Classroom Teacher (Elementary / Middle Years)

Location: Pear Tree School, Vancouver, BC

Join a school where curriculum is built for you – so you can focus on teaching, not content creation.

Start: August 2026  |  Type: Full-time  |  Salary: $85,000-$95,000/year

Note: A graduate degree in education (M.Ed. or equivalent) is a non-negotiable requirement for this role.

The school & the mission

Pear Tree School exists to transform education so young people can live happy, fulfilling lives and become positive agents of change. We move beyond traditional schooling by integrating academic excellence, social-emotional growth, physical well-being, and ethical development into one cohesive approach – delivered through theme-based, inquiry-driven, hands-on learning.

We are expanding for 2026-27 and are hiring teachers who want to do the best work of their career in a school that takes educational craft seriously.

The role

You will lead a combined-grade classroom (K/1, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, or 8/9).

Curriculum is provided. You are not expected to write curriculum from scratch. We provide a comprehensive, high-quality thematic curriculum (the Pear Tree Method). Your role is to bring it to life through strong instruction, thoughtful differentiation, and a warm, structured classroom culture.

You will design supporting materials as needed (practice tasks, homework where appropriate, assessments, rubrics, and exemplars) aligned to the provided curriculum.

The deal

We are looking for educators who want to build a professional chapter here – not a short stopover. Our model takes time to master, and we invest heavily in Year 1 (coaching, curriculum systems, PTM certification). In return, we are looking for people who approach this as a career move, not a gap year.

Eligibility

You must be legally authorized to work in Canada for the 2026-27 school year and eligible for BC certification. We verify work authorization and certification before extending a final offer – this protects both sides from late surprises.

Why teachers stay

  • 16-student classes. Not aspirational – actual. Every classroom, every year.
  • Team planning with a partner teacher. You are never isolated.
  • Curriculum provided. You do not write everything from scratch – we give you a complete system.
  • Report cards mostly automated. Your time goes into teaching and feedback, not paperwork.
  • PTM progression. High performers unlock mentor/lead roles and expanded scope.

Training & expectations

We do not expect you to know our method on Day 1, but we do require a strong commitment to mastering it.

All new teachers complete Pear Tree Method (PTM) Certification during their first year. We invest in you through structured training, instructional coaching, and practical support – so you are equipped to execute the approach well.

What success looks like (Year 1)

  • By end of Term 1: Strong routines, warm-structured culture, and consistent evidence of learning.
  • By end of Year 1: Confident execution of the Pear Tree Method, clear assessment evidence, and trusted parent partnership.

What you’ll do

  • Deliver & adapt: Implement our provided thematic curriculum with strong instructional practice, tailoring delivery to your students.
  • Create materials: Design aligned supporting resources (practice/homework where appropriate, assessments, rubrics, exemplars) that reinforce learning and provide clear evidence of progress.
  • Cultivate culture: Build a classroom grounded in warmth, boundaries, and high expectations.
  • Collaborate: Work closely with your grade-level partner and the wider team to strengthen consistency in assessment and student support.
  • Build rapport: Communicate clearly and proactively with parents/guardians to build trust and partnership.

Who you are

We look for capacity and character first. You’ll thrive here if you are:

  • A warm-strict leader: You build strong connections with students while holding firm standards.
  • Coach-able and reflective: You want feedback, apply it, and continuously refine your practice.
  • A team player: You value collaboration over isolation and contribute to collective excellence.
  • Mission-aligned: You can articulate why education needs to evolve and how you support the whole child.
  • Interdisciplinary: You’re comfortable teaching across subjects within a cohesive theme.
  • Reliable: You follow through—when you commit to a deadline, it ships, or you flag risk early with a recovery plan.

Qualifications

Required

  • A graduate degree in education (M.Ed. or equivalent) is a non-negotiable requirement for this role.
  • Valid BC Teacher Certification, or eligibility and commitment to obtain it by an agreed deadline.
  • 3+ years elementary or middle years classroom teaching experience.
  • Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred

  • Demonstrated success with inquiry/project-based learning, combined-grade teaching, and/or progressive models.
  • Evidence of strong parent communication and partnership-building.

Compensation & benefits

  • Salary: $85,000–$95,000 per year (based on experience & qualifications).
  • Benefits: Extended health, dental, and more.
  • Work-life balance: Significant vacation time, small classes, and a supportive environment that values your well-being.
  • Professional development: Continuous in-house training (PTM) and external learning opportunities.

How to apply

Submit your resume and cover letter (PDF) via Hiring Steps.

In your cover letter, answer these two questions briefly (2-3 paragraphs total is fine):

  1. Describe a time you adapted a provided curriculum to make it more engaging for your students.
  2. Tell us about critical feedback you received on your teaching – and what you did differently afterward.

Shortlisted candidates can expect an initial response within 5 business days.

[Link to Hiring Steps Application Page]