4th Grade Teacher - Lower School

About Holton-Arms School

Founded in 1901, Holton-Arms School is a nationally recognized independent school for girls in grades 3 -12 that encourages young women to approach the world with curiosity, courage, and a sense of responsibility to use their talents for the greater good. Rooted in a long legacy of excellence and guided by future-forward thinking, Holton offers a vibrant, purpose-driven learning environment where students, faculty, and staff bring deep engagement, spirit, and passion to their work.

The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. Students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from challenges, and build lifelong friendships—embodying the school’s motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (“I will find a way or make one”).

We seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests who share our passion for helping girls learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world.

Position Summary

Holton-Arms is seeking a student-centered 4th Grade Teacher to guide students through a pivotal year of academic transition toward greater responsibility and independence. Reporting to the Lower School Division Head, the teacher will lead a homeroom and implement a curriculum that emphasizes collaboration, perspective-taking, and the "why" behind mathematical and scientific concepts. The successful candidate will foster an inclusive classroom where every idea is respected, and girls are empowered to become positive change-makers.

Successful candidates will demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and a deep understanding of child development, coupled with the ability to create engaging, differentiated lessons across a range of subjects.

Ideal candidates are excellent collaborators who thrive in a team-oriented environment and are passionate about nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in young students. They must bring exceptional organizational and time-management skills, as well as the ability to balance multiple responsibilities with care and efficiency.

A growth mindset is essential, as is a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Candidates should value building inclusive classroom environments that empower all students to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Holton teachers are mentors and role models who actively contribute to our vibrant, supportive community and embrace the school’s mission to cultivate the unique potential of each student.

Responsibilities

• Integrated Humanities Instruction: Deliver the "History & Stories" program, combining Language Arts and Social Studies to explore identity, global perspectives, and student-initiated action. 
• Math & Science Inquiry: Facilitate deep mathematical understanding using the Illustrative Mathematics framework and support integrated science units that turn students into investigators and problem-solvers.
• Workshop Implementation: Utilize the workshop model for literacy and math to provide differentiated, kinesthetically and visually rich instruction that encourages students to verbalize ideas and take risks.
• Social-Emotional Leadership: Apply Responsive Classroom strategies, or similar SEL approaches, to foster an inclusive environment. Responsibilities include explicitly teaching emotional regulation, assertive communication, and collaborative conflict resolution.
• Collaborative Planning: Partner with grade-level colleagues and specialists (Art, Dance, Design Technology, etc.) to design interdisciplinary units that connect homeroom content with creative and technical disciplines.
• DEIB Integration: Guide students in recognizing the impacts of stereotypes and bias while fostering an appreciation for the experiences of individuals worldwide.
• Professional Engagement: Participate in all aspects of school life, including faculty meetings, professional development, and supervisory duties (recess, lunch, chaperoning, etc).
• Parent Engagement: Maintain transparent, consistent communication with families regarding student progress, curriculum updates, and classroom life through newsletters, digital platforms, and direct outreach.

Success Snapshot 

• Transition Mastery: Successfully scaffold 4th-grade students' transition into greater academic independence, evidenced by their ability to manage complex "History & Stories" research projects.
• Curricular Connection: Execute an integrated unit with the Dance or Art department that connects thematic elements of "History & Stories" to creative performance or visual expression.
• Inclusive Environment: Establish a homeroom culture in which students demonstrate high-level communication skills, such as listening to understand and valuing diverse viewpoints in class discussions.

Qualifications & Experiences

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Instructional Expertise: 3–5 years of experience in upper elementary education with a strong background in balanced literacy and inquiry-based math.
• SEL Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with Responsive Classroom or similar social-emotional frameworks focused on student advocacy and community building.
• Curriculum Design: Proven ability to develop interdisciplinary units that integrate Language Arts with Social Studies and Global Competencies.
• Mission Alignment: A commitment to the Faculty Tenets of Excellence, specifically enthusiasm for girls' education, the mindset of a lifelong learner, and a dedication to professional growth.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members, including current and former students, faculty, and staff. We seek to create an inclusive environment that sees, values, and supports diverse identities and experiences, cultivates engaging discourse, and empowers our students to be thriving members of the global community. At Holton-Arms, each of us is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community.

Salary & Benefits

The average salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000, the exact salary to be determined based on education and experience. We use a step scale to determine teacher salary. Additional stipends are available for coaching, certain club sponsorship and significant commitments outside of the classroom. Benefits include health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental and vision; life and disability insurance; 403b retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program, tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid sick and personal days; and lunch is provided on school days.

Application Details

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and the names of three references.

Salary : $70,000 - $100,000