Full-time, 10 months, Exempt (1.0 FTE)

The Lower School (PK3 through Grade 5) seeks a dynamic, experienced lead teacher for our Preschool 4 class. Our Lower School program embraces child-centered, experiential learning. The successful candidate will be flexible, organized, creative, and collaborative with a sound understanding of and ability to demonstrate positive, caring, supportive relationships and interactions with young children and families. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice, including multi-sensory, play-based learning, a robust understanding of early academic skills, and classroom management is required. Sandy Spring Friends School seeks to nurture the whole child; a successful candidate should have a strong affection for, and the ability to work with, preschool-aged children, understanding that each child brings individual experiences and approaches to learning. SSFS seeks candidates who value the importance of diversity and can both share and teach differing points of view.

Qualifications include a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and one year teaching experience in early childhood education. A Master’s degree and/ or three years or more teaching experience in a preschool setting is preferred. Successful applicants will be required to submit documentation of qualifications to the Maryland Office of Child Care with assistance from the School.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills, solid technological skills, and experience working with cooperative and differentiated instruction. Familiarity with Quaker education is helpful, but not required.

Physical Requirements: The ability to navigate stairs as part of daily routines; mobility around a large campus with uneven pavement; bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a regular office setting.

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School embraces the Quaker testimony of Equality and seeks applicants who represent all backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We greatly value our diverse student population with 42% of students self-identifying as people of color and 89 international students representing 16 different countries. We actively seek faculty representative of our students’ diversity. Click to learn more about diversity at Sandy Spring Friends School. Special consideration may be given to members of The Religious Society of Friends.

Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring and other school-administered programs.