Green Hedges School seeks an experienced elementary school educator to teach Grade 4 beginning in the fall of 2026. A small-by-design, coeducational independent school enrolling approximately 170 students in PreK-Kindergarten Montessori and Grades 1-8 preparatory programs, Green Hedges thrives on the quality of the relationships that become possible in such a setting and on the deep engagement and learning they foster. Green Hedges, which was founded in 1942 by children of international artists, is located in Vienna, VA, about 15 miles west of Washington, DC.
Grade 4 is part of the Lower School, which enrolls about 70 students in Grades 1-5, with one section per grade level of typically 12-18 students. In addition to their homeroom teacher, Grade 4 students work across a week with special-subject teachers in French, math, science, art, music, social-emotional learning, and physical education. The homeroom teacher teaches language arts (reading, literature studies, writing, and word study), math (co-taught), and social studies. The homeroom teacher reports to the Assistant Head of School.
Scope of Responsibilities
The Grade 4 homeroom teacher is responsible for implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum that is consistent with the Green Hedges Statements of Mission, Philosophy, Core Values, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and encourages students to be actively engaged in the learning process. A strong professional culture expects teachers, like their students, to be active, growing, and changing, building their pedagogy on an expanding knowledge of how children learn best through ongoing professional growth.
Responsibilities of the Grade 4 homeroom teacher include:
Creating a positive learning community within the classroom that acknowledges and respects children’s social and emotional interactions and growth.
Establishing and maintaining healthy and respectful individual and class behavioral expectations using Responsive Classroom guidelines. (Training opportunities will be available.)
Recognizing the ways in which a broadly diverse community fosters empathy, enriches teaching and learning, and promotes intellectual excellence and strong character.
Implementing a guided reading program for instruction that centers on small-group learning based on students’ current instructional reading levels.
Teaching reading and writing, including one-on-one conferencing with students to improve individual abilities. Orton-Gillingham experience preferred (Training will be provided otherwise).
Facilitating and organizing, with the support of the Assistant Head of School, a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg, an overnight with Calleva, and community service-related trips.
Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of students with varying learning styles as well as areas of strength and weakness and employing a variety of teaching methods to ensure optimal learning for all students.
Working closely with the school learning specialist and school counselor in meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students.
Communicating regularly with special-subject teachers to stay informed about the grade-level program and to share timely information about students.
Coordinating grade-level curriculum mapping as directed.
Guiding students through annual class play production, including script selection, assigning cast roles, coordinating costumes, music, production, and rehearsal times with colleagues
Communicating with families with regularity, clarity, and enthusiasm to establish and maintain a positive home-school partnership, including thrice-yearly Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences.
Using assessment and evaluation tools, such as IXL, Lexia, NWEA-MAP, and DIBELS to guide instructional decisions; maintaining accurate, up-to-date records, and communicating results to students, parents and guardians, and appropriate others in a timely manner with regard to student performance and progress.
Performing professional duties efficiently, managing resources effectively, and meeting reporting deadlines established by the school.
Attending and participating in faculty meetings and professional development days.
Performing professional duties as assigned by the Head of School or the Assistant Head of School, which include, but are not limited to, recess, lunch, and dismissal duty.
Becoming a positive presence in the Green Hedges School community and an advocate for the school in that setting.
Candidate Requirements:
An undergraduate degree (master's degree preferred) in education or a related field.
A minimum of 3-5 years of related teaching experience.
Proficient knowledge of the cognitive and social-emotional development of elementary-age children.
An appreciation of teaching as a craft and a determination to improve in that craft.
Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
A high level of energy and a strong, positive classroom presence.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
A strong initiative and an ability to collaborate.
Significant experience working with technological platforms used to organize teaching and learning and in distance learning and a readiness to adapt to possible changes in learning settings.
Application Materials: Interested candidates should submit the following items electronically to Aaron Cahn, Assistant Head of School, at acahn@greenhedges.org:
A cover letter expressing interest in this particular position and explaining how your professional background has prepared you for this position.
A professional resume.
Three professional references, including their email addresses and telephone numbers.
A small-by-design, coeducational independent school enrolling approximately 170 students in PreK-Kindergarten Montessori and Grades 1-8 preparatory programs, Green Hedges thrives on the quality of the relationships that become possible in such a setting and on the deep engagement and learning they foster. Green Hedges, which was founded in 1942 by children of international artists, is located in Vienna, VA, about 15 miles west of Washington, DC.
