Upper Elementary Lead Teacher

Are you an enthusiastic and responsible collaborator who loves working with upper elementary students (grades 4-6)? Do you find passion in guiding students to be their best selves socially, emotionally, and academically? The Nature School of Central Indiana is excited to announce an opening for an Upper Elementary Lead Teacher for the 2026-2027 academic year. Our school community values the rich cultures, traditions, and ethnicities our families come from, and we are looking for diverse applicants who represent these backgrounds.

Application Deadline:

Immediate

About us:

The Nature School of Central Indiana students follow their natural interests as they explore their world, discovering the interconnectedness of personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and social equity. Students learn how to work interdependently and collaboratively, experiencing a transformative education as they grow into the next generation of engaged, global thinkers who compassionately challenge the status quo. We strive to be a nurturing, diverse, and inclusive community.

Mission

The Nature School of Central Indiana: Changing the world for the better, one learner at a time.

Vision

The Nature School of Central Indiana approaches education with time-tested philosophies of Montessori and Waldorf education with a focus on nature-based learning, honoring the child as a whole, fostering a local community and global mindset, with a commitment to educational leadership and institutional longevity.

This job is for you if you:

• Are inspired by our mission and vision
• Love children and supporting their development
• Work collaboratively, positively, and professionally with all staff
• Establish a rapport and build relationships with students and families based on trust
• Set an excellent example for students by modeling honesty, accountability, understanding, tolerance, respect, love, and kindness
• Multitask, keep calm under pressure, and treat everyone with respect
• Maintain a positive attitude, flexibility, and a good sense of humor
• Display excellent planning, communication, and organizational skills
• Display strong conflict resolution skills
• Maintain a safe and secure environment
• Understand technology commensurate with program level requirements
• Maintain the confidentiality of the school's students, family, and staff
• Display curiosity and desire to grow professionally
• Train in, become familiar with, or be willing to learn about Montessori and Waldorf education
• Have a commitment to high quality care and learning
• Are a skilled classroom manager, inspiring children to be their best selves and coaching them through solution-finding processes
• Delight in the details of maintaining a classroom space for children to thrive
• Are a highly relational and effective communicator
• Are able to multitask and manage a variety of supportive responsibilities
• Have a positive attitude and are able to roll with a dynamic and creative organization
• Care about equity, diversity, and social and environmental justice
• Enjoy working in a progressive, relational, collaborative, and nature-loving team of dedicated and talented individuals

Lead Teacher Responsibilities (include, but not limited to):

• Establish a daily routine; create and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children
• Support social-emotional learning and solution-finding opportunities using the Positive Discipline framework
• Collaboration with other teachers and assistants in a shared classroom environment
• Communicate with teachers about the child's development and daily experiences
• Collaborate with TNS staff to foster a sense of community and belonging
• Implement daily practices and routines within the classroom and throughout the campus
• Observe and document children's progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive skills
• Organize classroom materials and clean, disinfect, and sanitize the workspace to facilitating the learning process for each child
• Help guide the child through self-directed activities, allowing the child to develop at their own pace
• Foster a nurturing and stimulating non-competitive environment
• Comfortability with teaching both indoors and outdoors
• Commit to continued professional development in providing exemplary outdoor education to children

Education/Experience:

• Valid Teaching License Required
• Montessori Certification Preferred
• Teachers working toward Montessori certification
• Experience working with elementary-aged children and families in a group setting
• CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens certified or be willing to obtain
• Positive Discipline training, or willing to take
• Anti-biased/Anti-racist training, or willing to take

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills with children and colleagues
• Strong decision-making skills to respond to risk management, emergencies, or difficult situations
• Ability and desire to support the classroom teacher and students
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and roles, patiently and professionally

Desired Behavioral Traits and Attitudes:

Leader, team player, fun, outgoing, passionate, nurturing, organized, flexible, creative, resourceful, critical thinker, results-oriented, and self-motivated. Passionate about TNS's mission and environmentally concerned and aware.