Sidwell Friends School, a coeducational Quaker day school, seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and student-centered Third Grade Classroom Teacher to join its Lower School faculty for the 2026–2027 school year.

The successful candidate will co-lead a homeroom of approximately 22 students with a teaching partner. Third grade includes a cohort of approximately 60 students across three classrooms—two co-taught classrooms of 22 students and one single-teacher classroom of 16 students. As a member of a five-person third grade teaching team, this educator will help cultivate a joyful, rigorous learning environment grounded in curiosity, inquiry, and deep respect for each child’s unique learning journey.

Rooted in the Quaker belief in the Inner Light of every person, the Lower School fosters classrooms where students feel known, challenged, and supported as learners and community members. This role is well suited to an educator who values collaboration, reflection, and professional growth and who brings warmth, flexibility, and curiosity to their work with children.

About the Lower School Program

The Lower School nurtures a love of learning and builds a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies. Teaching is guided by intellectual curiosity, meaningful inquiry, and developmentally responsive practice. Students are encouraged to think deeply, ask thoughtful questions, take intellectual risks, and connect their learning to the world around them. Quaker values—integrity, reflection, community, and respect for each person’s Inner Light—inform all aspects of school life.

Key Responsibilities

The Third Grade Classroom Teacher will:

• Co-plan and co-teach reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies

• Create an inclusive, student-centered classroom environment that nurtures curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking

• Design and implement differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners

• Collaborate closely with co-teachers, grade-level colleagues, and Lower School faculty to design and refine curriculum

• Support students’ social-emotional development using responsive, developmentally appropriate practices

• Partner thoughtfully and proactively with families to support student growth

• Assess and document student learning through a variety of formative and summative measures

• Participate fully in the life of the school, including Meetings for Worship, faculty responsibilities, and community events

• Support admissions and broader community initiatives as appropriate

• Align with and integrate key instructional approaches such as structured literacy, Illustrative Math, and Responsive Classroom

Sidwell Friends is a highly collaborative professional environment where teachers work together to deliver an innovative, reflective, and developmentally responsive program.

Qualifications and Dispositions

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field

• At least three years of successful elementary classroom teaching experience

• Demonstrated success in co-teaching or team-based instructional environments

• Strong differentiation skills and experience supporting diverse learners

• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices

• Deep belief in a student-centered, whole-child approach

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Education or related field

• Experience with structured literacy, Illustrative Math, and/or Responsive Classroom

• Familiarity with Quaker education and/or independent schools

• Strength in language arts and mathematics instruction

Salary

• Salary Range $62,096-$132,180. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To Apply

To be considered, qualified candidates must upload a cover letter, resume, and three references through our online application system (ClearCo). To learn more about our school, please visit https://www.sidwell.edu.

Diversity Statement

Sidwell Friends School affirms the centrality of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and campus life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by Quaker testimonies and seek to answer the question, “How do we nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world