LREI (Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School) seeks educators committed to exploring progressive pedagogy. Candidates with diverse experiences are encouraged to apply. The school is seeking a Lower School Head Teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.    

Overview of the position: 

The Elementary program at LREI is based on building community, experiential learning, and growing motivated, self-directed learners. Students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, take courageous steps towards their own learning, and engage in activities that help them make sense of their world. Social studies, literacy, math, outdoor play, and specials such as science, Spanish, gymnastics, art, shop, and music comprise the school day of Lower School. Social-emotional, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and academic development are embedded in areas of the curriculum.     

Specific requirements of the position:  

• commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website  

• commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice  

• commitment to a social studies based elementary experience  

• ability to create a nurturing classroom with high educational expectations  

• use a variety of formative assessment tools 

• in conjunction with classroom observations to record student progress  

• maintain frequent family communication  

• supervise and mentor associate teachers  

• collaborate with other classroom teachers, learning support teachers, and specialist teachers in the planning and implementation of curricula  

• a master’s degree in education and at least three years of successful experience as a teacher are preferred, but alternate pathways into the profession will be considered  

• candidate’s pedagogy should be student-centered and practiced in differentiated instruction  including: TERC Investigations & Contexts for Learning, direct phonics instruction and differentiated reading instruction, literature discussions, one-on-one and small group conferences, writing workshop (including effective mini-lessons)

• familiarity with technology to support teaching

• strong written and oral communication skills and experience communicating with constituents in various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups

• initiative, creativity, flexibility, and collaboration

Salary Range:

Annual salary of $69,056.52 - $132,556.40 (depending on experience and education) plus benefits.

Overview of the School:  

Founded in 1921 by Elisabeth Irwin (a contemporary and colleague of John Dewey, Caroline Pratt, and Lucy Sprague Mitchell), The Little Red School House has been at the vanguard of pedagogical innovation since its founding. LREI’s goal is to educate students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners and to pursue academic excellence and individual achievement, in a context of respect for others and service to the community. We believe that learning should be active and experiential, with the school providing abundant opportunities for students to excel. We accept students with a range of abilities and talents who can take full advantage of a rich and demanding academic program in which each student is both challenged and supported. We seek to create within the school a community built on understanding and respecting others. Thus, our student body traditionally reflects the racial and cultural diversity of our city, and our curriculum is built on interdisciplinary studies to promote understanding of many cultures. While individual achievement is encouraged and rewarded, our program underscores the value of shared goals, friendship, and cooperation in mastering difficult tasks. The progressive ideals that in 1921 gave life and inspiration to the school — academic excellence and creativity, active learning and innovative teaching, respect for the individual and responsibility to the community - continue to guide the school today. LREI is located in vibrant Greenwich Village and classes venture forth often to use the neighborhood and the city to provide rich learning experiences.

All candidates, internal and external, should visit our employment page at lrei.org to apply.