minds Learning Community is located in SW Minneapolis, MN. This is an onsite position. HMLC is an outdoors-first learning environment and we spend as much time as possible outdoors, as the weather allows. Educators will need to be prepared for outdoor time with appropriate clothing (winter gear in the cold, a rain coat in the rain, for example).
HMLC is a screen-free learning environment and a gender-inclusive school.
HMLC is accessible via public transportation, offers free parking and the building is fully accessible.
Job Type: part-time onsite (no remote option available)Pay: $27/hour (licensed), $25/hour (unlicensed)
Location: Minneapolis, MN 55417
Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- I am willing/able to wear an N95 or KN95 mask while working onsite.
Education:
Experience:
- upper elementary : 3 years (Required)
- Classroom management: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
