Lower School Science Teacher

52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Lower School Science Teacher

Position Summary:

The School seeks a thoughtful, creative, and collaborative Lower School Science Teacher to join our progressive Pre‑K–3 learning community. Rooted in experiential, inquiry‑based education, this role is central to nurturing curiosity, observation, and care for the natural world. The Lower School Science Teacher integrates scientific exploration with hands‑on learning in our school garden, supports the life cycle study of plants and flowers, and collaborates with early childhood educators to connect science learning to N4–Kindergarten cooking and nutrition experiences.

The ideal candidate embraces interdisciplinary teaching, child‑centered pedagogy, and the belief that science is best learned through exploration, reflection, and real‑world connection.

• Understand and support the Far Brook School Statement of Purpose and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice.
• Design and teach developmentally appropriate, inquiry‑based science lessons for N3–Grade 3 students.
• Integrate the life cycle of plants and flowers through regular, hands‑on work in the school garden, including planting, observing, harvesting, and reflecting.
• Collaborate with N4–Kindergarten teachers to intentionally connect science learning to cooking experiences, emphasizing where food comes from, basic nutrition, and sensory exploration.
• Foster curiosity, wonder, and scientific thinking through observation, questioning, experimentation, and discussion.
• Use age‑appropriate tools, nature journals, visual documentation, and simple experiments to support learning.
• Support interdisciplinary connections among science, literacy, math, art, and social‑emotional learning.
• Create a classroom environment that is inclusive, joyful, and respectful of diverse learning styles and identities.
• Partner with colleagues to align curriculum vertically across grade levels.
• Communicate regularly with families about curriculum, projects, and student learning.
• Participate actively in faculty collaboration, professional development, and school community events.

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Education, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Science, Education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience teaching science in early childhood and/or lower school settings.
• Comfort with outdoor education, gardening, and hands‑on experiential learning.
• Understanding of child development and progressive educational practices.
• Strong collaboration, organization, and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social responsibility.

Reporting Relationship:
Reports to the Director of Lower School.

The LS Science Teacher role is a full‑time, exempt position that provides eligibility for the following benefits:

• Medical benefits available to full‑time employees after 30 days of employment, including employer‑paid contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
• Vision and dental plans available at the employee’s cost.
• Employer‑paid life insurance (up to $50,000) and long‑term disability insurance.
• Tuition remission, educational assistance, and participation in the School’s retirement plan subject to plan eligibility.
• Benefits may be subject to change in accordance with plan documents and School policy.

Salary Range: $55,000 – $75,000 annually, based on experience, education, and internal equity considerations. Final salary will be determined by all qualifications and must align with the School’s benchmarking and compensation model.