Lead 5th/6th Grade Teacher 2025-2026

ABOUT US

The Primary School is creating a new school model that brings together all of the adults in a child’s life, including parents, educators, and medical and mental health providers, starting from a very early age. We recognize the entrenched racism that exists within our public systems and the unjust impact this has had on families of color. Our aim is that children and families most impacted by systemic poverty and racism receive the multidisciplinary support they deserve to be well, learn, and thrive. 

Long-term, we hope to create a game-changing model that can be replicated across the country. As we continue to learn and grow, we plan to share what we’ve learned and pursue policy and systems change. We are supported by a growing coalition of philanthropic partners, building on the generous support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Our approach has three defining characteristics:

• We start early. We start working with children as young as 12 months and provide full-time school starting at age three to reach them at a critical stage in development. 
• We partner with parents. We believe that when parents thrive, children thrive, so we support the wellness and growth of parents alongside the growth of their children.
• We integrate services. Our unique model unites health care and education, building a multi-disciplinary team and holistic system of care around a child’s full needs.

In 2016, we opened our flagship school in East Palo Alto, California, with our first class of four year olds. We have grown to serve over 400 children and their families through our Early Family Foundations program, parent wellness program, full-day preschool, and elementary/middle school, which will grow through eighth grade. In 2021, we opened our second site in the East Bay.

ABOUT OUR EAST PALO ALTO SITE

We are continuing to grow our East Palo Alto site and are excited to launch 8th grade for our 2025-2026 school year. In our school program, we currently serve approximately 300 students across two preschool grades (3 and 4 year olds) and kindergarten through seventh grade. Integrated into our program are the other core components of our model including our parent program - partnering closely with parents throughout their child’s development and providing wellness programming for caregivers; our Early Family Foundations program - coordinating early developmental screenings and intervention services; and our medical home partnerships - working with existing health care providers in the community to coordinate care for children.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Lead 5th/6th Grade Teacher reports to the Middle School Dean and is responsible for leading their own instruction and developing and executing comprehensive, integrated units across all parts of a student’s day. Lead Teachers are tone setters for the school and are responsible for high quality instruction, culture building within and across classrooms, and strengthening home-school connections through deep engagement with families. Lead Teachers also serve as our models for how to deeply integrate academics, socio-emotional learning, and health into our classrooms on a daily basis. This position follows an instructional calendar.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In-person

RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Environment 

• Create and maintain a positive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed classroom environment that fosters inclusivity, respect, and high expectations for all students.
• Establish clear routines and procedures to promote consistency and manage Tier 1 behaviors, ensuring a supportive and productive learning environment.

Core Instructional Program

• Annual, weekly, and daily instructional planning tailored to the needs of each child
• Instructional delivery in large group, small group, and individualized formats
• Regular assessment and analysis of quantitative and qualitative student data (academic and SEL) with the goal of tailoring responsive instruction and support

Family Engagement

• Regular meetings with and outreach to families, including daily documentation and notes
• Proactive collaboration and frequent engagement with The Primary School Parent Coaches and staff, and external health practitioners and partners

Professional Learning

• Participation in reflection and coaching, both 1:1 with your Instructional Coach and in group context with colleagues
• Active participation in the ongoing design and implementation of the TPS model through research, curriculum development, engagement with school and organizational leadership, and foc