Work with us.

We are seeking preschool and elementary assistant teachers, specialists and substitute directors for the 2025/2026 school year and beyond.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute director for the Forager School, please email us at info@forager.school for required qualifications and further information.

Elementary Assistant Teacher at The Forager School 

Salary: $22–$32/hour (depending on experience)
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time
Location: Gualala, California
Start Date: August 2025
Website: https://www.forager.school

The Forager School is launching a progressive elementary microschool rooted in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and we’re looking for an Assistant Teacher to join our founding team. Building on the strong foundation of our preschool program, this is a unique opportunity to help build something new and meaningful alongside curious children, supportive families, and creative educators!

About the Program:

Opening Fall 2025, the Forager Elementary Program will begin with 7 to 10 children ages 5 to 9 in a mixed-age classroom. Students will engage in foundational academics integrated with STEAM-based projects, creative problem solving, and outdoor exploration. The Assistant Teacher will support the lead teacher in creating a dynamic, collaborative learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support daily learning experiences in literacy, math, science, art, social-emotional learning, and nature-based exploration. Lead portions of the daily program.

  • Foster a warm, inclusive classroom community and help students navigate routines, transitions, and collaborative learning

  • Support students individually and in small groups, adapting to different ages, learning styles, and levels of readiness

  • Collaborate with the lead teacher and specialists as a thought partner, sharing ideas and co-creating meaningful learning experiences

  • Prepare and organize classroom materials and help document student learning

  • Engage in training to support teaching of core curriculum programs

  • Support the Elementary Director with administrative tasks

  • Facilitate outdoor learning, field trips, and community-based projects 

Qualifications:

  • Experience working with early elementary-aged children 

  • Enthusiasm for experiential, nature-based, and child-centered education

  • Collaborative, flexible, and dependable

  • Up-to-date immunizations and ability to pass a background check upon hire

  • Clean driving record

To Apply:

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following questions, along with a resume to: info@forager.school

  1. Share an activity or project you helped facilitate that sparked joy, curiosity, or deeper thinking for children. What made it special?

  2. What excites you about working in a mixed-age, hands-on learning environment like The Forager School?

Foreign Language Specialist Teacher (Spanish or Mandarin)

Salary: $30-$50/hour (depending on experience)
Employment Type: Part-Time
Location: Gualala, California
Start Date: August 2025
Website: https://www.forager.school

The Forager School is excited to bring world languages to life and is seeking a vibrant Spanish or Mandarin teacher to introduce early elementary students to the joys of language learning. We are looking for educators who can visit several times per week. Our ideal candidate is a fluent speaker who brings language to life through storytelling, music, games, and connection – aligned with our nature-based, child-led approach to learning.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Lead engaging Spanish or Mandarin language sessions for early elementary children

  • Create a playful and immersive learning environment through music, storytelling, movement, games, and real-world connection

  • Collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate language instruction into broader themes and projects when possible

  • Develop consistent routines and rhythms for language exposure, appropriate to early elementary learners

  • Observe and respond to students’ interests and needs; adapt plans as needed to support joyful learning

  • Participate in occasional community events or celebrations where language and culture can be shared

Qualifications:

  • Fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, with clear pronunciation and conversational ease

  • Able to commute to campus several times per week

  • Experience teaching early elementary aged students

  • Ability to design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that center joy and cultural connection

  • Enthusiasm for progressive education values and child-centered learning

  • Up-to-date immunizations and ability to pass a background check upon hire

To Apply:

Please send a brief letter of interest describing your background and why you’re excited about this opportunity, along with your resume, to info@forager.school.

