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We are seeking a Founding Director for the upcoming Forager Elementary Microschool for Fall 2025. Job description and application instructions below.

We also continue to welcome applicants for Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers/Directors.

Founding Director for a Progressive Elementary Microschool on the Sonoma / Mendocino Coast

Salary: $75k-95k, depending on experience and background 

Employment Type: Full-Time

Benefits: Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays; 50% employee coverage for our health, dental, and vision plans; relocation assistance; professional development opportunities; and participation in our retirement program

Location: Gualala, California 

Start Date: July 2025

Website: https://www.forager.school/

Seeking a Founding Director and Lead Teacher for a vibrant, progressive, elementary microschool on the California coast in the Sea Ranch / Gualala area. We are looking for candidates interested in designing an experiential and hands-on learning environment that prioritizes a love of learning, creative problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Located in a rural setting, the school will be well integrated with the outdoors and foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. 

In its inaugural year, the school will serve 6 to 12 children ages 5 to 9 years old in a mixed-aged classroom. The Director will be supported by an assistant and multiple specialist teachers. Our ideal candidate is excited to build a new school and design curricula that encourage children to be active participants in their own education. Building on the success of The Forager School preschool program, this new elementary program will meet a growing demand to extend a holistic and alternative approach to elementary-age children in our coastal community. This is a unique opportunity to design an inspiring and impactful learning community. A genuine love for teaching and nurturing young minds is a given!

Background

The Forager School was founded in the fall of 2023 as a licensed childcare center and the only full-day independent preschool in the town of Gualala, CA. We operate as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our board plays an active part in the administration and operations of the school. The philosophy embraces a child-centered approach to learning that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature. Our preschool program fosters a love of discovery in young children while providing a strong foundation in social-emotional development, outdoor exploration, and preliteracy skills. We are poised to expand with an early elementary program starting in the Fall of 2025 for children ages 5 to 9 years old. Some children will be transitioning from The Forager School preschool program, and others will be joining from other K-3 learning environments in the area. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Design a learning environment and implement a foundational curriculum that emphasizes academic rigor, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving 

  • Build a schedule and learning modules that support the learning needs of a mixed-age classroom. Coach supporting teachers to engage a mixed-age classroom and adapt teaching strategies to support expansion (we anticipate expanding by 5 to 7 students annually)

  • Incorporate project-based and self-directed learning methodologies to meet students’ interests and learning styles

  • Recruit and manage a team of specialist teachers and assistants (e.g., foreign language, music), fostering a collaborative and supportive culture across programs 

  • Create engaging and developmentally appropriate lessons, experiences, and field trips 

  • Promote social-emotional learning, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence 

  • Collaborate with the Director of The Forager School preschool program to ensure smooth student transitions and readiness for elementary education

  • Partner with the Director of the preschool program to coordinate professional development experiences and staff trainings

  • Ensure a safe classroom environment and appropriate emergency preparedness, manage schedules inclusive of recess, snack and lunch, develop classroom rituals, and support after-school program design (3:30 to 5 pm). 

  • Maintain open communication with parents through regular updates, technology platforms, and constructive feedback

  • Build connections within the local community to enhance learning opportunities

  • Manage administrative tasks, including staff scheduling, admissions, resource planning, policy development, technology tools, classroom buildout, and budgeting for materials

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following questions, along with a resume to: info@forager.school

  1. What is your approach to teaching in a mixed-age environment? Can you provide a brief example of a 40-minute math or literacy block and how you would approach this time?

  2. What would an ideal Tuesday look like in a mixed-age classroom? Provide us with brief bullets on how you would design a day for a 6-year old student between 8 am - 5 pm (you can include “before school” and “after school” time).

  3. Describe the wildest or most challenging hands-on project you have undertaken with students. What are your key reflections from this experience and how would you do it differently if you were to do it again?

Requirements:  

  • Experience teaching and developing curricula at the early elementary level, including literacy, math, and science. Experience in a progressive or alternative education setting is a plus 

  • Knowledge of effective teaching strategies for mixed-age classrooms

  • Knowledge of evidence-based educational practices 

  • Experience supervising, hiring, and supporting teachers and staff 

  • A degree in Education or a related field

  • Up-to-date immunization records

  • Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire

We are seeking assistant teachers and substitute directors for the 2024/2025 school year and beyond.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute director for the Forager School, please email us at info@forager.school.

The job description for the assistant teacher position is below.

Assistant Teacher for a Preschool on the Sonoma/Mendocino Coast 

Salary: $20/hr+ (depending on experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time

Benefits: Sick days, paid holidays, professional development to support career growth (ECE credits, conferences, workshops, skills training, etc.) 

Location: Gualala, California 

Start Date: Flexible

Seeking an Assistant Teacher for a vibrant, creative, mixed-age preschool on the California coast in the Sea Ranch/Gualala area. The Forager School is a play-based preschool for kids ages 2 to 5. We prioritize a love of learning, creative problem-solving, outdoor exploration, and social-emotional learning. Located in a rural setting, our school is well integrated with the outdoors and fosters an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. 

The Assistant Teacher will collaborate with the Preschool Director to build a learning environment for 8 to 12 students. Our ideal candidate is creative, flexible, self-motivated, highly collaborative, and values strong relationships. Additionally, s/he is familiar with Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches, and is excited to partner with the Preschool Director to develop a curriculum that encourages children to be active participants in their own education. This position will report to the Preschool Director. Passion for education and a love of children are a given! 

In this role, you would: 

  • Provide nurturing care and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for young children. 

  • Assist the Preschool Director in carrying out lesson plans by preparing and setting up classroom activities and leading portions of the daily program.

  • Collaborate in curriculum development and field trip programming based on students’ developmental stages and interests. Attend regular meetings with the Preschool Director to discuss curriculum plans and development observations.

  • Support teaching key skills including social-emotional and interpersonal skills, sharing, self-awareness, self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and relationship building.

  • Maintain an open line of communication with parents and provide constructive feedback on a regular or as-needed basis under the guidance of the Preschool Director. Participate in parent-teacher conferences. 

  • Supervise and engage with children on field trips and drive the school vehicle as needed.  

  • Assist in keeping the classroom clean and orderly throughout the day, and assist with setup and cleanup at the beginning/end of each day. 

  • Help children use the bathroom and assist with nap-time diapering. 

  • Support the Preschool Director with administrative tasks as necessary. 

  • Work with diverse populations of children and adults from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Requirements:  

  • At least one (1) year of experience working with children ages 2 to 5 years old, preferably in a childcare setting.

  • Completed or currently in the process of earning a minimum of six (6) ECE credits. Candidates interested in obtaining director level credentials are encouraged to apply. 

  • Bilingual candidates (Spanish and English) encouraged to apply.

  • Up-to-date immunization records

  • Submit to a criminal background check upon hire.

  • Clean driving record and ability to drive a school vehicle. 

To Apply:

Apply through the button below or send an email to info@forager.school.

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following prompts:

  1. Describe an inspiring lesson for preschool aged children that you have organized and taught.

  2. Describe a previous experience where you worked in collaboration with another teacher in a learning environment, and what you learned from this experience.