Third Grade Teacher – Project Approach School

North American Reggio Emilia Alliance; North Carolina; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke School, a leader in project-based learning, seeks an experienced Lower School Teacher. This role includes collaborating with a co-teacher, engaging students through inquiry-driven projects, and fostering an inclusive environment. Ideal candidates will hold an Elementary Education Degree and possess a passion for driving student growth through innovative teaching practices.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Comprehensive Benefits

Retirement Plan

Qualifications

• At least three years of teaching experience required.
• Understanding of developmental stages of elementary students necessary.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Guide inquiry-based projects integrating multiple disciplines.
• Design and deliver differentiated instruction in core content areas.
• Build relationships with students, colleagues, and families.

Skills

Child Development

Curriculum Design

Collaboration

Classroom Management

Effective Communication

Education

Elementary Education Degree

Master-level Training

Job description

Third Grade Teacher – Project Approach School

Location:

Duke School | Durham, NC

Start Date: August 4, 2025

Description, Responsibilities, & Duties

Duke School — a nationally recognized leader in project-based learning — seeks an experienced Lower School (Third or Fourth Grade) Teacher to join our vibrant, inclusive learning community in Durham, North Carolina. Rooted in a commitment to rigorous, joyful, inquiry-driven education, to developmentally grounded teaching, and to fostering a community of belonging, Duke School empowers students and educators to grow, collaborate, and lead with purpose.

As a Lower School Teacher at Duke School, you will:

• Serve as one of two teachers (co-teacher model) in a classroom of approximately 24 students, sharing tasks for planning, implementation, student evaluation, classroom management, and communication in a highly collaborative setting that promotes reflection and mutual support.
• Guide rich, inquiry-based projects that integrate multiple disciplines, emphasizing social studies and science curriculum reflective of standards and benchmarks for those disciplines.
• Design and deliver differentiated, explicit instruction in core content areas of reading, writing, and mathematics through a workshop approach.
• Build strong relationships with students, colleagues, and families to support the holistic development of each learner
• Contribute actively to a collaborative, reflective, and forward-thinking faculty culture within the Lower School Division and as a member of the schoolwide community.

You are:

• An experienced educator with a deep understanding of child development and best practices in teaching
• A believer in the strength and capacity of learners, student agency, and authentic learning
• A skilled facilitator of both academic and social-emotional growth
• A lifelong learner who values collaboration and innovation in education
• A committed advocate for DEIB, dedicated to making all students and families feel seen, valued, and cared for, bringing a culturally responsive lens to teaching

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

• An elementary education degree and at least three years of teaching experience, master-level training is preferred.
• An understanding of the developmental stages of elementary students and a foundation in social-emotional learning practices
• Demonstrated skill in designing and implementing elementary curriculum, instruction, and evaluative measures aligned with Duke School’s mission and progressive, inquiry-based approach
• Clear communicator, in writing and orally
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• The critical ability to work collaboratively with a teaching partner
• A strong sense of professionalism and interest in being part of a school community

Salary & Benefits

Salary is competitive, based on years of experience and education level. Benefits and retirement offered.

Duke School, located in Durham, N.C., offers an exceptional project-based learning environment for approximately 500 students in Preschool through Eighth Grade. Preschool (3s and 4s)-Kindergarten comprises the Early Childhood Division, grades 1-4 comprise Lower School, and grades 5-8 comprise Middle School. At all grade levels, educators employ The Project Approach, seeking to develop high levels of analytical and critical thinking skills among students. Beginning at preschool, students engage in the phases of the Project Approach, connecting their own stories and understandings to a topic, investigating and engaging in deep inquiry, authentic research, and collaborative discovery, representing their learning, and culminating their learning in meaningful community presentations that celebrate their in-depth research, student voice, agency, and joyful collaboration. This engaging process is fully integrated in Kindergarten-Eighth Grades with explicit instruction in the workshop-based academic disciplines of reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social sciences, and Spanish. This engaging, unique, yet rigorous approach to educating students is implemented by a collaborative team of two teachers in each classroom at every grade level. Duke School believes the social curriculum is equally vital and is guided by the Responsive Classroom and Developmental Design frameworks to foster a respectful, inclusive, and caring learning environment. Duke School is committed to equity and justice and aspires to be a community where every member feels engaged, heard, and valued. We embrace the contributions of all community members as we foster a culture of respect. Sharing perspectives and experiences beyond our own boundaries through exploration, introspection, and civil discourse is integral to our mission of creating an inclusive learning environment.

Your support will help us advance the quality of every child's one childhood.

Together, we are empowering exceptional education.