Start Date: August 2026
School Opening: August 2026
Location: On-site | Full-time – Colorado Springs, CO
Compensation: Salaried Exempt – $50,000–$85,000 (DOE)

Overview

Spruce Community School is seeking exceptional educators to launch our founding kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classrooms. As a Founding Teacher, you will create a joyful, rigorous, and community-connected learning environment where young learners build strong academic foundations, develop social-emotional skills, and cultivate a deep love of learning.

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. 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. Learning at Spruce is rigorous but joyful, structured yet exploratory, and always connected to our city.

What We Believe

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

Why Spruce?

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

Join a group of like-minded visionaries who refuse to uphold traditional norms of education. We believe students should not be separated by class, career trajectory, nor isolated from the communities they serve.

What You Bring & Who You Are

• Rooted in Relationships: You build deep connections with students, families, community members, and colleagues.
• Equity-Driven & Results-Oriented: You believe all children can achieve at the highest levels with the right support.
• Obsessed with Data & Improvement: You use student work as assessment, reflection, and growth.
• Creative, Playful & Joyful: You bring wonder, laughter, and curiosity into the classroom.
• Flexible & Committed: You are a self-starter ready to help launch a school that will change lives.
• Passionate About Pedagogy: You love interdisciplinary, project-based, and place-based learning.

Qualifications & Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field required
• At least two years of early childhood or elementary teaching experience strongly preferred
• Experience with structured literacy programs (Orton-Gillingham, LETRS, or similar) preferred
• Experience with project-based or experiential learning preferred
• Ability to meet physical demands of working with young children (standing, movement, lifting up to 15 pounds)
• Willingness to uphold all Spruce policies and procedures
• Other administrative duties as assigned based on school needs

Team Expectations

Spruce is a hands-on, start-up community where no two days are alike. Teachers engage in data dives, field trips, exhibitions, community events, and family outreach. Some days may require staying late for conferences or special events. We are a high-support, collaborative team dedicated to making a meaningful difference for every student and family.

How to Apply

1. Submit your resume and responses to the questions below to Natascha@SpruceCommunitySchool.org
2. Please answer the following questions:

• Describe one positive impact you have made on students’ literacy growth. What specific strategy did you implement, and what data demonstrates student progress?
• Share an example of a positive impact you had on your school community. What did you do, and what tangible evidence shows the difference your contribution made?

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Spruce Community School celebrates diversity and is committed to building a team that reflects the students and families we serve.