Salary Range: $81,000 - $178,000. The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.

Exemption Status: Exempt

The Dalton School, a progressive K-12 gender-inclusive school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is consistently recognized as one of the preeminent independent day schools in the nation. Known for its child-centered approach and an exceptional, inspiring faculty, Dalton enrolls over 1,300 students with approximately 350 faculty and staff. Guided by the Dalton Plan, the foundation of a Dalton education, our faculty meets each student’s evolving needs, interests, and abilities. Dalton challenges each student to develop intellectual independence, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility toward others both within the School and in the broader community.

The First Program at the Dalton School seeks a full-time Kindergarten House Advisor (Head Teacher) to join the faculty beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The ideal candidate understands progressive education and has at least three years of lead teacher experience with child-centered, differentiated curricula. The ideal candidate also brings a self-reflective nature, growth-mindset, and positive attitude to the classroom and greater community. They look forward to overseeing an academically rigorous, creative classroom that validates and supports each child. Excellent communication skills with students, colleagues, and parents, a deep developmental understanding of the 4-6 year old child, the willingness to collaborate and reflect on one's practice, and a sense of humor are essential. In addition, candidates should be fully invested in supervising and mentoring an Associate Teacher, helping her/him/them become experienced in all areas of life in a classroom. 

The objectives of teaching at The Dalton School include:

• Creating a safe and inclusive classroom experience for students and their families.
• Creating an integrated curriculum using a hands-on approach that fosters problem-solving, nurtures social-emotional growth, and encourages intellectual curiosity.
• Tailoring each student's program to his/her/their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Promoting independence and dependability.
• Enhancing the student's social skills both inside and outside of the Dalton community.

 Qualifications:

• Commitment to the mission of The Dalton School, as well as the school’s ongoing dedication to inclusion and belonging initiatives.
• A Master's degree in education is required.
• Minimum of three years lead teaching experience in an elementary classroom setting required.
• Lead teaching experience in K-1 setting is preferred.
• Strong communication (verbal, written, interpersonal) skills with students, colleagues, and families.
• Demonstrated organization and planning skills; strong attention to detail, as well as follow-up and follow-through skills to ensure completion of goals and objectives.
• Strong background and knowledge of the teaching of elementary reading, phonics, writing, math, social studies, and social-emotional skills.
• Experience with Fundations curriculum is strongly preferred.
• Strong proficiency with technology is required.
• Ability to work and collaborate with a large teaching team including supervisors, peers, and mentees.
• Ability to develop lesson-plans aligned with grade level goals, skills, and essential questions via child-centered, inquiry based units of study.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ease in effectively prioritizing multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

The Dalton School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law in the administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the employment portal using the following link - https://www.dalton.org/employment

About The Dalton School

The Dalton School is an independent, co-educational day school (K-12), founded in 1919 by the renowned progressive educator Helen Parkhurst. Parkhurst’s visionary Dalton Plan remains the keystone of the school’s progressive educational philosophy and is now the model for over 200 Dalton schools in other parts of the world. The Dalton School is the innovative leader in developing creative problem solvers who identify issues, grapple with possibilities, and design solutions to global challenges from multiple perspectives. Dalton is recognized for its rigorous, innovative educational curriculum and offers its 1,300 students a breadth of stimulating and challenging programs taught by our dedicated faculty. Our high academic standards are complemented by an exemplary performing and fine arts curriculum – taught by faculty who are professionals in their fields – and a full range of athletic teams and extra-curricular activities. The Dalton School actively seeks to forward diversity through its programs and hiring.

Connections working at The Dalton School