Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Job DetailsJob Location: 6128 168TH PLACE SE - BELLEVUE, WA 98006Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $63,190.00 - $123,550.00 Salary/yearJob Category: Education - TeachingKindergarten Lead Teacher  Mission   Open Window School nurtures and inspires students of high intellectual potential.  Overview  Open Window School (K-8, coed, 360 student day school) is seeking candidates for a Lower School Lead Teacher position.   Open Window is dedicated to serving gifted students. With a strong commitment to social-emotional learning, these exceptional young people are nurtured and inspired in both their academic and personal growth. Open Window students have true enthusiasm for deep and accelerated learning, with an emphasis on project-based initiatives with real world application. Innovation and risk taking are encouraged within a supportive environment. Open Window School graduates are empathetic, academically well-prepared, innovative problem solvers, purposeful global citizens with a commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a place where it is cool to be smart and the expectation is that our students will graduate and make a difference in high school and beyond.  Located on a beautiful campus in Bellevue, Washington, 15 miles from the center of downtown Seattle, Open Window benefits from its unique location; it is surrounded by woods right in the middle of one of the fastest growing metro populations in the country. The school enjoys a robust and growing pipeline of students which will continue to drive demand for the type of rich educational experience guided by Open Window’s mission and values.  Position Overview  Open Window School seeks a full-time Kindergarten Lead Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced early childhood educator to design and lead a joyful, intellectually vibrant classroom for gifted young learners.  Our Kindergarten program balances strong academic foundations with purposeful play, inquiry, and social-emotional development. The Lead Teacher serves as the instructional leader of the classroom, partnering closely with an Associate Teacher while cultivating a learning environment where curiosity is encouraged, independence is nurtured, and each child is deeply known.  Successful candidates bring a thoughtful understanding of child development, a commitment to responsive and inclusive teaching practices, and the ability to differentiate instruction for advanced learners. We value educators who approach their work with both intentionality and flexibility, and who see collaboration with colleagues and families as essential to student growth.  Open Window faculty enjoy a culture of professional trust, ongoing dialogue, and shared responsibility for the student experience. Teachers are supported in their growth and are encouraged to innovate within a mission-driven community dedicated to gifted education.  Major Areas of Responsibility/Specific Duties:  Design and implement an engaging, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program that supports the academic, social, and emotional growth of gifted learners.  Serve as the instructional leader of the classroom, guiding planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom culture.  Direct, mentor, and collaborate closely with the Associate Teacher to ensure a cohesive and responsive learning environment.  Differentiate instruction to support a range of readiness levels and learning profiles, using observation and assessment data to inform teaching.  Foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom community grounded in belonging, curiosity, and joyful learning.  Build students’ confidence and independence as learners while supporting the development of early executive functioning and problem-solving skills.  Partner proactively with families, maintaining consistent, clear, and supportive communication about student growth and classroom experiences.  Collaborate with specialist teachers and student support staff to design integrated learning experiences and coordinate student support.  Prepare progress reports that reflect a deep understanding of each child and communicate growth through narrative feedback and assessment tools.  Participate actively in faculty collaboration, school events, and professional learning.  Perform supervisory duties such as lunch and recess coverage and support student well-being across school settings. QualificationsQualities & Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field required.   Three or more years of successful early elementary lead teaching experience.  Teaching certification in Washington state, or a willingness to obtain.  A strong grounding in child development and a classroom practice that reflects it.  Demonstrated professional judgment and the ability to make thoughtful instructional decisions.  Comfort designing curriculum rather than relying solely on scripted programs.  Demonstrated success in differentiating instruction and appropriately challenging advanced learners.  An educator who builds warm, respectful relationships with students while maintaining clear expectations.  Skilled communicator with the judgment to navigate partnerships with families thoughtfully and professionally.  Collaborative by nature and eager to contribute to a reflective, team-oriented faculty.  Genuine interest in gifted education and the learning characteristics of high-potential students.  Position Details:  Manager: Director of the Lower School  Compensation: $63,190.00 - $123,550.00 (based on education and experience)  Position Classification:  Exempt, Full Time; this position is benefit eligible  Hours: School Days and Inservice Days, 8am – 4pm, Tuesdays until 5pm. This role requires some commitments outside these hours including evenings and weekends.   Benefits include:  Sick leave  Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid 100% for employee only coverage)  Employer paid Health Reimbursement Account of $1,750 per plan year  Flexible Spending Accounts  403(b) Retirement Account, Pre-tax & Roth Options (eligible for 3% employer contribution and up to 3% employer match after one year of service)  Life and AD&D Insurance  Long-Term Disability Insurance  Professional development and training opportunities  To Apply:  Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, your resume, and complete all application questions on our Career Opportunities website. Open Window School does not sponsor employment visas.    Please be prepared to provide three professional references if requested. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, feel free to reach out hr@ows.org. Applications should be submitted through the online system and not via email.  Open Window School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, or other status legally protected by local, state, or federal law.