Mission

Open Window School nurtures and inspires students of high intellectual potential.

Overview

Open Window School (K-8, coed, 360 student day school) is seeking highly qualified candidates for its Lower School Lead Teacher positions.

Open Window is dedicated to serving gifted students. With a strong commitment to social-emotional learning, these exceptional young people are nurtured and inspired in both their academic and personal growth. Parents/guardians and students alike are quick to point out the strength in the faculty and the close relationships Open Window teachers forge with their students. Open Window students have true enthusiasm for deep and accelerated learning, with an emphasis on project-based initiatives with real world application. Innovation and risk taking are encouraged within a supportive environment. Open Window School graduates are empathetic, academically well-prepared, innovative problem solvers, purposeful global citizens with a commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a place where it is cool to be smart and the expectation is that our students will graduate and make a difference in high school and beyond.

Located on a beautiful campus in Bellevue, Washington, 15 miles from the center of downtown Seattle, Open Window benefits from its unique location; it is surrounded by woods right in the middle of one of the fastest growing metro populations in the country. The school enjoys a robust and growing pipeline of students which will continue to drive demand for the type of rich educational experience guided by Open Window’s mission and values.

Position Overview

Open Window School seeks applicants for the full-time Lead Teacher hiring pool for the 2025-2026 school year. We seek positive, dynamic, and experienced educators to implement a program that is, at once, challenging, stimulating, and nurturing for our learners. Our faculty members enjoy a climate of superb collaboration and professional dialogue in fulfillment of our school’s Core Values.  Successful candidates will have a proven track record of effective teaching with experience in maintaining a strong foundational program in early education and a commitment to culturally responsive, anti-bias, and anti-racist teaching practices. Experience with project-based learning, Responsive Classroom, gifted learners, and/or interdisciplinary collaboration also enhances an application.

We have two classes per grade level, K-8. In Lower School (K-4) there are 18-20 students per class with a full-time Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher in each classroom. Lead Teachers work closely and collaboratively with their Associate Teacher, directing their daily work. Other responsibilities include participation in weekly grade level and faculty meetings and attendance at some evening, weekend, and overnight activities.

Major Areas of Responsibility/Specific Duties:

• Teach literacy, mathematics, social studies, and social and emotional learning
• Collaborate with specialist teachers on projects that integrate into the larger curriculum
• Maintain a safe and engaging learning environment
• Consistently and clearly communicate with colleagues, administrators, and parents regarding student work and classroom projects or issues
• Write progress reports that include both narrative and graded rubrics
• Attend faculty meetings
• As part of the lower school community, perform duties such as lunch and recess supervision

Skills

• Bachelor’s or higher degree, preferably in elementary education, early childhood education, or a related field.

• Teaching certificate preferred. 

• Experience in gifted education is a plus. 

Qualities:

• Successful experience in designing and leading at least three years of elementary classes
• Able to communicate and collaborate kindly and professionally with others. 
• A commitment to the social-emotional development of children during elementary years.
• Supportive and committed to proactive engagement of the school’s Diversity Commitment, in which we embrace both our commonalities and complex range of differences that enrich our school.
• Enjoys working with a team. 
• Flexible and adaptable.  
• Proficient in the use of current technology.  
• Supports our mission statement to nurture and inspire students of high intellectual potential.

Position Details:

Manager: Director of the Lower School

Compensation: $61,910.00 - $118,070.00 (based on education and experience)

Position Classification: Exempt, Full Time; this position is benefit eligible

Hours: School Days and Inservice Days, 8am – 4pm, Tuesdays until 5pm. This role requires some commitments outside these hours.

Benefits include:

• Sick leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid 100% for employee only coverage)
• Employer paid Health Reimbursement Account of $1,750 per plan year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Account, Pre-tax & Roth Options (eligible for 3% employer contribution and up to 3% employer match after one year of service)
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional development and training opportunities