3rd Grade Lead Teacher

Friends’ Central School Overview

Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 880 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood, and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood. The Lower School, which is grades Nursery through Fifth Grade, has approximately 285 students. 

The exceptional faculty at Friends’ Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation, reflection, and integrity. From Nursery to Grade 12, our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, and flexible thinking, along with compassion. As they transform from playful children to skilled, self-possessed teenagers, they are intellectually curious and engaged thinkers. Friends’ Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life. 

Lower School Lead Teacher 

Friends’ Central Lower School seeks a Lower School Lead Teacher for a full-time position beginning in August 2026. Ideal candidates will demonstrate knowledge of and experience in hands-on and integrated learning; be highly motivated, hard-working, collaborative, and flexible; demonstrate a desire to learn; show initiative; and have a sense of humor. This position is a 10-month, exempt position and will be under the supervision of the Lower School Principal. 

In addition to having the required professional and educational background, we seek an enthusiastic, and energetic candidate. 

Responsibilities: 

• Taking the lead on all curricular areas for their classroom, including literacy, math, and social studies. 

• Administering and analyzing formal and informal assessments to differentiate subject areas to a range of learners, including Fountas and Pinnell reading assessments 

• Collaborating with the grade team and Lower School Specialists to integrate curriculum and support student success 

• Partnering with the Support Services team and outside support providers to promote student success 

• Having an understanding of how to teach thematically and partnering with resources and experts on campus, including the Light Lab Director, to bring thematic teaching to life 

• Building community within the classroom and demonstrating clear and affirming classroom management with the use of Responsive Classroom, as well as Quaker ethos 

• Developing positive working relationships with all community members – students, families, and colleagues 

• Supervising students in the lunchroom and at recess

• Participating in Lower School committee work 

• Communicating meaningfully to families regularly to provide them with a window into the classroom and help them understand their child’s achievement and growth  

• Crafting thoughtful report cards twice a year and conducting thorough parent conferences in the fall and spring for each student 

• Demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusivity 

• Understanding and being committed to the School’s Quaker values and mission 

• At least 3-6 years of teaching experience at the elementary level 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (advanced degree preferred) 

• Passion for working with elementary school students 

• Demonstrated knowledge of current research around teaching and learning 

• Training in Responsive Classroom, Context for Learning Math, Fundations is a plus 

Please apply here. The application will ask for a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. All applications should be completed by May 15, 2026. 

Friends’ Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity, as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.