Overview 

Horizons Greater Washington seeks dedicated and effective candidates with a penchant for cultivating students’ lifelong love of learning for the role of Substitute Lead Teacher in our five-week Summer Academy program to cover Summer Academy classrooms when teachers are absent.

Work Locations 

In the application, candidates will be asked to share their preference for the following locations:

Maret School

3000 Cathedral Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20008

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School

4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW

Washington, DC 20007

Norwood School

8821 River Road

Bethesda, MD 20817

Schedule

The typical daily schedule will be Monday through Friday, 8 am to 3:15 pm. For staff members who are riding the bus for bus duty, your schedule will adjust accordingly, based on bus schedules.

KEY DATES include:

Staff Orientation: 06/23/2026-06/26/2026

Summer Program: 06/29/2026-07/31/2026

*There will be no program on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day on July 4th.

Organizational Background

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, is a dedicated leader in advancing educational opportunities by creating long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create enriching out-of-school experiences that ignite the joy of learning for our students.

HGW supports over 400 students across grades 1–9 with robust year-round programming. Our approach is centered on whole-child development, specifically focusing on building problem-solving skills, fostering a strong sense of community responsibility, and instilling respect for self and others. By maintaining this multi-year commitment from the first to the ninth grade, HGW cultivates meaningful, long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated, supportive staff. Our program design and staff practices utilize a Positive Youth Development framework, prioritizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment to effectively meet the needs of our youth.

The cornerstone of our work is the five-week Summer Academy, which expertly blends high-quality academics—with a specific focus on math, humanities, literacy, and STEAM—with comprehensive social-emotional learning, arts instruction, swimming, and confidence-building opportunities.

Position Description  

The HGW Substitute Lead Teacher has classroom experience and a penchant for cultivating students’ lifelong love of learning. The Substitute Lead Teacher covers Summer Academy classrooms when teachers are absent.  The Substitute will work with Program Support Staff and a certified Reading Specialist to deliver engaging, inquiry-based curriculum in small classes of no more than 20 students. Additionally, Substitute Lead Teachers are supported by a Site Director and the HGW administrative team. Candidates will be asked to work with students in 1st through 9th grade.  If there are multiple teacher absences, the substitute teacher may cover more than one class or subject in a day. 

Core Duties and Responsibilities  

Under the direction of the Site Director and/or Program Director, the Substitute Teacher’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Teach high-quality, culturally responsive, project-based curriculum and engage students in Horizons’ core subjects, including math, language arts, STEAM, art, and/or humanities throughout our five-week summer enrichment program 
• Engage approximately 15-20 students in daily lessons that promote active, student-centered learning  
• Establish and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning 
• Supervise students during daily meals and on field trips (as needed) 
• Work with approximately one Program Support Staff to collaboratively deliver lessons and activities 
• Ensure compliance with state and organizational regulations and policies 
• Providing the best possible student experience consistent with expectations for academic rigor, student engagement, and effective teaching 
• Performing other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the assigned HGW site  

Required Qualifications and Competencies  

The ideal candidate will possess classroom experience in project-based instruction, behavior management, and differentiation. Candidates must also be flexible, organized, and self-driven. 

• High School Diploma or GED required 
• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university preferred but equivalent experience considered 
• Knowledge of best practices for classroom management  
• Proven ability to plan and deliver engaging, challenging lessons for school-aged children 
• Excellent communicative, organizational, and time management skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team 

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies  

• Position-relevant teaching credentials are strongly preferred, but equivalent content expertise or teaching experience will be considered in lieu of certification 
• Experience teaching elementary and/or middle school-aged students in a classroom setting is strongly preferred 
• Knowledge of effective teaching strategies for second language learners is preferred 

Compensation  

This is an hourly position, with a starting pay rate of $23.75 per hour.  On the third (not consecutive) day of work, the rate is determined by our teacher pay model that accounts for education and academic year teaching experience and ensures equity across all teaching staff. The pay model rate ranges from $23.75 to $29.11.  Returning staff are paid the hourly rate determined by the teacher pay model.

There is an opportunity for staff to earn a bus bonus of $30 per ride.

How to Apply

Please fill out our online application which will include uploading a current copy of your resume. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning in mid-January. Final candidates will be subject to a reference check.

Background Check Requirements

All offers of employment to employees 18 or over are contingent on the successful completion of the background checks described below:

• Fingerprinting (FBI) (MD & DC)
• MD Criminal Database Background Check (MD)
• Maryland Child Protective Services Clearance (MD)
• DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR) (DC)
• Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check (DC)
• National Sex Offender Registry (DC)

All offers of employment at Horizons Greater Washington are contingent upon clear results of the above suitability checks. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer and on all employees who are promoted, as deemed necessary.

COVID-19  

Horizons Greater Washington is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards.  As such, we strongly encourage our employees to receive the latest COVID vaccination to minimize the risk of infectious disease in our workplace.

Environmental and Physical Conditions

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of up to 20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The employee must have visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond quickly to critical incidents involving students and act in an emergency situation. Work is performed in a school environment with artificial light and air, with occasional trips off-site to parks, museums, etc.

Horizons Greater Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, homeless status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.