Employment

Employment

Employment Opportunities

Poughkeepsie Day School employs a diverse, talented, and enthusiastic faculty, administration, and staff. Job openings are posted as they become available.

Full descriptions can be found below.

Poughkeepsie Day School (PDS) is a progressive, coeducational preK–grade 8 school. PDS distinguishes itself from other Hudson Valley independent schools through a commitment to a highly differentiated and interdisciplinary curriculum tailored to each and every student. The school is an International Baccalaureate candidate for both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and is committed to building a diverse and equitable community based on inclusivity, accountability, and mutual respect. 

PDS strives to have its faculty, administration, and student body reflect the diversity of the society in which we live. The school is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of its mission and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. Poughkeepsie Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

PreK-Kindergarten Classroom Teacher (2026-27)
Poughkeepsie Day School seeks a dynamic, experienced early childhood educator to lead a mixed-age PreK–K classroom. This teacher will work collaboratively within the Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, creating a joyful, inquiry-based environment where children learn through play, exploration, and relationships.

At PDS, we value a constructivist approach in which children’s questions, interests, and developmental needs guide the curriculum. The teacher serves as both facilitator and observer, designing responsive experiences that support social, emotional, and cognitive growth, with a strong emphasis on community and belonging.

Responsibilities include:

  • Designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum grounded in the IB PYP
  • Supporting a mixed-age classroom through differentiated instruction and observation
  • Support associate teacher in planning, preparation, and behavior management
  • Documenting learning through portfolios, assessments, and progress reports
  • Partnering with families through conferences and ongoing communication
  • Collaborating with colleagues and specialists to support each child
  • Creating an inclusive, anti-bias classroom environment
  • Participating in school events and engaging with the broader community
  • Pursuing ongoing professional growth

Ideal candidates will possess:

  • Experience with early childhood or primary-aged children, ideally in a mixed-age setting
  • A strong understanding of play-based, inquiry-driven learning
  • Familiarity with the IB PYP or similar frameworks (preferred)
  • Skills in observation, documentation, and differentiated instruction
  • A collaborative, relationship-centered approach
  • Knowledge of social and emotional learning practices
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • A passion for early childhood education

Part-Time Lower School Art Teacher (Sep. 2026)
Poughkeepsie Day School is seeking a part-time Art Teacher (3 days per week) to join our team beginning September 2026. This faculty member will lead mixed age art classes in PreK–Grade 8 and collaborate with PDS’s Lower and Middle School teams to ensure delivery of an interdisciplinary arts program that explores a wide variety of 2-D and 3-D media. The position includes three days on campus, with a schedule of approximately 9:45 a.m.–2:45 p.m. one day per week and 9:45 a.m.–5:45 p.m. two days per week, the latter including support of our aftercare program.

We seek an educator who practices a materials-based, process-oriented art education philosophy and engages in a multicultural pedagogy. The successful candidate will track students’ progress and needs, and communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal form.

Qualified candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree and, preferably, a Master’s degree in Art Education or a related field and teaching experience in art. 

Rate: $25/hr

Responsibilities include:

  • Instructing students in five cohorts twice weekly: lower school (3), middle school (2)
  • Keeping a tidy and organized classroom
  • Displaying students’ artwork for the PDS community to view
  • Collaborating with teachers in other subjects to promote interdisciplinary creativity
  • Ability to organize lessons or trips with art and nature groups in the Hudson Valley
  • Written evaluations of students’ work and progress

Ideal candidates should possess:

  • Experience with teaching the artistic process with school-age children
  • Ability to collaborate closely and communicate effectively with a team
  • The desire to encourage lifelong learning through fostering artistic habits of mind and cultivating creative expression
  • Encouragement of the process of art making and problem solving over the end product
  • Experience in leading artistic explorations across a variety of 2-D and 3-D mediums and processes
  • A dedication to fostering students’ social and emotional well-being
  • A sense of humor, an interest in professional growth, a commitment to school wide initiatives, and the ability to be both the lead and a team player

PDS strives to have its faculty, administration, and student body reflect the diversity of the society in which we live. The school is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of our school’s mission and to promoting an environment of equality, belonging, and respect for difference. Poughkeepsie Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

Lower and Middle School Substitute Teachers
PDS is seeking teachers to be on our substitute list for the 2025-26 school year. You will be expected to communicate with other teachers, with specialists, and with other members of the staff and administration to promote the general well-being of each student and the Poughkeepsie Day School community. As a substitute teacher, you are expected to maintain a classroom environment that reflects and promotes the mission of Poughkeepsie Day School.
In your application, please indicate your experience and knowledge with regard to STEM and literacy instruction.

Specific requirements:

  • Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree
  • Classroom experience
  • Collaborative skills
  • Ability to differentiate instruction.

How to Apply

To express interest in posted positions and future employment* at PDS, please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@poughkeepsieday.org

*Note: If you choose to submit an unsolicited resume in anticipation of a position becoming available, it will be kept on file for one year only.