Lower School Teacher- Leave Replacement

About Portledge School:

Founded in 1965, Portledge School is an independent, pre-nursery through twelfth-grade preparatory day school set on a pastoral 63-acre campus on Long Island's North Shore, just 50 minutes from NYC. Serving approximately 525 students, Portledge offers a rigorous, student-centered college preparatory program delivered through small class sizes and inquiry-based learning. Our community is grounded in the Portledge Pillars of Kindness, Honor, Purpose, and Respect, and we're committed to helping students develop the critical thinking skills and moral courage - defined at Portledge as acting with kindness, honor, purpose, and respect, even when it isn't easy - needed for lifelong learning.

Job Description:

Portledge School seeks a dynamic, student-centered Lower School Homeroom Teacher to serve as a 1st grade leave replacement from approximately February 24, 2027 through June 8, 2027. This is a full-time, temporary position. As a member of the Lower School Division reporting to the Lower School Division Head, this individual will teach and care for a 1st grade homeroom, build positive relationships with students and families, and help sustain a classroom environment where student learning is a non-negotiable goal and passion is evident every day. This role blends daily instruction with collaborative planning, curriculum stewardship, and active participation in the life of the school community.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver consistent, high-quality instruction across the 1st grade homeroom curriculum, including reading, writing, and math.
• Maintain continuity with the classroom teacher's plans and routines, and support a smooth transition at the start and end of the leave.
• Actively evaluate and contribute to the Lower School curriculum, and maintain the Atlas curriculum database for courses taught.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students and communicate clearly and regularly with families.
• Assess student progress, offer effective feedback, and teach students metacognitive strategies.
• Participate collegially in grade-level and division meetings, collaborative planning, and the school's professional learning community.
• Stay current with educational research, pedagogy, and trends related to classroom instruction.
• Support the whole child by attending school events and evening/weekend community programs during the leave period.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• New York State teaching certification in elementary education.
• Strong preparation in teaching reading and writing in grades K–5.
• Superb written and oral communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Familiarity with Google Docs, Drive, and Slides as both a professional collaboration tool and an instructional tool in the classroom.
• A commitment to the Portledge Pillars of Kindness, Honor, Purpose, and Respect.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in education or a related field.
• Training or experience with Primary (Singapore) Math.
• International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme experience.
• Prior experience as a homeroom or leave replacement teacher in grades 1–3.
• Lifelong learners with a passion for teaching and mentoring children, and an interest in teaching subject matter from multiple perspectives.

What We Offer

• Paid Time Off: 10 PTO days annually for full-time employees; part-time PTO prorated based on hours worked.
• Vacation: 15–25 days for full-time, 12-month employees.
• Paid Holidays: up to 18 per year for full-time employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan, with up to 5% employer match for qualifying employees.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage available through UHC/Oxford.
• HSA, FSA, and DCA accounts available for eligible employees.
• Voluntary insurance through Lincoln Life and Aflac.
• Professional development subsidies.
• Free lunch from our in-house food service.
• Tuition remission for eligible employees, budget permitting.
• Graduate assistance for eligible employees, budget permitting.

Application Notes:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by applying directly to the position posted on our Careers Page. Position open until filled.

Start Date:

February 24, 2027 (position concludes June 8, 2027)

Compensation

$200–$225 per day

Website:

https://www.portledge.org