About Primer
Primer is a growing network of K–8 schools restoring the timeless foundations of American education. Inspired by the original teaching primers that shaped a nation of readers, thinkers, and builders, our schools begin with what has always worked, and build for what lies ahead. Close-knit learning environments. Skilled educators. A culture that takes kids seriously as learners and leaders.
Primers shaped the first 200 years of American children. Primer will ready them for the next.
About the Role
Primer Leaders are the heartbeat of a Primer campus. You take kids seriously, build deep relationships with families, and create a stable, joyful, consistent learning environment.
This is not a traditional classroom job. It blends instructional leadership, operations management, family partnership, and culture creation. You teach literacy, math, execute Pursuits that are a cross of science and social studies, and manage the daily rhythm of your cohort.
This work requires ownership, judgment, follow-through, and comfortability making decisions on your own. You are the quarterback of your classroom and a core member of the campus team.
Responsibilities
Student and Family Experience
Build and uphold Primer’s Take Kids Seriously culture
Know every student’s academic level, strengths, and needs
Build trusting relationships with families
Maintain a classroom culture where students feel respected, known, and safe
Create a predictable, well-run environment every day
Instructional and Program Ownership
K–2: Teach daily lessons in reading, writing, and math through small-group instruction
3–8: Teach daily literacy lessons, provide instructional support as students work through an individualized digital math curriculum, and partner closely with math Content Teachers to drive individual progress.
Know where every student is in math and literacy: pacing, mastery, misconceptions
Comfortably use our school’s operations digital platform to monitor student progress and keep the day running smoothly
Run high-quality Pursuits, Primer’s interdisciplinary curriculum for applied learning
Follow a predictable daily schedule and keep students on track
Review and respond to student data weekly
Lead parent conferences throughout the year
Support on-going admissions by running prospective family campus tours
Operational Excellence
Share regular classroom updates with families and your campus team
Participate in daily staff check-ins and weekly team communications
Keep the classroom organized, safe, and optimized for learning
Ensure students consistently follow school routines and expectations, including uniforms
Follow all school safety procedures, including emergency drills and incident protocols
Respond promptly to operational needs, requests, and school workflows
Communication and Team Collaboration
Communicate proactively with families and teammates
Ask early questions and avoid assumptions
Collaborate with teammates for coverage and problem-solving
Respond constructively to feedback
Maintain a consistent, calm presence that supports the entire campus
What we’re looking for
You have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
You have 3+ years experience as a lead teacher, homeschooling parent or child care provider for K-8 kids.
Strong communication with students, families, and teammates
Ability to create a calm, structured, positive classroom environment
Organized, prepared, and able to keep routines running smoothly
Comfort using technology for instruction and tracking student progress
Good judgment, especially in fast-paced situations
Collaboration first — willing to problem-solve with others and ask questions early
Proactive mindset: anticipates challenges and addresses small issues before they grow
Why this role may not be a fit
You want to run your own school outside of Primer’s model
You rely on large teams or heavy direction
You struggle to make decisions quickly
You prefer strict rules instead of clear systems
You avoid difficult conversations
You resist technology or digital tools
You default to personal philosophy instead of Primer’s
Primer is a mission-first company. We believe our mission is the highest-leverage way we can create positive change. In service of that, we keep work centered on mission execution and avoid social or political activism at work that’s unrelated to the mission. If that energizes you, we’d love to see you apply.