Second Grade Head Teacher- Ethical Culture
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
New York, NY, USA
2/21/2026
Full Time
Who we are?Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Ethical Culture School, located on the Upper West Side at 63rd Street and Central Park West, is comprised of approximately 450 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 80 faculty members.
What is essential about working at our school?The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.
We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.
Position Summary
We are currently seeking a full time Second Grade Head Teacher for the 26/27 School Year. This role will contribute to the academic success of all students. He/She/They will foster a student-centered learning environment, emphasizing experiential and collaborative approaches.This position will begin on September 1, 2026. This position is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency) and the hiring salary is $75,261-$184,830.
Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.
ResponsibilitiesThe Head Teacher responsibilities will include:Designing and planning daily math, reading, writing, and social studies lessons consistent with the the scope and sequence of the second grade curriculum;Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;Assessing and monitoring individual student growth while promoting social emotional development, and providing encouragement to support each student’s social and emotional growth;Implementing behavior management strategies that promote academic and social and emotional success; Working collaboratively with literacy and math specialists;Sharing weekly updates with families related to curricular initiatives and student growth;Incorporating technology in the classroom to enhance the learning experience;Maintaining accurate student records of grades and attendance;Preparing for and communicating student performance and growth with parents and or guardians at scheduled conferences;Ability to confidently address behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment;Successfully mentoring an associate teacher;Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; andPerforming other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.
Position RequirementsThe successful incumbent will possess:A Bachelor’s degree, Masters degree preferred;Previous experience teaching elementary school children;A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;Strong background in literacy and math assessment and instruction, including familiarity with:○ Contexts for Learning Math and TERC Investigations○ Standardized and Formative assessments (e.g. Acadience Reading Test)○ Fundations - Explicit phonics/spelling instruction○ Guided reading, literature discussions, effective one-on-one conferences○ Explicit writing instruction including effective mini-lessons on grammar, sentence/paragraph structure, and workshop models (familiarity with the Writing Revolution/Hochman method a plus) Skills in designing instruction that is data-driven, differentiated, and actively engaging;Familiarity with technology to support teaching, including iPads and SMARTboards;Prior experience in developing social studies curricula with a hands-on, developmentally appropriate focus;A commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website;The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community; A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills; A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback; The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks; A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools); Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; andThe ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.
To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references.
EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.
What is essential about working at our school?The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.
We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.
Position Summary
We are currently seeking a full time Second Grade Head Teacher for the 26/27 School Year. This role will contribute to the academic success of all students. He/She/They will foster a student-centered learning environment, emphasizing experiential and collaborative approaches.This position will begin on September 1, 2026. This position is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency) and the hiring salary is $75,261-$184,830.
Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.
ResponsibilitiesThe Head Teacher responsibilities will include:Designing and planning daily math, reading, writing, and social studies lessons consistent with the the scope and sequence of the second grade curriculum;Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;Assessing and monitoring individual student growth while promoting social emotional development, and providing encouragement to support each student’s social and emotional growth;Implementing behavior management strategies that promote academic and social and emotional success; Working collaboratively with literacy and math specialists;Sharing weekly updates with families related to curricular initiatives and student growth;Incorporating technology in the classroom to enhance the learning experience;Maintaining accurate student records of grades and attendance;Preparing for and communicating student performance and growth with parents and or guardians at scheduled conferences;Ability to confidently address behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment;Successfully mentoring an associate teacher;Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; andPerforming other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.
Position RequirementsThe successful incumbent will possess:A Bachelor’s degree, Masters degree preferred;Previous experience teaching elementary school children;A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;Strong background in literacy and math assessment and instruction, including familiarity with:○ Contexts for Learning Math and TERC Investigations○ Standardized and Formative assessments (e.g. Acadience Reading Test)○ Fundations - Explicit phonics/spelling instruction○ Guided reading, literature discussions, effective one-on-one conferences○ Explicit writing instruction including effective mini-lessons on grammar, sentence/paragraph structure, and workshop models (familiarity with the Writing Revolution/Hochman method a plus) Skills in designing instruction that is data-driven, differentiated, and actively engaging;Familiarity with technology to support teaching, including iPads and SMARTboards;Prior experience in developing social studies curricula with a hands-on, developmentally appropriate focus;A commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website;The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community; A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills; A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback; The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks; A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools); Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; andThe ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.
To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references.
EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.
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