Sidwell Friends, a coeducational Quaker day school in Washington, DC, seeks a First Grade Classroom Teacher to join our Lower School community for the second semester of the 2025–26 school year (February–June). This is a five-month, full-time position covering an employee leave of absence.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative first-grade team of three classrooms, each led by a single classroom teacher and serving 16 students per class. Our Lower School program is grounded in the Quaker belief in the inherent worth and potential of every child. We strive to cultivate joyful, rigorous learning environments where students feel known, challenged, and supported as learners and community members.

About Our Program

The Lower School at Sidwell Friends fosters a deep love of learning and provides students with a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies. Teaching and learning are characterized by intellectual curiosity, purposeful play, and meaningful inquiry. Students are encouraged to think deeply, ask thoughtful questions, take intellectual risks, and connect their learning to the world around them. Quaker values—such as integrity, reflection, community, and respect for each person’s Inner Light—inform all aspects of our work with children.

Qualifications and Dispositions

We seek candidates who:

• Demonstrate a student-centered, whole-child approach to teaching and learning
• Have strong skills in differentiation and supporting diverse learners
• Show a commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices
• Are grounded in research-based best practices, particularly in literacy and mathematics
• Bring strength in language arts and math instruction (familiarity with programs such as Fundations and Illustrative Math is a plus)
• Value collaboration, reflection, and professional growth
• Bring flexibility, warmth, a sense of humor, and strong communication skills to their work

Responsibilities

In addition to classroom teaching, responsibilities for this position include:

• Supporting students’ social-emotional well-being
• Partnering thoughtfully and proactively with families
• Assessing and documenting student learning and growth
• Participating in Meetings for Worship, faculty meetings, duties, and school events
• Collaborating closely with grade-level colleagues and other Lower School faculty
• Supporting admissions and community life as appropriate

Sidwell Friends is a highly collaborative professional environment, and classroom teachers work closely with colleagues to design and deliver an innovative, reflective, and developmentally responsive program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field (required)
• Advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of three years of successful elementary teaching experience

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

About Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School (SFS) is a PK-12, co-educational Quaker day school with campuses in Washington, D.C., and Bethesda, Maryland. Founded in 1883, the School is a nonprofit, tax-exempt institution governed by an independent Board of Trustees. A Sidwell Friends education aims to help students become the leaders of the future. To that end, the School seeks qualified individuals with the knowledge, skills, and ability to enhance the student experience and strengthen our community. Sidwell Friends maintains a generous salary and benefits package that supports and rewards our employees while helping them to deepen their professional expertise and grow as individuals. For teaching positions, a master’s degree and teaching experience in the field are preferred; a bachelor’s degree is required. For staff positions, we seek candidates with relevant experience, a commitment to excellence, and an enthusiasm for being a member of our vibrant and diverse community.

Connections working at Sidwell Friends School