Exempt 1.0 FTE
Start Date: August 7, 2026
Reports to: Director of Educational Mentorship
All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.
Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.
Job Summary
The UCDS Teaching Fellowship provides early-career and aspiring educators the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in education while immersed in a two-year teaching fellowship at an innovative independent school in Seattle, WA. Fellows participate in the full teaching life with the support of experienced mentor teachers and advisors. The teaching environment allows fellows to directly apply what they are learning in the UCDS M.Ed. program to the classroom setting. Fellows develop an understanding of how classroom and school culture impact learning and develop their reflective practice skills. To be selected, fellows must be admitted and enroll in the UCDS Graduate School of Education.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Collaborate with experienced teachers to plan, develop and implement curriculum in a dynamic, multi-age classroom environment.
- Instruct and assess students in response to their developmental needs and expectations.
- Lead small and large groups of students in different curricular areas, and foster a supportive learning environment for all students.
- Co-teach with a mentor teacher and collaborate with grade level team members, communicating needs, observations and ideas.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and regular cohort meetings.
- Participate in formal and informal planning meetings during and after school hours.
- Communicate with parents and guardians through conferences and written reports.
- Contribute to school community duties such as lunch/recess, gaining opportunities to facilitate Social Emotional Learning.
- Support school-wide equity initiatives and participate in faculty committees.
- Serve as a counselor for one flexible week of UCDS summer camp, applying skills, creating programming, and facilitating social-emotional growth in a multi-age camp setting. Specific dates to be determined.
Education &/or Experience
- Prior experience working with children and/or school-aged youth
- A Bachelor’s Degree
Qualifications
- Willingness to collaborate professionally
- Enthusiasm to try new things and think flexibly
- Demonstrated commitment to education
- Commitment to advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive teaching and learning environment
- Consistent reliability and commitment to responsibilities.
- Enthusiasm to earn a master’s degree in education while completing a teaching fellowship
Compensation
Fellows will receive a total compensation package of $60,000. This includes a full tuition scholarship of $14,943 and a salary of $45,057 before taxes and withholdings. Fellows will also receive full medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as additional health and wellness benefits, a subsidized computer purchase program, and summer employment opportunities.
Application Process
Click here to follow the M.Ed. and Fellowship application process.
Applications submitted between January 20, 2026 and February 27, 2026 will be reviewed as received, and finalists will be invited to participate in a virtual or an in-person interview. Applications submitted between February 28 and April 10th will be considered through the same process during the second round. Positions are offered on a rolling basis until all spaces for the 2026-27 Teaching Fellow Cohort are filled.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.
We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team. If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Dr. Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel at laurynm@ucds.org.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. The School is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.
All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.