Horizons Summer Lead Teacher (K-4)

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:  LEAD TEACHER(K-4), SUMMER 2025

LOCATION:  Horizons at San Francisco Friends School

Organization Background:

Horizons at SFFS provides joyful academic and enrichment learning opportunities that build on the skills and talents of students in San Francisco public schools with a unique organizational commitment from Kindergarten through to high school graduation. Our Core Values of joy, social justice, holistic support, and community have resulted in a 97% retention rate and our 4:1 student to teacher ratio has ensured consistent growth in academic and social and emotional indicators across our decade of impact in the community. 

For more information about Horizons at SFFS, please visit http://www.horizonsatsffs.org

Position Overview:

Horizons at SFFS is seeking dedicated and experienced Lead Teachers (K-8th) with a dynamic talent for creating and nurturing a lifelong love of learning in children. We are looking for talented, passionate, caring professionals who will contribute to the educator community, fulfill the Horizons mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring and educational culture. The Lead Teacher will work with a Teaching Assistant, and a high school volunteer, and will be supported by the Executive Director, Academic Program Director, Curriculum & Instruction Coaches,  Reading Specialists, and Wellness Coaches. Our summer teachers walk away with new skills and experiences that they take with them to their year round classrooms. This is a temporary in-person position located at 250 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94103. 

To view other open positions, please visit https://www.horizonsatsffs.org/join-our-team 

Essential Job Functions:

The Lead Teacher will

• Design and teach high quality, culturally responsive, project-based curriculum and engage students in learning math, science and language arts throughout our six week summer enrichment program.

• Lead the Horizons staff in identifying individual students’ learning profiles, building on each youth's academic and social and emotional strengths, and coordinating resources and activities to best address the student’s areas of need.

• Meet regularly with their Teaching Assistant to plan curriculum and lessons with support from administrative staff to tailor lessons according to student needs.

• Collaborate with educator working groups and contribute to professional development spaces.

• Plan and lead fun, community-building activities and enriching experiential learning opportunities.

• Lead field trips to various locations around San Francisco.

• Develop and nurture a safe, respectful, challenging, and fun learning environment.

• Maintain ongoing communication with parents, caregivers, and school year teachers.

Qualifications:

In addition to a strong commitment to Horizon’s mission, this position requires a balance of content knowledge and proficiency in pedagogical best practices that are culturally responsive. The ideal candidate for the Lead Teacher position must be flexible, well organized, capable of taking initiative, and full of enthusiasm for both teaching and learning. Below are some of the required and preferred qualifications for the position.

Required:

• 2 or more years working as a lead classroom teacher.

• Experience managing a classroom with diverse school age children and working in partnership with families including knowledge of culturally competent practices.

• Skill and experience in designing, differentiating, and delivering curriculum for TK-6th Grade learners with diverse needs.

• Knowledge and skills in classroom management, social-emotional learning, and specific strategies for developing children’s noncognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy, and self discipline.

• Understanding and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing public school students and families living in the Mission District.

• Ability to maintain good communication between all stakeholders, set clear expectations and directions, and give and receive feedback across the organization.

Preferred:

• English/Spanish language and bicultural proficiency preferred.

• 4 or more years working as a K-4th Grade teacher, ideally in a public school setting.

• Experience with project-based learning and restorative justice practices.

• Leadership experience and ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

• Elementary teaching credential or equivalent experience, with a BCLAD preferred.

The salary range for the Lead Teacher position is $9,472-$12,728 (commensurate with experience) for seven weeks plus two days of full time work. The Lead Teacher is an exempt position and includes a week of prep prior to the program’s start and six weeks of  summer program, and two pre-summer PD days.

Dates:

Pre-Summer Mandatory Training Dates

May 31st, 9am - 5pm 

June 14th, 9am - 5pm

Summer, 2025

Monday, June 16 - Friday June 20  - Teacher orientation week and classroom set-up (June 19th is a paid holiday)

Monday June 23 - Friday August 1 - Six-week program (July 4th is a paid holidays)

Continuity of work: 

It is our hope that Horizons summer staff will be open to returning to the program for more than one summer, as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community.  Beyond summer, Horizons provides programming to its students and families throughout the year. 

To Apply:

Candidates can submit their application on JazzHR HERE

 or email a resume and cover letter, outlining your skills and experience (PDF format, please) to Ariel Mendez-Peñate, Program Director of Horizons at San Francisco Friends School at [email protected] with subject line “Horizons at SFFS Lead Teacher”.  

 Horizons at San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer.