Posted: 04-Mar-26
Location: Menlo Park, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $75,000-$135,000
Categories:
First Grade Lead Classroom Teacher
Overview of Position
The lead classroom teacher facilitates hands-on projects and promotes collaboration among
students. Furthermore, the teacher is attuned to the specific learning needs and social and
emotional development of each student. As the central figure in the network of adults supporting
each child, the teacher maintains ongoing communications, formal and informal, with parents,
specialists, and administrators. The position requires a strong understanding of best practices
and emerging research regarding teaching and learning, as well as a deep understanding of the
importance of social emotional learning. A successful candidate must love working with children,
possess a nurturing teaching style, and interact productively with parents/guardians.
The Lead Classroom Teacher position is an exempt, full-time,10-month in-person position
reporting to the Associate Head of School for Academics. The start date is August 5, 2026.
Primary Responsibilities
Professional Practices
? Perform professional job responsibilities as assigned by being prompt and on time for
the various duties, faculty meetings, carpool, and end-of-school day responsibilities.
? Commit to ongoing professional development and staying abreast of current research in
pedagogy.
? Model integrity, kindness, and respect for all persons in our school community, both in
and outside of the workplace.
? Support the professional growth of an associate teacher or co-teacher with clear
expectations, opportunities for demonstrations, and constructive feedback.
? Actively seek professional growth opportunities as recommended by the school’s
administration or on your own.
Learning Environment
? Establish a classroom learning environment with clear and consistent expectations to
promote student autonomy and engagement.
? Actively engage and support specialist teachers as requested.
? Provide opportunities for students to have a voice in their learning that fosters intrinsic
motivation and helps them understand themselves as learners.
? Use a variety of resources and teaching strategies to enhance student learning.?
Make learning visible in the classroom through documentation.
? Create safe spaces for children to take emotional and academic risks to help them
develop their confidence and positive self-esteem.
Student Management
? Ensure the safety of each child by supervising and engaging in recess games, lunch,
and transitions between classrooms.
? Collaborate, model, and support class behavior expectations on campus, on the
playground, and in the classroom that aligns with Responsive Schools practices.
? Guide differentiated instruction and foster independence by providing choices to meet
individual student’s needs.
? Model and support each student’s character and emotional development, along with
helping them navigate their ever-changing social world with age-appropriate kindness
and respect.
Curricular Practices
? Collaborate with the teaching team and contribute to the continuous curriculum
development, classroom procedures, and general classroom community by offering
observations and suggesting opportunities to enhance student learning.
? Implement the pillars of our curriculum to support the program and mission of the school.
? Teach an intentional social-emotional learning curriculum that includes Responsive
Schools practices.
? Contribute to interdisciplinary curriculum design and student support strategies with the
grade-level team and specialist teachers.
? Create differentiated learning experiences that align with formative assessments.
? Perform formative and informative assessments to check for student understanding and
share those observations with the grade level team and support faculty.
? Write semester progress reports narrative.
? Other duties as assigned or required to maintain campus in the highest level of
condition.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- At least three years of experience teaching elementary school.
- Specific experience teaching at the grade level is preferred.
- A Multiple Subject Credential and a master’s degree in education or a related field is desirable.
- A demonstrated understanding of Responsive Classroom, inquiry-based learning, and differentiated instruction.
Compensation and Benefits
The full-time salary range for this position is $75,000 - $135,000. The starting salary depends on
factors that include background, years of experience, education level, and skill level.
PBS offers an employee benefit package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, life
insurance plans, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account and a generous
retirement plan match. Eligibility rules apply.
To Apply
Qualified, interested candidates may apply for the position through the online Phillips Brooks
Employment Website. Please submit your application information - letter of interest, a
CV/resume with your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three
professional references (include supervisors).
Phillips Brooks School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive workplace. All aspects of employment at PBS are governed on the basis of
competence, merit, and qualifications. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of
race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital
status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition,
genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences — including those with
professional experience outside the field of education — who share our commitment to fostering
a vibrant, inclusive school community.
About Phillips Brooks School
Phillips Brooks School is a vibrant and innovative Early Learning Center (ELC) to 5th grade
school committed to fostering a love of learning in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Located on a beautiful campus in Menlo Park, California and serving 300 students, we instill
values of courage, kindness, community, and a passion for lifelong learning.
For more information about Phillips Brooks School, visit our website at Phillips Brooks School.