Job Description
Lower School Teacher (4th Grade) Carolina Friends School - 4.2 Durham, NC Job Details Full-time 23 hours ago Qualifications Employee relationship building Student-centered approaches (student motivation techniques) Parent-teacher conferences (communication methods) Full Job Description Lower School Teacher (4th Grade)
The Opportunity:
Carolina Friends School is seeking a passionate, motivated, and experienced Lower School homeroom teacher for students in 4th Year (4th), beginning in August 2026. The teacher will join a Lower School staff of skilled, dedicated teachers committed to the growth of the whole child and continually developing a student-centered, mission-driven curriculum. As a member of a classroom team of teachers, this teacher will be responsible for teaching in small groups and with the whole class, using a variety of co-teaching structures, planning a developmentally appropriate curriculum, maintaining close communication with parents/guardians, and writing in-depth narrative assessments for students. In addition, this teacher will serve on school-wide committees, participate in our new staff mentoring program, and participate in school-wide staff development. Teachers at CFS enjoy a school community committed to a pedagogy rooted in Quaker thought and practice. We strive to collaborate toward the realization of every child's highest potential in the classroom, community, and wider world. Building on our roots as one of the first purposefully integrated schools in the region, CFS actively seeks students and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds. The Lower School The Lower School, strongly rooted in Quaker philosophy and student-centered practice, nurtures the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical growth of the whole child. The School focuses on the unique worth of the individual, recognizing that each child grows in different dimensions and at different rates. The Lower School also recognizes that children learn best by doing, by engaging in activity; learning is enhanced as children use their senses and interact with their environment. As they experiment and explore, answering questions of real relevance, children develop skills of inquiry, reasoning, problem-solving, and communication. Located on the main campus of Carolina Friends School, rooms in the Lower School are open, colorful, and designed for maximum flexibility, providing space for independent study, group learning, and play. The large playground invites a variety of creative play activities, while the School's creek and wooded, rural setting offer an ideal environment for exploration and nature study. One of the Lower School's greatest strengths is its community of talented, dedicated, and collegial teachers. The School is fortunate to attract outstanding educators who see teaching as a calling, as an art, and as an opportunity to nurture the whole child. CFS staff possess strong academic backgrounds and enthusiastically embrace lifelong learning. They are self-directed thinkers, always considering how best to meet their students' needs. We welcome new teachers to the School who share similar educational goals and with whom Carolina Friends School's philosophy and practice resonate. Strong candidates will demonstrate:
Core Responsibilities Designing, planning, and implementing instruction for 4th Year students in a co-teaching structure across all subject areas, including literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning Guiding the learning of students in both whole group and small group structures, and being the first point of contact for the grown-ups and caregivers of a group of 10 students in particular Assessing, documenting, and communicating effectively about student growth and development throughout the school year Using a rich repertoire of teaching strategies and multiple approaches to instruction based on student need, differentiating tasks and implementing accommodations for individual students Partnering with co-teachers, the Lower School Head Teacher, learning support staff, and specialists in support of the student learning experience Writing progress reports to document student learning and growth Meeting with families for conferences about academic progress and social-emotional development, and on an as-needed basis throughout the year Desired Qualities and Qualifications Demonstrate an affinity for and interest in the Quaker values as embodied in the CFS community Demonstrate commitment to understanding and exploring how power and inequality, influenced by factors such as race, class, gender, sexuality, neurodivergence, and different physical abilities, impact our students, families, and colleagues Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of three years of lead classroom teaching experience Strong understanding of child development and a passion for working with students in the Lower School years In-depth knowledge of elementary curricula and best practices for research-based teaching and learning The ability to develop positive working relationships with all constituencies, including students, families, and staff High emotional intelligence and exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Experience with engaging students in class discussions, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills Commitment to professional development as a lifelong learner with a growth mindset Proficiency with digital communication and tools, and the ability to integrate technology effectively in the classroom Ability to provide educational experiences that include diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to create community and learning with students through a culturally responsive lens An orientation toward taking initiative and self-direction Desire to work in a dynamic independent school as a team player, and ability to meet varied demands with integrity, enthusiasm, creativity, and flexibility. How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit, in one complete PDF file, the following to , with Lower School Teacher indicated in the subject line: Cover Letter Resume Statement of Educational Philosophy Names and contact information for three references Resume reviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. CFS reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as all required materials are compiled. APPLICANTS
Please review the Who We Are, Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity, and Important Information for All Applicants sections on the CFS employment seekers page. Carolina Friends School actively strives to be a community of staff, students, and families of diverse backgrounds. CFS does not discriminate based on age, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, socio-economic background, family structure, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, or military service in the administration of its policies and programs.
