Early Childhood Lead Teacher SY 2026/27

Inspired Teaching Demonstration School

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Early Childhood Lead Teacher, SY 2026-27 The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is accepting applications for an early childhood lead teacher for the 2026-27 school year. The school is seeking self-motivated, dynamic, and thoughtful individuals with proven progressive, inquiry-based teaching skills to join the faculty. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School serves PreK3 – 8th grade and seeks highly qualified teachers of all subjects for PreK3 – 8th grade. At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide. THE ROLE OF AN INSPIRED TEACHER Inspired Teachers possess the beliefs, skills, and accomplishments that lead all students to achieve at high levels. To establish a true professional learning community, all adults in the building are considered educators, as they all interact regularly with students. As such, a firm belief and grounding in the philosophy and values of the school's mission is crucial for every employee. It is of the utmost importance that every member of the school’s staff believes that all children can learn and contribute to the vitality of their learning community. This combined with a deep care for all students is the foundation for our work. Master teachers take on the additional responsibility of promoting the school’s mission by hosting and supporting resident teachers, as described in detail below. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School highly values and respects teaching as a profession and teachers as professionals. The school culture places a premium on teacher autonomy and expertise and in turn, expects professionalism and a high level of responsibility from the teaching staff. The school works hard to ensure teachers have a positive and productive work culture, including collegiality among staff, appropriate supports for teaching (including adequate supplies for every classroom), and a respect for teachers as individuals and professionals. Early Childhood Teachers (PreK-3 - Kindergarten) Early Childhood Teachers facilitate a play-based learning environment. In PreK classrooms students develop a love of learning along with the foundational social and academic skills they need for success in a school environment. Kindergarteners continue to thrive in a play-based environment while being introduced to standards for literacy and math. All early childhood classrooms are text, numeracy, and sensory rich environments in which art and physical movement are integrated to ensure a developmentally appropriate school experience. Families are engaged as partners, and early childhood teachers engage in family communication and education events to establish consistency for students between the home and school environments while helping families to understand young children’s developmental needs and the school’s progressive approach.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in a content area. Master's degree preferred.
DC Teaching certification, passing of relevant Praxis exams, or equivalent evidence to be considered highly qualified.
Deep commitment to reflective practice, an ability to give and receive feedback openly and without defensiveness, and a desire to constantly question and improve their teaching practice.
Commitment to creating a school that not only provides an excellent education for the student, but that creates an open, trusting learning environment for educators and the entire staff of the school
Demonstrated capacity to embrace teaching the whole child.
Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, anti-bias practices and comfort and willingness to address issues of equity, access and inclusion.
Strong ability to persevere in the face of ongoing challenges. Teaching is a demanding profession, regularly requiring one to go above and beyond, to solve problems quickly and in the moment, and to find the positive in difficult situations.
Ability to thrive in an innovative environment and an interest in being part of a team that builds the systems that support a growing school.
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in a content area. Master's degree preferred.
Passing of relevant Praxis exams.
Ability to establish strong, trusting, and authentic relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including new and experienced teachers, parents and families, and a diverse local community.
Clear, concise, and persuasive writing and speaking skills.
Integrity and a sense of humor.

Nice To Haves

3 or more years of classroom teaching experience or equivalent relevant work with children will be preferred.
Experience teaching with workshop model preferred.
Experience with restorative justice and/or Responsive Classroom preferred.
Experience in play-based and arts-focused programs preferred.