Duke School — a nationally recognized leader in project-based learning — seeks an experienced Lower School Teacher to join our vibrant, inclusive learning community in Durham, North Carolina. Rooted in a commitment to rigorous, joyful, inquiry-driven education, to developmentally grounded teaching, and to fostering a community of belonging, Duke School empowers students and educators to grow, collaborate, and lead with purpose.

As a Lower School Teacher, you will:

• Serve as one of two teachers (co-teacher model) in a third or fourth-grade classroom of approximately 24 students, sharing tasks for planning, implementation, student evaluation, classroom management, and communication in a highly collaborative setting that promotes reflection and mutual support.

• Guide rich, inquiry-based projects that integrate multiple disciplines, emphasizing social studies and science curriculum reflective of standards and benchmarks for those disciplines.

• Design and deliver differentiated, explicit instruction in core content areas of reading, writing, and mathematics through a workshop approach.

• Build strong relationships with students and families to support the holistic development of each learner

• Contribute actively to a collaborative, reflective, and forward-thinking faculty culture within the Lower School Division and as a member of the schoolwide community.

Who You Are

• An experienced educator with a deep understanding of child development and best practices in teaching

• A believer in student agency and authentic learning 

• A skilled facilitator of both academic and social-emotional growth

• A lifelong learner who values collaboration and innovation in education

• A committed advocate for DEIB, dedicated to making all students and families feel seen, valued, and cared for, bringing a culturally responsive lens to teaching

Desired Preparation, Traits, and Attributes

• An elementary education degree and at least three years of teaching experience; master-level training is preferred

• Solid preparation and understanding of teaching

• A belief in the strength and capacity of learners

• The desire to foster curiosity, wonder, and joy

• An understanding of the developmental stages of elementary students, social-emotional growth, and culturally responsive teaching and learning

• Demonstrated skill in designing and implementing elementary curriculum, instruction, and evaluative measures aligned with Duke School’s mission and progressive, inquiry-based approach

• Clear communicator, in writing and orally

• The critical ability to work collaboratively with a teaching partner  

• A strong sense of professionalism and interest in being part of a school community

• A sense of humor and flexibility

 Why Duke School?

Located in the heart of the vibrant Research Triangle, Duke School offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a region celebrated for its educational excellence, cultural richness, and natural beauty. With easy access to universities, a thriving arts scene, and miles of greenways and trails, Durham is the perfect backdrop for inspired teaching and balanced living.

As part of our deep commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth, Duke School offers educators exceptional opportunities for development through our Educators Institute. Grounded in the principles of The Project Approach, the Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, reflection, and innovation, bringing together educators from around the country to deepen their practice in inquiry-based teaching. Faculty at Duke School are encouraged to engage with this vibrant professional community, continually evolving their craft while contributing to a broader movement in constructivist education.

About Duke School

Duke School, located in Durham, N.C., serves approximately 500 students from Preschool through Grade 8 in a nationally recognized, project-based learning environment. Set in the heart of the Research Triangle—one of the country’s most dynamic regions for education, healthcare, and innovation—Duke School benefits from a vibrant, growing community with deep intellectual and cultural resources. Organized into Early Childhood (Preschool–Kindergarten), Lower School (Grades 1–4), and Middle School (Grades 5–8), the school is defined by its use of the Project Approach—an inquiry-driven model that develops analytical thinking, deep research, and collaborative problem-solving from the earliest years. Students engage in sustained, in-depth investigations that culminate in meaningful presentations reflecting strong student voice, agency, and joyful collaboration. Duke School also prioritizes a strong social curriculum and a community grounded in respect, inclusion, and engagement, supported by a distinctive staffing model of two teachers in every classroom.

Connections working at Duke School