Overview
Middle Way School is pioneering a new model of education based on the best in education research and enhanced by the wisdom and compassion of Buddhist traditions. Master teachers with a deep understanding of childhood development are the pillars of this education. Lead teachers are responsible for co-creating, evaluating, implementing and documenting curricula in cooperation with the Head of School, curriculum coordinators, and other teachers in the school. Lead teachers are responsible for supporting students’ development in all areas including social-emotional, physical, and academic. They also work with the dharma curriculum coordinator to integrate Buddhist wisdom and practice into the classroom. Lead teachers assess students’ progress and report to parents regularly. MWS school culture relies on daily meditation and ample professional support. We expect our teachers to meet conventional outcomes in unconventional ways and use skillful means to differentiate in ways that help meet students academically and socially. Teachers are expected to explore the Middle Way model of development and actively engage in its creation. Being a practicing Buddhist is not necessary, however, an understanding of Buddhist principles and terminology is expected. In addition, we ask that all staff develop a personal contemplative practice of some kind.
Responsibilities
Creating a positive, nurturing classroom community
Setting up and maintaining an organized and inviting classroom environment
Developing and documenting curriculum including unit and lesson plans
Working collaboratively and individually (with guidance from the Academic Curriculum Liaison) on curriculum development, instructional methods, assessment, and differentiation in all academic areas.
Providing differentiated instruction to support and challenge students across academic subjects
Knowledge in delivering strategy-based literacy and math instruction
Able to implement a daily, productive, intentional, and engaging choice time
Maintaining frequent contact with parents including a weekly newsletter
Writing narrative reports twice per year and leading parent-teacher conferences with benchmarks documentation twice per year
Supporting and training of interns/assistants
Developing, planning and supervising field trips
Attending staff meetings
Planning and participating in seasonal celebrations and events
Supervising one lunch or recess period each day
Participating in the admissions process
Exploring and maintaining a contemplative practice and occasional dharma study
Pursuing ongoing professional development
Participating in summer curriculum development and classroom setup
Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned from time to time as business needs require
Core Competencies
Knowledge of current best practices in elementary education, including play-based learning, outdoor education, early childhood development, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning
Background in progressive education and constructivist theory and ability to put it into practice
Knowledge, understanding, and use of active learning strategies to support a range of learners
Ability to creatively integrate and adapt curriculum to engage learners
A creative and rigorous approach to information gathering and analysis, ability to understand broad ideas and synthesize
Ability to implement effective classroom management strategies
Demonstration of personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging.
Clear communication – excellent command of written and spoken English
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team – especially when it is necessary to facilitate change, overcome an impasse, face an issue, or ensure that decisions are made.
Ability to write and speak in depth about the tenets of Progressive education.
Qualities
A passion for education and carrying out the vision and mission of Middle Way
A love and understanding of children and early childhood development
An interest in personal and professional growth,
Open to the teachings of the Buddhadharma
Flexible, open-minded, adaptable, patient with change
Able to work independently and in teams
Practical and resourceful
Able to see the merits of perspectives other than his/her own; openness to different and new ways of doing things
Reliable and respectful of deadlines
Humor!
Required Education/Experience
Master’s degree required.
Preferably 3-5 years of experience in grade level
Familiarity with Responsive Classroom preferred
Trained in a systematic, multi-sensory approach to reading instruction preferred
Physical Capabilities
Ability to kneel, reach, run, bend, lift, and stand for periods of time.
Ability to lift 25-30 lbs.
Ability to move, see, hear, and speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety.
Terms
On-site at Middle Way School in Saugerties, NY
Full-time, exempt
Schedule is 7:55 AM - 3:30 PM plus one weekly staff meeting from 3:30 - 5:00 PM for the entirety of the 2025-2026 academic year
All school breaks paid
All employees must pass a New York State background check
Annual salary $45,000-$65,000
We hire and enroll without discriminating against any identifying factor which may include race, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. We will make accessibility accommodations for individuals with disabilities to the fullest extent possible. As an institution and as individuals we recognize that we have the responsibility to actively change the power differences that perpetuate biases against historically underrepresented groups. Our inclusion efforts are a dynamic process. We welcome your experience and invite your input on how our school community can continue to evolve.
About Us
The Middle Way School is an independent progressive elementary school founded in 2018 in order to research and develop a model of modern education based on Buddhist wisdom traditions. Our teacher-researchers have a deep understanding of childhood development and are deeply engaged in this development process. We are carefully building our faculty to accommodate healthy enrollment growth.
MWS is located on five acres of forested land. It is an uplifted, dynamic, environment to work with ample professional support. We seek seasoned teachers who know how to meet conventional outcomes in unconventional ways and who have the skillful means to differentiate in ways that help meet students academically and socially. We prefer employees to have a deep interest in the Middle Way mission and vision and an openness to manifest it through presence and pedagogy. Being a practicing Buddhist is not necessary, however, an understanding of Buddhist principles and terminology is appreciated. We ask that all staff develop a personal contemplative practice of some kind and participate in secular Buddhist studies.
Middle Way School recognizes that we have the responsibility to actively change the power differences that perpetuate biases against historically underrepresented groups. Our inclusion efforts are a dynamic process. We are most interested in finding the best person for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.
