Early Childhood Lead Teacher - 2026-27 School Year

Woodland School•Portola Valley, CA

3h•$35 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

Woodland School seeks an inspiring and nurturing early childhood lead teacher to join our talented instructional team. The Woodland School Early Childhood Center serves up to 36 children, ages 3-5, in beautifully designed learning environments. Our approach to teaching and learning is rooted in the theory that children learn best through play, with ample opportunities for self-directed choices. We use an emergent, project-based approach to play-based learning where children have opportunities to pursue self-directed interest both indoors and outdoors. We address physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional and classroom readiness skills for a well-balanced curriculum that meets children where they are and challenges them to reach new levels. Through intentional teaching and developmentally appropriate practices, our teachers guide a generation of children to become creative, compassionate, critical thinkers in today’s ever-changing world. Our instructional program follows a standard academic calendar, beginning in August and ending in June. Teaching four weeks of our summer program is required and can be extended to six weeks. This position features a competitive salary, paid leave, access to professional development, and other benefits, such as paid Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, Winter Break, Presidents Week Break, and time during the summer. In addition, this role receives regular release time from the classroom for lesson planning. Woodland School is an independent day school that offers a joyful approach to learning in a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for approximately 305 students in early childhood through eighth grade. Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual’s voice, intellect, and character. With rich content and an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-driven projects, students are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students’ sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School. Teachers craft meaningful, multisensory learning experiences which enable creativity, ingenuity, and deep interdisciplinary connections. Students explore and develop complex understandings that engender a sense of self and purpose in the world. Woodland School’s faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school – stewardship, integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, and respect. Our teachers apply best practices through collaboration, integrated curriculum, brain-based teaching and learning methods, and continued professional development. Our teachers are themselves learners, constantly searching for ways to improve their practice. A robust professional development program supports our faculty by connecting them to the best practices in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational technology, and student assessment. Woodland School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity.

Requirements

B.A. degree in education or early childhood education required.
Minimum of 12 ECE units or CTC Child Development Teacher permit or greater required.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience teaching preschool or kindergarten children, preferably as a lead.
Successful completion of all required background checks and health screenings.

Nice To Haves

Exhibits strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Communicates effectively and respectfully with all constituents, in writing and in person.
Demonstrates professionalism, including good judgment and strong integrity.
Experience using digital ongoing authentic assessment tools for early childhood education, such as Teaching Strategies GOLD or DRDP.
Experience using Zoom and other technologies to facilitate distance learning.
Experience creating robust lesson plans and facilitating project-based curriculum.

Responsibilities

Educate a class of children, ages 3-5, with the support of a full-time teaching partner.
Create a warm and nurturing learning environment for children and families.
Maintain an organized, inviting, and clean physical environment.
Frequently document and display relevant and current student work.
Engage in positive ongoing collaboration with colleagues and families.
Partner with early childhood faculty members to develop engaging units of study using the Project Approach.
Utilize developmentally appropriate practices to support each child’s executive functioning, self-regulation, and social/emotional development.
Intentionally differentiate instruction for children with a range of skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Regularly collect student data using Teaching Strategies GOLD, an early childhood assessment tool, to inform planning.
Write and submit detailed weekly lesson plans, in partnership with early childhood teaching faculty members.
Participate in ongoing coaching cycles, team meetings, and other relevant professional development opportunities.
Demonstrate reflective teaching practices.
Facilitate formal and informal parent teacher conferences throughout the year.
Prepare and finalize student developmental assessments.
Coordinate classroom logistics for special events.
Consistently demonstrate professionalism, including good judgment and strong integrity.
Attend occasional school-wide and program-specific activities outside of the school day, as needed.
Facilitate learning, including group meetings, read alouds, and other lessons.
Adhere to all rules, regulations, and requirements governing child care programs, as set forth by the state of California.