Founding Director for a Progressive Elementary Microschool on the Sonoma / Mendocino Coast
Salary: Starting at $70k, depending on experience and background
Employment Type: Full-Time
Benefits: Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays; 50% employee coverage for our health, dental, and vision plans; relocation assistance; professional development opportunities; and participation in our retirement program
Location: Gualala, California
Start Date: July 2025
Website: https://www.forager.school/
Seeking a Founding Director and Lead Teacher for a vibrant, progressive, elementary microschool on the California coast in the Sea Ranch / Gualala area. We are looking for candidates interested in designing an experiential and hands-on learning environment that prioritizes a love of learning, creative problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Located in a rural setting, the school will be well integrated with the outdoors and foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.
In its inaugural year, the school will serve 6 to 12 children ages 5 to 9 years old in a mixed-aged classroom. The Director will be supported by an assistant and multiple specialist teachers. Our ideal candidate is excited to build a new school and design curricula that encourage children to be active participants in their own education. Building on the success of The Forager School preschool program, this new elementary program will meet a growing demand to extend a holistic and alternative approach to elementary-age children in our coastal community. This is a unique opportunity to design an inspiring and impactful learning community. A genuine love for teaching and nurturing young minds is a given!
Background:
The Forager School was founded in the fall of 2023 as a licensed childcare center and the only full-day independent preschool in the town of Gualala, CA. We operate as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our board plays an active part in the administration and operations of the school. The philosophy embraces a child-centered approach to learning that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature. Our preschool program fosters a love of discovery in young children while providing a strong foundation in social-emotional development, outdoor exploration, and preliteracy skills. We are poised to expand with an early elementary program starting in the Fall of 2025 for children ages 5 to 9 years old. Some children will be transitioning from The Forager School preschool program, and others will be joining from other K-3 learning environments in the area.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design a learning environment and implement a foundational curriculum that emphasizes academic rigor, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving
- Build a schedule and learning modules that support the learning needs of a mixed-age classroom. Coach supporting teachers to engage a mixed-age classroom and adapt teaching strategies to support expansion (we anticipate expanding by 5 to 7 students annually)
- Incorporate project-based and self-directed learning methodologies to meet students’ interests and learning styles
- Recruit and manage a team of specialist teachers and assistants (e.g., foreign language, music), fostering a collaborative and supportive culture across programs
- Create engaging and developmentally appropriate lessons, experiences, and field trips
- Promote social-emotional learning, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence
- Collaborate with the Director of The Forager School preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and readiness for elementary education
- Partner with the Director of the preschool program to coordinate professional development experiences and staff trainings
- Ensure a safe classroom environment and appropriate emergency preparedness, manage schedules inclusive of recess, snack and lunch, develop classroom rituals, and support after-school program design (3:30 to 5 pm).
- Maintain open communication with parents through regular updates, technology platforms, and constructive feedback
- Build connections within the local community to enhance learning opportunities
- Manage administrative tasks, including staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, policy development, technology tools, classroom buildout, and budgeting for materials
In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following questions, along with a resume to: info@forager.school
What is your approach to teaching in a mixed-age environment? Can you provide a brief example of a 40-minute math or literacy block and how you would approach this time?
What would an ideal Tuesday look like in a mixed-age classroom? Provide us with brief bullets on how you would design a day for a 6-year old student between 8 am - 5 pm (you can include “before school” and “after school” time).
Describe the wildest or most challenging hands-on project you have undertaken with students. What are your key reflections from this experience and how would you do it differently if you were to do it again?
Requirements:
- Experience teaching and developing curricula at the early elementary level, including literacy, math, and science. Experience in a progressive or alternative education setting is a plus
- Knowledge of effective teaching strategies for mixed-age classrooms
- Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices
- Experience supervising, hiring, and supporting teachers and staff
- A degree in Education or a related field
- Up-to-date immunization records
- Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire