Position Type: Long-Term Substitute, Potential Full-Time
Compensation: $70,000+ annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Benefits: Eligible for school benefits
Potential for Full-Time Employment: Yes
Tahoe Expedition Academy is seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic, and nurturing Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher to lead a combined K/1 classroom. This position is responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and academically rigorous learning experience for young students while supporting their social-emotional growth, independence, curiosity, and love of learning.
The ideal candidate understands the unique developmental needs of Kindergarten and first-grade students and is comfortable differentiating instruction within a multi-age classroom. The teacher will create a structured yet joyful classroom environment where students are encouraged to take risks, build confidence, develop foundational academic skills, and learn to work both independently and collaboratively.
The teacher will be responsible for the daily operation of the classroom, including curriculum implementation, lesson planning, classroom management, assessment, family communication, and student supervision. The teacher will collaborate closely with specialists, colleagues, and school leadership to ensure a cohesive and supportive educational experience.
Here at Tahoe Expedition Academy, we are committed to constructive adversity as a core value of our philosophy. This means we prioritize learning in the field in a myriad of ways. Project-based fieldwork is an essential piece of this position, and the ideal candidate will embrace outdoor adventure learning with care, enthusiasm, and dedication.
- Design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction for a combined Kindergarten and first-grade classroom.
Provide instruction across foundational elementary subject areas, including:
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Early literacy, phonics, reading, and writing
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Foundational mathematics and number sense
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Science and social studies
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Social-emotional learning
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Art, creativity, movement, and hands-on learning
- Differentiate instruction to appropriately challenge and support students at varying developmental and academic levels.
- Develop learning experiences that allow students to work independently, collaboratively, and in small instructional groups.
- Build strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.
- Use hands-on, experiential, and project-based learning strategies appropriate for young learners.
- Provide targeted support, enrichment, and intervention based on individual student needs.
- Assess student learning through formal and informal methods and use assessment data to inform instruction.
- Maintain accurate records of student progress, assignments, assessments, and other required documentation.
- Provide timely, constructive feedback to students and families.
- Establish a warm, structured, and inclusive classroom environment where students feel safe, known, supported, and challenged.
- Establish clear classroom routines, expectations, and procedures appropriate for Kindergarten and first-grade students.
- Teach and reinforce age-appropriate skills related to independence, organization, self-regulation, cooperation, and responsibility.
- Support students in developing conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Manage classroom behavior with consistency, patience, and a developmentally appropriate approach.
- Help students transition successfully between activities, classrooms, meals, recess, fieldwork, and other parts of the school day.
- Maintain appropriate supervision and ensure the physical and emotional safety of all students.
- Foster a classroom culture that celebrates curiosity, effort, mistakes, growth, and perseverance.
- Intentionally design instruction that meets the distinct developmental needs of Kindergarten and first-grade students.
- Recognize and respond to differences in academic readiness, social development, attention span, independence, and learning styles.
- Create opportunities for students to learn from and support one another across grade levels.
- Provide appropriate academic extensions for students who are ready for additional challenge.
- Provide additional scaffolding and support for students who are developing foundational skills.
- Balance whole-group instruction with small-group and individualized learning experiences.
- Develop classroom routines that allow young students to gradually build independence and ownership of their learning.
- Communicate regularly and professionally with families regarding student progress, classroom experiences, and areas of growth.
- Build positive, collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers.
- Partner with families to support students' academic, social, and emotional development.
- Participate in parent conferences, student support meetings, and other family engagement opportunities as appropriate.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding students and families.
- Collaborate with grade-level teachers, specialists, Adventure Guides, administrators, and other support staff.
- Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, school events, and community activities.
- Contribute positively to the school community and support the school's mission, values, and educational philosophy.
- Maintain professional communication and relationships with colleagues, students, and families.
- Follow all school policies and procedures regarding student safety, supervision, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of a classroom teacher.
- Lead and support students in outdoor educational experiences that connect classroom learning to authentic, real-world environments.
- Integrate outdoor education, fieldwork, exploration, and hands-on experiences into classroom learning whenever appropriate.
- Plan and facilitate age-appropriate outdoor learning activities that promote curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, confidence, and independence.
- Use the school's surrounding environment as an extension of the classroom and curriculum.
- Participate in day trips, field studies, academic adventures, and other off-campus learning experiences as required.
- Participate in overnight and multi-day expeditions as part of the school's educational program, including evenings and weekends when applicable to the school calendar and program needs.
- Provide consistent supervision and care for students throughout overnight experiences, including meals, transitions, evening routines, sleeping arrangements, and morning routines.
- Work with Adventure Guides and other faculty to maintain a high standard of student safety and risk awareness during outdoor activities, fieldwork, travel, and overnight experiences.
- Model a positive attitude toward constructive adversity, outdoor exploration, and learning outside of one's comfort zone.
- Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field preferred.
- Valid teaching credential or appropriate teaching experience preferred.
- CPR certified, WFR preferred
- Previous experience teaching Kindergarten, first grade, or a multi-age elementary classroom strongly preferred.
- Understanding of early childhood and early elementary development, particularly foundational literacy and mathematics.
- Strong classroom management and organizational skills.
- Ability to differentiate instruction for students with varied academic and developmental needs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, administration, and families.
- Demonstrated commitment to the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of young children.
- Enthusiasm for experiential, project-based, and outdoor education.
- Willingness and ability to participate in fieldwork, outdoor education, overnight trips, and multi-day expeditions.
This position may begin as a long-term substitute opportunity while providing the school and teacher an opportunity to evaluate a potential long-term professional fit. Depending on school needs, performance, qualifications, and mutual interest, the position may transition into a permanent full-time Kindergarten/First Grade teaching position.
A successful candidate will demonstrate strong instructional skills, effective classroom management, reliability, professionalism, collaboration, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to the academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of young students.
The anticipated salary for this position is $70,000+ annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is eligible for the school's applicable employee benefits package.
Final compensation and employment terms will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and the scope of the position.
