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Posted: 13-May-26
Location: Oakland, California
Type: Full Time
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Reports to: Head of School or designee
Position Status: Full-Time
Location: Aurora School, Oakland, CA
Start Date: August 1, 2025
About Aurora School
Aurora School is an independent, progressive K–8 school in Oakland committed to academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and social engagement. Our inclusive community nurtures creativity, leadership, and a genuine love of learning, developing self-aware, confident students who advocate for themselves and others.
Aurora’s Lower School program is grounded in inquiry, experiential and project-based learning, authentic relationships, and a deep understanding of child development. We believe rigor emerges through deep thinking, meaningful engagement, and authentic application of skills and concepts. We also believe children learn best when they feel safe, known, challenged, and inspired. Our classrooms foster creativity, social-emotional growth, interdisciplinary exploration, collaboration, critical thinking, and hands-on learning within a culture of both academic challenge and belonging.
Aurora’s Lower School is intentionally designed around multi-age classroom communities (K/1, 2/3, and 4/5), where students learn through collaboration, mentorship, differentiated instruction, and relationship-centered teaching. We believe multi-age learning environments foster confidence, empathy, leadership, and deeper academic growth while encouraging students to learn from and alongside one another.
As Aurora continues to grow its Lab School model, we value educators who see themselves as lifelong learners and reflective practitioners. Our classrooms serve as spaces of inquiry, innovation, and professional learning, where teachers collaborate, reflect on practice, and contribute to the evolution of progressive education.
We are especially excited to partner with educators who are warm, grounded, collaborative, and eager to bring creativity, curiosity, and thoughtful practice into the classroom.
About the Position
Aurora School is seeking a warm, reflective, and highly skilled Lower School Lead Teacher to join our K–5 faculty. The ideal candidate is an experienced educator who creates joyful, engaging classroom environments where students are challenged academically while also feeling deeply supported socially and emotionally.
In this role, you will:
- Lead a dynamic and engaging Lower School classroom rooted in inquiry, creativity, and developmentally responsive teaching.
- Create a safe and inclusive learning environment that supports students’ social-emotional growth and fosters a strong classroom community.
- Foster a classroom culture where students learn to think critically, engage respectfully across differences, and develop empathy, self-awareness, and social responsibility.
- Design meaningful learning experiences that encourage curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking, and independence.
- Partner closely with families through clear communication, strong relationships, and shared investment in student growth.
- As a Lower School Lead Teacher at Aurora, you will help shape students’ foundational academic skills, confidence, and sense of belonging while contributing to a cohesive and innovative K–8 program.
What We Look for in a Lead Teacher
A Whole-Self Approach to Education
Aurora educators create safe, joyful, inclusive spaces where children develop emotional intelligence, confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging. We believe social-emotional learning is foundational to academic growth and intentionally teach skills such as self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy communication.
Our educators model these skills in their own practice, drawing on strong emotional intelligence and relational awareness to guide students through real-life moments of learning, reflection, and repair.
A Commitment to Equity, Belonging & Critical Thinking
Aurora is committed to cultivating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, and inclusive school community where every child and family is affirmed in their full identity.
Our educators design classroom practices that honor diverse identities, backgrounds, cultures, and family structures, and actively work to interrupt bias when it appears. In developmentally appropriate ways, we guide students to explore questions of fairness, belonging, and community, helping them develop empathy, perspective-taking, and thoughtful dialogue.
We seek educators who are reflective and self-aware, who understand how their identities and biases shape their teaching, and who approach their work with humility, openness to feedback, and a commitment to growth.
A Deep Understanding of Early Childhood Development
You understand the developmental needs of elementary-aged students and can create learning environments that balance structure and flexibility, academic challenge and joy, independence and support.
A Growth Mindset & Love for Learning
You are reflective, curious, and committed to continuous improvement. You seek feedback, collaborate with colleagues, and bring energy and openness to your professional practice. You are excited to experiment, try new ideas, and bring creativity and innovation into the classroom in ways that support student curiosity and engagement.
A Relational Approach to Community
You build trusted relationships with students, families, colleagues, and the wider community. You communicate clearly, follow through consistently, and contribute meaningfully to Aurora’s culture of belonging, enrollment, and retention.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum & Instruction:
- Design and evolve curriculum aligned with Aurora’s mission and responsive to students’ curiosity, developmental needs, and emerging interests.
Create engaging learning experiences through inquiry, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary instruction. - Facilitate classroom experiences that nurture curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
- Differentiate instruction to support a range of learners and learning styles.
- Use observation, assessment, documentation, and reflection to understand student growth and inform instruction.
- Integrate technology and other resources thoughtfully when they enhance learning.
- Participate in Aurora’s evolving teacher inquiry cycle, investigating questions about teaching and learning and sharing insights with colleagues as part of our growing Lab School model.
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through reflection, collaboration, professional development, and openness to innovation.
Classroom Management & Environment:
- Create a safe and welcoming classroom community where students feel secure, respected, and ready to learn.
- Establish clear routines and structures that support independence, responsibility, and collaboration.
- Design thoughtful classroom environments that invite creativity, exploration, and meaningful learning.
- Guide students through social-emotional learning moments using developmentally appropriate strategies that support emotional regulation, empathy, and problem-solving.
- Approach conflict and behavior through restorative, relationship-centered, and developmentally appropriate practices that help students build accountability, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
Family & Community Engagement:
- Build strong partnerships with families through clear communication, trust, and shared care for each child’s growth and well-being.
- Share insights about student learning through meaningful feedback, conferences, and regular communication about classroom life and curriculum.
- Communicate regularly with families about student progress, classroom experiences, and upcoming learning opportunities.
- Write and distribute regular class newsletters that keep families connected to classroom experiences and learning.
- Document and share student learning through regular portfolio updates on Toddle.
Professional Development & Collaboration: - Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and school-wide initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with Lower School colleagues, specialists, and school leadership to support a cohesive K–8 learning experience.
- Engage in ongoing reflection and professional growth to strengthen teaching practice.
- Contribute to the life of the school through committees, occasional evening or weekend events, admissions activities, and community gatherings.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Organize and supervise field trips that support classroom learning and exploration.
- Support and supervise students during assigned recess and lunch periods, helping maintain a safe, positive community environment.
- Prepare lesson plans and materials for substitute teachers as needed.
- Attend and support school events such as Tinker Faire, admissions events, and other community gatherings.
- Participate in the interview process for new staff as appropriate.
Desired Traits
- A warm, energetic presence who cultivates a joyful classroom where curiosity, belonging, and engagement thrive.
- Experience teaching social-emotional learning skills in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
- Experience supporting neurodiverse learners and creating classroom environments where different learning styles and needs are understood, respected, and supported.
- Comfort designing integrated learning experiences that connect ideas across subjects and invite students to explore meaningful questions.
- Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students and families.
Qualifications
At least 3 years of successful elementary teaching experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education preferred.
California teaching credential preferred.
Experience with progressive education, inquiry-driven and project-based learning, and/or constructivist teaching models.
Strong classroom management grounded in emotional intelligence and developmentally appropriate practice.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally sustaining teaching practices.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and education. Aurora offers health and retirement benefits, disability insurance, and professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to
Lynsey Kamine, Head of School: lkamine@auroraschool.org
Aurora School is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and evaluate all candidates based on merit.
Learn more at www.auroraschool.org.
