Position Description

Serving approximately 170 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade, Dutchess Day School seeks an experienced, full-time First Grade Homeroom Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and dedicated faculty committed to nurturing curiosity, confidence, and character in young learners.

The First Grade Homeroom Teacher leads all aspects of the first-grade classroom program, including English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, and character education. The teacher is responsible for creating a warm, engaging classroom environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of young children.

Responsibilities include planning and delivering engaging lessons, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, assessing student progress, and maintaining clear and consistent communication with families about student growth and development. The teacher will collaborate closely with Lower School colleagues and specialist teachers and contribute positively to a collegial and supportive faculty culture.

Faculty members are expected to participate fully in the life of the school community, including school events, field trips, and occasional evening functions. Dutchess Day School supports faculty growth through collaboration, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.

School Description

Dutchess Day School is an elementary and middle school that provides a strong academic foundation, values children’s natural curiosity, and fosters an enduring enthusiasm for learning. In an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, students are encouraged to take intellectual, athletic, and artistic risks and to develop independence, confidence, and imagination.

Dutchess Day School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Candidates should have 3–5 years of teaching experience and a deep understanding of the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of elementary school students. A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required, and a master’s degree is preferred. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and be motivated to work collaboratively within a robust teaching team.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with early literacy instruction and foundational numeracy
• Familiarity with differentiated instruction
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning practices
• Experience in independent schools or small school settings

About Dutchess Day School

Dutchess Day School is an elementary and middle school that provides a strong academic foundation, values children’s natural curiosity, and fosters an enduring enthusiasm for learning. In an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, students are encouraged to take intellectual, athletic, and artistic risks and to develop independence, confidence, and imagination. Dutchess Day School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

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