Director of Elementary Education

The Resonance Lab

Date: 1 week ago
City: Cincinnati, OH
Contract type: Full time

Director of Elementary Education

Cincinnati, OH | Full-Time | Begins July 2026

$90,000 annually + benefits & paid wellness days

About The Resonance Lab

At The Resonance Lab, we believe school should feel like possibility.

It should be a place where children wake up excited to learn — not because they have to, but because they want to. A place where agency isn't just a buzzword; it's the heartbeat of the day. A place where purpose is nurtured, resilience is built, and authenticity isn't just celebrated — it's expected.

We're building a microschool where students lead from within, learning is co-created, and every child is deeply seen for who they are and who they are becoming. If you're ready to help build a school that changes the story, we'd love to meet you.

Our Core Values

Love – Rooted in relationship: Every student is deeply seen, held, and honored — for who they are and who they're becoming.

Autonomy – Led from within: We honor student voice, choice, and energetic rhythms.

Co-Creation – Learning is a shared act: Students and guides build curriculum, rituals, and community together.

Authentic Leadership – Be who you are. Lead from there: We cultivate self-awareness, integrity, and courage.

Equity & Belonging – Power with, not power over: Every learner's story shapes our collective experience.

The Role

We're searching for an educator-leader who's equal parts visionary and builder — someone who doesn't just dream about transforming education but is ready to roll up their sleeves and do it.

As our Director of Elementary Education, you'll help design and lead a school that honors childhood, sparks curiosity, and cultivates leadership from the inside out. You'll guide the heartbeat of our K–8 program — from shaping curriculum and supporting staff to co-creating learning experiences alongside students.

This isn't a sit-behind-a-desk leadership role. It's an in-the-arena position where you'll teach, lead, mentor, and co-create every step of the way.

What You'll Do

Summer 2026 — Launch Preparation (July–August)

Drive enrollment — Lead family outreach, conduct school visits and information sessions, and build the relationships that fill our community with the right families.

Hire and onboard instructional staff — Recruit classroom guides and aides who share our values, lead onboarding, and build team culture before the first day of school.

Design and facilitate staff training — Develop orientation experiences rooted in our pedagogical philosophy, ensuring every team member is grounded, confident, and ready.

Expand and deepen community partnerships — Cultivate relationships with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders to build the real-world learning network that makes our curriculum come alive.

Finalize curriculum, rhythms, and rituals — Bring launch-ready structure to the K–8 program so students step into a day that feels intentional from day one.

Year One & Beyond (Starting Fall 2026)

• Lead our elementary program (K–8), blending instructional leadership with hands-on teaching.

• Teach in the microschool environment alongside a classroom teacher and an aide, modeling student-centered practices and co-creating dynamic learning experiences.

• Coach and mentor instructional staff with compassion and clarity.

• Build a culture where student voice, choice, and belonging are woven into every part of the day.

• Collaborate with leadership to evolve programs, measure impact, and innovate as we grow.

Who You Are

A visionary educator who sees school as more than a system — you see it as a living, breathing ecosystem for human potential.

A curriculum designer who thrives on creativity and innovation.

A grounded leader who's not afraid to teach alongside their team and model what's possible.

A connector and community builder who knows that the best schools are rooted in strong relationships beyond their walls.

A collaborator who believes learning is a shared act — among students, teachers, and families.

A lifelong learner who's as passionate about growth as you are about guiding it in others.

Your Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Education (Master's preferred) and a valid Ohio teaching license (or eligibility to obtain).

Valid Ohio Administrative/Principal License — or active pursuit of eligibility to obtain one — required.

• At least 5 years of elementary classroom experience, with leadership or coaching responsibilities.

• Proven ability to design student-centered, project-based, interdisciplinary learning experiences.

• Experience with enrollment, family engagement, hiring, or school launch preferred.

• Deep belief in learner agency, equity, and purpose-driven education.

• Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset.

What Success Looks Like in Year One

• You've led a strong enrollment season, filling our inaugural cohort with families who are aligned with our mission.

• You've hired, trained, and mentored an instructional team that is cohesive, confident, and values-driven.

• You've cultivated meaningful community partnerships that enrich student learning and embed our school in the fabric of Cincinnati.

• Daily rhythms and rituals you helped design are fueling curiosity, creativity, and deep engagement.

• Families describe the school as a place where their children are seen, celebrated, and thriving.

• The Resonance Lab is recognized as a model of authentic, student-centered education — and you've played a pivotal role in shaping that story.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

At The Resonance Lab, you won't just work at a school — you'll help build a movement. You'll shape something bigger than any one classroom: a reimagined educational experience that honors children as leaders of their own learning and cultivates the next generation of radically authentic changemakers.

We offer competitive compensation ($90,000 annually), and paid wellness days — because we believe that caring for the adults who guide our students is essential to the work we do.

How to Apply

Send your resume, a letter of intent, and a brief statement of your educational philosophy to ***email_hidden***. We'll review applications on a rolling basis and reach out to candidates whose vision resonates deeply with ours.