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Who we are?
Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Fieldston Lower, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 270 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 60 faculty members.
What is essential about working at our school?
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.
We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.
Position Summary
We are seeking a dedicated Second Grade Head Teacher who considers ethics to be at the core of their work with students and colleagues, and who will contribute to the academic success of all students. Head teachers communicate routinely with families, collaborate with other teachers, and are responsible for developing a healthy, safe, engaging, fun, and effective classroom culture within the School. In your resume or cover letter, please share your experiences and/or interest in working with 2nd Grade students.
This is a one year position beginning on September 1, 2026. This role is a full time 1.0 (full time equivalency) position, and the hiring range will be $75,261-$184,830.
Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities of the Head Teacher will be:
Planning and teaching lessons in all subject areas (math, language arts, social studies, science);
Mentoring an associate teacher;
Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;
Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians at scheduled conferences;
Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations;
Maintaining accurate student record keeping, including grades and attendance;
Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth;
Ensuring the confidentiality of student information as necessary;
Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;
Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; and
Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.
Requirements
The successful incumbent will possess:
A Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree preferred;
At least 3 years of experience teaching elementary school children;
A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;
The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community;
An understanding and commitment to cultural competency and how to support students of all backgrounds;
Knowledge in delivering strategy based literacy and math instruction;
Skill in designing instruction that is data driven, differentiated, and actively engaging;
Previous experience leading morning meetings, such as those outlined by the Responsive Classroom;
Prior experience in developing social studies curricula with a hands-on, developmentally appropriate focus;
A commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website;
Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills;
Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and collaboration;
A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;
The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks;
A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools);
Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and
The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.
To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references.
EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.
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