Grade 1 Teacher, Leave (Aug 2026-Dec 2026)

Job Description

Job Description

Reports To: Lower School Director

Dates: August 2026 - December 2026

About Buckingham Browne & Nichols:

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Buckingham Browne & Nichols is a day school that engages students in grades Pre-K through 12 in a rich and invigorating educational experience of the highest quality. The school excels at helping students discover their unique talents and passions and develop those strengths to the fullest. The curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, innovative, and flexible, designed to help qualified students, from a range of backgrounds and with a wide spectrum of talents and interests, reach new levels of accomplishment. Co-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, community service, and other areas add important dimensions to students’ learning. Students learn on three age and developmentally appropriate campuses. At every grade, BB&N takes full advantage of the range of opportunities its locations afford.

BB&N is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution. This commitment is integral to the mission and vision of the School. BB&N is an academically excellent, diverse, and inclusive community where students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. We prepare students to be responsible and open-minded as they engage with the world around them. Our school is guided by the core values of: 

• Inquiry, in which we promote curiosity and critical thinking to inspire a lifelong love of learning. Integrity, in which we strive to be honest, conscientious, and accountable in our actions, even when no one is watching.

• Belonging, in which we foster a culture of respect, well-being, and connection that values all individuals and empowers them to discover and be their authentic selves, and

• Kindness, in which we strengthen our communities by recognizing our common humanity and treating ourselves and others with respect and compassion.

The vibrancy and vitality we feel in the classrooms, hallways, stages, and playing fields of BB&N derive from the people who are here. At its root are the varied interests and experiences, the different backgrounds, cultures, religions, views, and perspectives that our students and faculty bring to their classes and families bring to myriad activities. Each of us adds to the richness of another’s experience. Working and playing together teaches us lifelong lessons about appreciating, knowing, understanding, and learning from each other.

Summary Description:

BB&N is seeking a full-time long-term Grade 1 Substitute Teacher from August 2026 through December 2026. The Grade 1 Teacher is responsible for teaching English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Responsibilities also include creating and maintaining a positive classroom climate, involvement in curriculum development, evaluating each student’s performance and growth, planning and presenting displays designed to exhibit students’ work for the school community, working closely with other teachers in developing single discipline and interdisciplinary learning experiences, preparing progress reports and conference with families throughout the year, and performing scheduled campus duties. 

Some additional responsibilities include but are not limited to leading/co-leading Racial Justice Community Time and Rainbow Community Time, attendance at weekly faculty meetings, ordering of materials, tools, instructional aids, budget management, admissions work, Back to School Night presentation, and any other duties that may be assigned by the Administration. 

In addition, the Grades 1 Teacher is expected to be committed to the following practices:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the curriculum and the community.  

• Engagement in critical reflection and ongoing anti-bias & anti-racist practices.

• Social-emotional learning 

• Using the visual arts to expand on the thoughts and ideas of the students. 

• Collaboration between adults in our community that evolves and advances practice.

• Documentation and assessment of learning in ways that make the learning visible. 

• Understanding of Inquiry based-interdisciplinary research projects and the development of authentic and meaningful experiences that result in exemplary work (a student's best work) and lifelong learning.

• Organization and use of materials within different disciplines in skilled and inventive ways to deepen learning. 

• Installation of organized and aesthetically pleasing learning environments. 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and delivers research-informed instruction across all content areas, including ELA, mathematics, and social studies, that engages students and facilitates active learning.

• Differentiates instruction to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

• Establishes and maintains a positive, structured classroom environment that promotes student engagement, mutual respect, and academic achievement through effective classroom management strategies.

• Designs and administers formative and summative assessments, analyzes student data to inform instruction, and maintains accurate records of student progress.

• Communicates regularly with families about student achievement, behavior, and classroom activities through conferences, emails, newsletters, and other methods.

• Collaborates with grade-level teams, colleagues, and specialists to support student learning, actively participating in team meetings, faculty meetings, professional development, and school committees to contribute to the collaborative culture of the Lower School.

• Supervises students during instructional and non-instructional times, including arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, and other designated periods to ensure student safety and well-being.

• Attends and contributes to school events, family engagement activities, meetings, and other responsibilities that support the broader school community.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements, Skills, and Competencies:

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the elementary school level and an understanding of cognitive and social development for children at this age. Candidates should be well-versed in interdisciplinary curriculum, project work, and anti-bias curriculum. A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a Master’s degree is preferred.

In addition, the candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Joy working with elementary-aged students and an understanding of child development for this age group.

• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community.

• Knowledge and commitment around diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the classroom climate and curriculum.

• A desire to continue seeking professional development and exhibit high standards of professional conduct.

• Excellent writing skills.

• Ability to collaborate with colleagues inside and outside of the curriculum.

• Ability to communicate effectively with students and families.

• Curriculum design and assessment experience.