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Posted: 16-Mar-26
Location: West Newton, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Salary: $64,250 - $88,150
Required Education:
About Us
The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving approximately 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community.
For more than 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.
Position Summary
The Fessenden School seeks a dynamic and collaborative Third Grade Teacher to join our Lower School faculty. The Third Grade Teacher guides a class of approximately 14–17 boys through an engaging and joyful learning experience that fosters academic growth, character development, and curiosity.
The Third Grade Teacher serves as the homeroom teacher and teaches core subjects including math, social studies, reading, language arts, and character education, while working closely with specialist teachers in science, Spanish, library, music, art, and physical education.
At Fessenden, we strive to create classrooms where boys are known, supported, and challenged. Teachers foster inclusive learning environments that reflect the School’s mission and core values of honesty, compassion, and respect, while supporting the developmental needs and learning styles of boys.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Teach and Inspire
- Design and implement engaging lessons in math, reading, language arts, and social studies that support student curiosity, skill development, and joyful learning.
- Plan sequential units aligned with grade-level curriculum and Lower School learning goals.
- Incorporate character education across disciplines, reinforcing the School’s core values.
Build Relationships
- Build meaningful relationships with students and families that foster trust, belonging, and engagement.
- Create a classroom environment where boys feel known, supported, and motivated to take intellectual risks.
Integrate Core Values
- Model and actively teach the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect.
- Support students’ social-emotional development and character growth.
Differentiated Instruction
- Utilize varied instructional strategies and assessments to support a wide range of learners.
- Collaborate with the Learning Resources Department to support students with diverse learning profiles.
- Monitor student progress and adjust instruction to support individual growth.
Innovate and Collaborate
- Collaborate with the other Third Grade teacher and Lower School Curriculum Coordinator to ensure alignment of curriculum and instructional practices.
Integrate educational technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and project-based or experiential learning where appropriate. - Work with colleagues across disciplines to enrich the learning experience.
Promote Inclusion
- Partner with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate multicultural perspectives and inclusive practices into the curriculum.
- Foster a classroom culture where all students feel respected and represented.
Communicate with Families
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with parents regarding student progress and classroom activities.
- Provide timely written reports and participate in parent conferences.
Contribute to the School Community
- Actively participate in Lower School life, including grade-level activities, faculty meetings, and school events.
- Supervise recess, lunch, dismissal, and other student activities as part of community responsibilities.
- Maintain documentation related to curriculum and student progress.
Professional Engagement
- Attend faculty meetings and division meetings.
- Maintain required certifications, including CPR/AED, First Aid, and Child Abuse Prevention Training.
- Pursue professional growth opportunities aligned with best practices in elementary education.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- At least two years of experience teaching in an elementary classroom
- Ability to create a student-centered classroom that fosters engagement, curiosity, and strong relationships
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction to support diverse learners
- Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Enthusiasm for working with boys and supporting their developmental needs
- Successful criminal background check
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Elementary Education or related field
- Teaching certification
- Coursework or experience in special education or learning support
- Experience working in an independent school environment
- Understanding of the developmental needs of boys
Schedule
- Orientation August 24 & 25, 2026
- School year August 31, 2026, to June 15, 2027
- Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $64,250-$88,150 and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Why Join Us?
The Fessenden School offers:
- A supportive and mission-driven community dedicated to educating the whole boy
- A collaborative Lower School faculty committed to joyful learning
- Access to outstanding campus facilities, including the Congoli Center for Innovation, Sacerdote Science Center, and Pallotta Athletic Center
- A strong professional development program
- Small class sizes that support individualized attention
- Daily hot lunch and salad bar options
To Apply
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Contact information for three professional references
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
