Interim Elementary School Teacher, Grades 1-2

The Mead School; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mead School for Human Development seeks an interim Grade 1-2 teacher to cover November 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 in a co-taught classroom serving first and second grade students.

The ideal candidate will bring strong Language Arts instruction, experience with lower elementary readers, and a commitment to social-emotional development. The school emphasizes small classes and project-based learning, with collaboration across specialists.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching Language Arts in a lower elementary classroom.
• Orton-Gillingham inspired phonics programs preferred.
• 3+ years of teaching experience required.
• Candidates should hold or be working toward a Master’s Degree in Teaching and/or certification in Elementary Education.

Responsibilities

• Teach Language Arts, Social Studies, and mathematics to 1st–2nd grade students.
• Collaborate with specialists for expressive arts, wellness, and social-emotional skill-building.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learners and needs.
• Work with Grades 1–2 team on integrated curriculum and project-based learning.
• Build authentic relationships with students and families.

Skills

Language Arts instruction

Differentiated instruction

Social-emotional development

Reading education

Project-based learning

Education

Master’s Degree in Teaching

Certification in Elementary Education

Tools

Orton-Gillingham

Job description

Interim Elementary School Teacher, Grades 1-2

Interim Elementary School Teacher, Grades 1–2 (November-February)

The Mead School for Human Development seeks to employ the best qualified individuals from available applicants and to provide them with opportunity for advancement in a manner that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.

The Mead School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to the school’s success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

Position Title:

Interim 1-2 Grade Teacher

FLSA:

Exempt

Reports to:

Head of School

FTE:

1.0 Full Time November 1, 2026 - February 28th, 2027

The Mead School for Human Development, a unique infant – grade 8 progressive independent school in Stamford, Connecticut, founded in 1969, seeks a talented and enthusiastic elementary school educator to fill a parental leave position for a co-taught classroom serving first and second grade students.

The Mead School is a singular learning community in Fairfield County, Connecticut, known for its exceptional student-teacher ratios, progressive philosophy, and child-centered approach to learning and development. We encourage candidates to learn more about our community at www.meadschool.org .

This position requires expertise in early elementary Language Arts, including reading, writing, phonics, Social Studies, and mathematics. Mead students also work with specialist teachers for expressive arts, wellness (physical education), and social emotional skill-building. Situated on a verdant 13-acre campus, Mead students enjoy ample time outdoors engaged in experiential learning, play, and exploration.

Our small class sizes, typically ranging from 6–12 students with one section per grade, allow teachers to develop meaningful relationships with students and provide highly individualized instruction.

A successful candidate will:

• Deeply understand the nuances of social emotional development in children ages 6-8.
• Have experience teaching Language Arts in a lower elementary classroom. Experience with Orton-Gillingham inspired phonics programs is preferred.
• Be skilled at differentiating instruction, particularly for capable children who may learn differently. Experience in special education is preferred but not required.
• Understand the importance of developing authentic relationships with students and prioritize those relationships in their practice.
• Be familiar with a broad spectrum of children’s literature.
• Enjoy learning, collaborating, and innovating with colleagues.
• Be familiar with a variety of reading programs and approaches for developing young readers.
• Have experience with multiple approaches to teaching writing.
• Be flexible and open-minded about designing, adapting, and evolving curriculum to meet the needs of students.
• Be an enthusiastic collaborator with the Grades 1–2 team, particularly around integrated curriculum and opportunities for project-based learning.

Candidates for this position should value collaboration with a small, dedicated faculty at a school that places the social and emotional development of children at the center of its work.

Preferred candidates will have 3+ years of teaching experience and hold, or be working toward, a Master’s Degree in Teaching and/or certification in Elementary Education.