Music Specialist Teacher

Salary: $30-$50/hour (depending on experience)
Employment Type: Part-Time
Location: Gualala, California
Start Date: August 2025
Website: https://www.forager.school

The Forager School is seeking a part-time Music Specialist to guide early elementary students in joyful, hands-on musical exploration. We’re looking for someone who can nurture musicality through singing, rhythm, movement, and play –  ideally grounded in approaches like Kodály, Orff, or other child-centered music education philosophies.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Design and lead dynamic music sessions for early elementary students

  • Introduce foundational musical concepts through singing, rhythm, movement, and instruments

  • Incorporate child-centered methods such as Kodály, Orff, or Dalcroze to support joyful, developmentally appropriate music learning

  • Adapt activities for mixed-age, multi-skill-level learners

  • Collaborate with classroom teachers to connect music with other areas of learning

  • Foster a joyful, inclusive environment where children feel confident expressing themselves musically

  • Support opportunities for informal student performances or seasonal celebrations

Qualifications:

  • Experience teaching music to early elementary aged students in a classroom or group setting

  • Able to commute to campus one or more days per week

  • Knowledge of early childhood music teaching approaches, with experience in methods such as Kodály, Orff, or Dalcroze welcomed but not required 

  • Comfort and creativity in using voice, rhythm, instruments, and movement to engage young learners

  • Passion for nurturing confidence, joy, and self-expression through music

  • Enthusiasm for progressive education values and child-centered learning

  • Up-to-date immunizations and ability to pass a background check upon hire

To Apply:

Please send a brief letter of interest describing your background and why you’re excited about this opportunity, along with your resume, to info@forager.school.

Assistant Teacher for a Preschool on the Sonoma/Mendocino Coast 

Salary: $21/hr+ (depending on experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time

Benefits: Sick days, paid holidays, professional development to support career growth (ECE credits, conferences, workshops, skills training, etc.)

Location: Gualala, California 

Start Date: Flexible

Seeking an Assistant Teacher for a vibrant, creative, mixed-age preschool on the California coast in the Sea Ranch/Gualala area. The Forager School is a play-based preschool for kids ages 2 to 5. We prioritize a love of learning, creative problem-solving, outdoor exploration, and social-emotional learning. Located in a rural setting, our school is well integrated with the outdoors and fosters an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. 

The Assistant Teacher will collaborate with the Preschool Director to build a learning environment for 8 to 12 students. Our ideal candidate is creative, flexible, self-motivated, highly collaborative, and values strong relationships. Additionally, s/he is familiar with Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches, and is excited to partner with the Preschool Director to develop a curriculum that encourages children to be active participants in their own education. This position will report to the Preschool Director. Passion for education and a love of children are a given! 

In this role, you would: 

  • Provide nurturing care and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for young children. 

  • Assist the Preschool Director in carrying out lesson plans by preparing and setting up classroom activities and leading portions of the daily program.

  • Collaborate in curriculum development and field trip programming based on students’ developmental stages and interests. Attend regular meetings with the Preschool Director to discuss curriculum plans and development observations.

  • Support teaching key skills including social-emotional and interpersonal skills, sharing, self-awareness, self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and relationship building.

  • Maintain an open line of communication with parents and provide constructive feedback on a regular or as-needed basis under the guidance of the Preschool Director. Participate in parent-teacher conferences. 

  • Supervise and engage with children on field trips and drive the school vehicle as needed.  

  • Assist in keeping the classroom clean and orderly throughout the day, and assist with setup and cleanup at the beginning/end of each day. 

  • Help children use the bathroom and assist with nap-time diapering. 

  • Support the Preschool Director with administrative tasks as necessary. 

  • Work with diverse populations of children and adults from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Requirements:  

  • At least one (1) year of experience working with children ages 2 to 5 years old, preferably in a childcare setting.

  • Completed or currently in the process of earning a minimum of six (6) ECE credits. Candidates interested in obtaining director level credentials are encouraged to apply. 

  • Bilingual candidates (Spanish and English) encouraged to apply.

  • Up-to-date immunization records

  • Submit to a criminal background check upon hire.

  • Clean driving record and ability to drive a school vehicle. 

To Apply:

Apply through the button below or send an email to info@forager.school.

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide brief answers to the following prompts:

  1. Describe an inspiring lesson for preschool aged children that you have organized and taught.

  2. Describe a previous experience where you worked in collaboration with another teacher in a learning environment, and what you learned from this experience.