Founding Teacher – Grades K-1
Thích Nhất Hạnh School of Interbeing (TNH SOI)
Location: Escondido, California (on-site)
Start: Part-time onboarding March 2026; full-time June 2026
Class size at opening: 5–10 students (projected growth to 18)
About the School
The Thích Nhất Hạnh School of Interbeing is a new K–8 independent school opening with grades K–3 in August 2026, located at the foothills of Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, CA. Rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and ethical leadership, the school is rooted in the Plum Village tradition and the teachings of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh.
The School of Interbeing is being developed as part of an emerging village ecosystem alongside a mindful Happy Farm, a future senior care home, lay residences, a youth social service program - all under the care of a spiritual practice center. The school is also cultivating academic research partnerships focused on contemplative learning and wellbeing.
Position Overview
We are seeking a founding teacher for grades K-1 to help co-create the school’s first classroom and lay the foundation for its culture, curriculum, and daily rhythms. This role is ideal for a deeply experienced elementary educator who brings a steady mindfulness practice, joy in working with young children, and enthusiasm for building a new model of teaching, learning, and being in the world.
The founding teacher will steward a mixed-age K-1 classroom, working closely with the Head of School, monastics, families, and the founding team to design a developmentally rich, contemplative, and academically engaging learning environment.
Participation and staffing responsibilities in two one-week retreats at Deer Park Monastery are required as part of onboarding and formation.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching & Learning
- Lead a mixed-age K-1 classroom grounded in mindfulness, compassion, and interbeing
- Provide differentiated instruction across core academic areas
- Design and implement hands-on, interdisciplinary, differentiated learning experiences with contemplative learning goals, integrating nature, arts, movement, and service
- Observe, document, and communicate student growth using developmentally and philosophically aligned assessment methods
Mindfulness & Community Practice
- Model mindful presence, deep listening, and loving speech
- Use Plum Village practices and teachings to create the foundation of daily classroom life
- Partner with monastics, Happy Farm staff, community partners, and sangha members to enrich learning experiences
- Commitment to active participation in the shared life of the school and village community; dedication to Thich Nhat Hanh’s vision for community living
- Engage in regular mindful reflection on contemplative growth and teaching practices, supported by dialogue with the Head of School, teaching colleagues, and monastics
Program Design & Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Head of School and Pedagogy Team to build out and actualize the K-1 program
- Contribute to early school traditions, rituals, and parent education
- Participate in professional development in contemplative education and child development
Family Partnership
- Build warm, trusting relationships with families
- Communicate regularly about classroom life and student progress
- Support a culture of partnership, transparency, and shared care
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 4 years of elementary classroom lead teacher experience; strong academic instruction ability across core subjects and strong classroom management grounded in care, structure, and relationship. Mastery of the fundamentals allows for capacity to learn and grow into a new model of contemplative education.
- Ability to teach in a mixed-age (K-1) setting
- Enthusiasm for designing interdisciplinary or project-based curriculum
- Experience with mindfulness in education, contemplative education, or related practices
- Excellent communication skills with children, families, and colleagues
- Demonstrated proactive, self-starting approach; able to identify needs and drive work forward independently
- Openness to learning and commitment to carrying on the practices and legacy of Thích Nhất Hạnh
Preferred
- Current Plum VIllage practitioner, who has ideally received either the 5 or 14 MTs. Alignment with the teachings and practices of Thích Nhất Hạnh and the Plum Village tradition.
- Valid teaching credential
- Experience in Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Forest School, or other progressive models
Why Join Us
This is a rare opportunity to help shape a founding classroom in a school rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and interbeing. As a founding teacher, you will play a defining role in shaping the school’s culture, daily rhythms, and early traditions, working alongside monastics and a committed community of families and educators.
Compensation
Benefits
- On-site housing provided (details shared with finalists)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement benefits
The Recruitment Process
Applications open until positions are filled.
Shortlisted candidates can expect the following:
- Interview with recruiter
- Hiring team interview with 1-2 members of the SOI’s Board
- Completion of a demo lesson and a written performance task designed to demonstrate key skills and experience for the role
- Panel presentation sharing the performance task with the hiring committee
- Monastic meet and greet/tea ceremony
- Background checks and references
- Offer
Our Commitment to a Mindful and Equitable Process
In the spirit of mindfulness, equity, and right relationship, we ask all applicants to engage fully through the formal application process. To support fairness and collective care, please refrain from reaching out to Board members, monastics, or staff of the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing outside of this process. This helps us meet each candidate with the same presence, care, and integrity.
Please click here to apply
Please note: all applicants will be asked to apply using this link. Please do not email your resume as an application, as you will be redirected back to this form. Thank you.
To learn more about our school, please visit www.tnhschool.org. If you have any questions about this please reach out to careers@tnhschool.org.
