Outdoor Elementary School Teacher

For more than 60 years, Randolph School has nurtured a progressive, child-centered approach to education rooted in relationships, curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful experiences in the natural world.

In 1963, our founders wrote:

“A healthy learning environment is a social situation that encourages individuals to work cooperatively, each in their own way. If we want children to be effective in bringing about understanding and cooperation within our world community, we must allow them to have natural experiences and relationships in their school, their world at this moment in their lives.”

This vision continues to guide our work each day. We believe deeply in what is possible when thoughtful educators work in collaboration with one another, with families, and with this magnificent land in service of children.

Located on a beautiful wooded campus in the Hudson Valley, Randolph School offers a joyful, deeply human educational experience that prioritizes direct experience, creativity, movement, problem-solving, and authentic connection over screens and digital dependency.

The Opportunity

Randolph School is seeking experienced elementary educators to join our dynamic outdoor learning community.

This is an opportunity for teachers who are energized by active, relationship-based education and who want to move beyond conventional, heavily standardized or screen-centered models of schooling. Our teachers spend substantial time outdoors in all seasons, engaging children through emergent curriculum, inquiry, play, storytelling, ecological exploration, artistic expression, and hands-on learning, principally through play.

The work is meaningful, collaborative, physically active, and deeply rewarding.

Responsibilities

Child-Centered, Nature-Inspired Teaching

• Design and facilitate engaging learning experiences rooted in children’s questions, interests, and developmental needs.
• Support academic growth through experiential, interdisciplinary learning.
• Foster creativity, independence, collaboration, and social-emotional development through daily community life.

Outdoor Learning & Physical Engagement

• Teach outdoors across seasons and weather conditions, including rain, mud, and snow.
• Actively supervise and engage with children throughout the campus and surrounding natural environments.
• Help maintain a safe, organized, and responsive learning environment.

Collaboration & Community

• Work closely with fellow educators in a collaborative teaching culture grounded in reflection and shared responsibility.
• Receive and implement feedback from supervisors and mentors, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth to benefit the group.
• Build authentic, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Participate fully in the life of the school community and reflect the school's values in your work and communications about it.

Observation & Documentation

• Observe and document student growth carefully and thoughtfully.
• Communicate clearly with families regarding children’s development, experiences, and progress.

Qualifications

We are looking for educators who:

• Have experience working with elementary-aged children in progressive schools, outdoor programs, or related settings.
• Are inspired by progressive, experiential, play-based, or nature-connected education and innovative pedagogy.
• Value relationships, collaboration, and reflective practice and carry a commitment to the craft of teaching.
• Are physically comfortable working actively outdoors year-round.
• Bring flexibility, curiosity, warmth, and a strong sense of initiative.

We warmly encourage applicants from non-traditional educational backgrounds who feel aligned with Randolph’s mission and philosophy.