Lower Elementary Teacher/Foundations Educator

Red Pine Learning Community in South Hadley, MA, seeks a Lower Elementary teacher who embraces a nontraditional, child-centered approach to learning, starting in Fall 2026.

We offer small class sizes, opportunities to work with a variety of ages from 5 years to 9 years (grades K-3), and a collaborative community where educators have a meaningful voice and agency in shaping curriculum and learning experiences.

Red Pine Learning Community (RPLC) welcomes children, families, and households who are medically vulnerable, seeking to avoid illness, navigating food allergies, or generally committed to creating a safe and inclusive community. The safety of our students is our top priority. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families are welcome.

RPLC provides hands-on educational experiences in a mixed-age nontraditional classroom that values curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with the world. As a primarily outdoor school, most learning takes place on our grounds and nearby trails.

We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration and direct experience. Social emotional learning is a core part of our educational philosophy. Educators play an active role in shaping the curriculum and learning culture of our community, collaborating to design learning experiences that emerge from children’s interests, the natural environment, and our community's needs while supporting both academic and developmental growth.

Consider applying for this position if you:

• Have experience with and enjoy teaching reading, writing, and math to lower elementary-age children
• Embrace a nontraditional, child-centered approach to education
• Are excited to design and adapt curriculum for a mixed-age group
• Communicate clearly, compassionately, and respectfully with children and adults
• Build strong relationships with students, coworkers, and families
• Value being a member of a small and supportive professional team
• Are organized, flexible, proactive, responsible, and reliable
• Enjoy spending time outdoors in all seasons

Responsibilities

• Identify, design, adapt, and implement curriculum in reading, writing, and math for students in mixed-age groups (grades K-3)
• Review materials for anti-bias, anti-racist, and inclusive content
• Lead effective and engaging instruction in a mixed-age environment
• Collaborate closely with an assistant teacher to support students and class goals
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and class activities
• Assess student learning and use observations and data to inform curriculum and instruction
• Prioritize the safety of students
• Contribute to maintaining organized and clean teaching spaces
• Organize learning experiences for outdoor classrooms and adapt locations and plans as needed
• Implement responsibilities outlined in Individualized Health Plans (IHPs) and support students and the larger classroom in meeting their needs
• Contribute to all aspects of a small school community including curriculum development, classroom care, and communication with families
• Participate in professional development and reflective practice

Required Qualifications

• Massachusetts Teaching License for Elementary (preferred) or preK-2, or another state teaching license for similar ages
• Able to wear an N95/KN95/KF94 mask for multiple hours consistent with RPLC’s health policy
• Able to move around outdoors, leading children on trails up to two miles per day, and lifting up to 30 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years experience teaching lower elementary students
• School administration or educational leadership experience
• Experience with outdoor, experiential, project-based, or other nontraditional educational settings is welcomed

Educators receive paid sick time and paid personal time off. A stipend and paid time for professional development are available.