Founding Movement, Mindfulness, and Outdoor Education Teacher

Overview

Spruce Community School is looking for an exceptional educator to lead our K–2 students in discovering the importance of movement, mindfulness, and connection with the natural world. You will help students develop body awareness and emotional regulation through activities ranging from soccer, yoga, dance, and games to hands-on gardening and outdoor exploration. These experiences foster curiosity, focus, and joy. Your greater impact will include developing Spruce’s movement, mindfulness, and outdoor learning program, inspiring students to care for themselves, each other, and their environment. This role is unique because you will collaborate with classroom teachers to weave movement, mindfulness, and nature-based learning into grade-level projects and daily routines. Additionally, classroom teachers will support you in connecting reading and math within your lessons.

As a Founding Movement, Mindfulness, and Outdoor Teacher, you will create an inclusive space that celebrates well-being, confidence, connection, and a love of the natural world.

At Spruce, we believe that children, like trees, grow in two directions:

• They deepen their roots in self-discovery and foundational academic and social skills.
• They extend their branches to enrich their surroundings through project-based learning and place-based education.

Our Mission: At Spruce Community School, students find their purpose through adaptive thinking and joyful engagement as we reimagine academic excellence.

Spruce is a place where curiosity, kindness, and courage drive every decision.

Spruce is a place where we inspire life-long learners who are equally prepared to listen and lead our world. Our approach combines high expectations, interdisciplinary project-based learning, and a commitment to whole-child development. At Spruce learning is rigorous but joyful, structured yet exploratory, and always connected to our city.

We believe:

• Learning happens in connection with the world.
• Learning happens in relationships.
• Learning is about becoming. Students don’t just learn skills—they become artists, engineers, scientists, historians, and change-makers.

We believe quality teachers are the most important factor in creating phenomenal student outcomes. Teaching is a craft that develops over time, and we're committed to elevating the profession through continuous coaching, training, and development. We aspire for Spruce to exemplify sustainability in teaching by trusting educators to create beautiful and challenging learning environments.

Why Spruce?

Join a group of likeminded visionaries who refuse to uphold the traditional norms of education. When people say, "I don’t think you can do all of that," we say, “it’s not a question of possibility, but of will.”

What You Bring? & Who You Are?

You believe in the potential of every child and turn vision into reality through action, care, and innovation.

• Rooted in Relationships – You build deep connections with students, families, community members, and colleagues, making school feel like home where everyone is known, valued, and celebrated.
• Equity-Driven & Results-Oriented – You refuse to accept opportunity gaps and believe all children can achieve at the highest levels when given the right support.
• Obsessed with Data & Improvement – You use student work as a form of assessment, reflection, and growth, helping children develop a deep sense of pride and ownership over their learning.
• Creative, Playful & Joyful – You bring wonder, laughter, and a willingness to try new things.
• Flexible & Committed – You are a self starter who is ready to put in the hard work to launch a school that will change lives.
• Passionate about Pedagogy – You love to design student learning that prioritizes: place, time, and engagement through interdisciplinary project based learning.

Qualifications + Additional Requirements

➔ Bachelor’s degree required; teaching certification preferred

➔ At least two years of early childhood or elementary teaching experience

➔Ability to demonstrate mastery of your craft

➔ Must be able to meet the physical demands of working with young children (prolonged standing, movement, and lifting up to 15 pounds)

➔ Willingness to uphold all Spruce policies and procedures

➔ Other administrative duties assigned based on Spruce’s needs

Team Expectations:

Our school is a hands-on, flexible, start-up community where no two days are alike. A desire to ‘do more’ for our students and their families is a core value of our team. We are a high-support, collaborative team, working together to make a meaningful difference for every student and family. We celebrate the joy, creativity, and impact of doing this work together.

How to Apply?

• Submit your resume and answers to the following questions to
• Please submit answers to the application questions in addition to submitting your resume

Spruce Community School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the students and families we serve.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Describe a specific movement, mindfulness, or outdoor learning lesson or unit you designed and implemented. What were your learning objectives, and what data or evidence did you collect to measure student growth? Please share concrete results (e.g., pre/post assessments, student work samples, observation data, or family feedback) that demonstrate the impact of your instruction.
• This role requires close collaboration with classroom teachers to integrate movement, mindfulness, and outdoor learning into grade-level projects and daily routines. Describe a time when you successfully collaborated with other educators to design and implement an interdisciplinary unit or project.

Work Location: In person