San Diego
Job Description Position: Lead Teacher for Rising Third, Rising Fourth, Rising Fifth Grade Summer Dates: June 15 - 18 (Mandatory Training), June 22 - August 1, 2026 (Showcase on August 1) Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm except July 4 School Year Dates (Meetups): A minimum of 6 monthly meetups Location: Mission Hills campus of Francis Parker School, San Diego Organization Background As an affiliate of the Horizons National network, Horizons San Diego is a year-round program with a summer intensive offering academic and enrichment support that addresses the achievement and opportunity gaps of students facing educational inequities. At the heart of Horizons lies an exemplary academic program that supports a cohort of students in reading, writing, math, and science. This is paired with swimming lessons, field trips, sports, and enrichment activities in the areas of performing and visual arts. The program also includes a year-round component featuring family events, enrichment activities, and regular visits to and communication with students’ schools and teachers. Horizons San Diego is located at our host school, Francis Parker Lower School. For more information about Horizons, please visit and . Position Overview Horizons San Diego is the most joyful, inclusive, inspiring place to educate children! We are seeking a dedicated and effective Lead Teacher to join our family for Rising First Grade. We hope that they come with a dynamic talent for creating and nurturing a lifelong love of learning in children. We are looking for talented, passionate, caring professionals who will fulfill our mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring, and educational culture. The Lead Teacher will work with a team of educators and will be supported by the Executive Director and Site Manager. We prioritize continuity for our students, and aim to bring on strong teachers who can return to the program for multiple years. Essential Job Functions The Lead Teacher will: • Design and teach a high-quality, culturally competent, project-based curriculum and engage students in learning math, science, and language arts throughout our six-week summer program., • Plan and lead joyful, community-building games and enriching experiential learning opportunities, and accompany students to swimming lessons and field trips., • Lead the Horizons faculty/staff in identifying individual students’ learning profiles, building on each youth's academic strengths, and coordinating resources and activities to best address his/her areas of need., • Participate in daily meals with the students, attend faculty meetings, and other duties that may be required., • Attend a one-week orientation session prior to the start of the program., • Assist in the training and supervision of program staff, including assisting in planning and facilitating professional development and ongoing coaching for faculty/staff, and sharing instructional strategies and student information. Mentor the assistant teacher(s) and work with staff to review assessment data and align curriculum across subject areas., • Develop and nurture a safe, respectful, challenging, and enriching learning environment., • Assist in evaluating program effectiveness., • As needed and appropriate, aid in accessing and attracting useful resources of community institutions, the school system, public agencies, and local businesses to benefit the Horizons programs., • Help maintain ongoing communication with parents, caregivers, and school-year teachers., • Participate in the planning and delivery of learning activities for students and families on Saturdays or evenings throughout the school year. (minimum of 6 Meetups), • Meet regularly with the Executive Director as needed to accomplish goals and/or problem-solve as issues occur., • In collaboration with the Executive Director, provide ongoing input into this job description as the position unfolds to keep this job description as accurate as possible. Qualifications In addition to a strong commitment to the mission of Horizons, this position requires a balance of knowledge of best practices and practical experience, and proficiency in instruction skills. The ideal candidate for the Lead Teacher position must be flexible, well-organized, capable of taking the initiative, and enthusiastic about teaching and learning. More detailed qualifications for this position include: • A minimum of 2-3 years of lead teaching experience., • A gift for both building on students' love of learning and bolstering their basic academic skills., • Proven ability to relate well to diverse children and families, plan and deliver engaging, challenging lessons for urban school-age children, and teach effective strategies for second language learners., • Knowledge and skill in classroom management, social-emotional learning, and specific strategies for developing children’s noncognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy, and self-discipline., • Immersion in diversity work — both in training and implementation — and a commitment to fostering culturally competent and inclusive learning environments., • Fluency in English/Spanish preferred (bicultural also preferred)., • Experience designing and delivering curriculum for early elementary second language learners., • A strong passion for working with youth and a strong desire to help make a difference in the lives of under-resourced students., • Ability to maintain good communication between all parties, to have clear expectations and directions, and to provide feedback to the Executive Director, to staff, and to Horizons National as the curriculum and the program unfolds., • Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills., • Leadership experience and the ability to work as a multidisciplinary team member., • Teaching credential or equivalent experience, with a BCLAD, preferred. Dates: The position is full-time during the six weeks of the program and a minimum of (6) Meetups (Saturday mornings or weekday evenings) throughout the school year. • Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18 - Faculty orientation week and classroom set-up, • Monday, June 22 - Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1 - Six-week program and Showcase Salary and Benefits This is an Exempt Seasonal position. The pay rate range is $1,720 - $2120, depending on education and experience. This position is not eligible for benefits. Meetups: Hourly Pay Non-Discrimination Horizons San Diego values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds. All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Horizons San Diego is an equal-opportunity employer. Application Process: If interested in the position, please email your resume, transcripts, and cover letter to .