Employment - Sayre School
Employment
Sayre School embraces and respects the diversity of backgrounds, outlooks, and talents individuals bring to its community.  We welcome candidates celebrating the diversity of the world in our educational program, admission policies, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.
Careers
Sayre School seeks employees eager to join an educational community that values empowering students in their intellectual, social and emotional development.
We offer the opportunity to teach the way you always wanted to teach. You’ll find small classes, an administration that encourages creativity and collaboration, and interesting colleagues devoted to their profession. Our joyful, inquisitive, and self-confident students approach their school experience with curiosity, passion, and engagement. We view all of our employees as role models and mentors in guiding our students through their educational journey.
I have told everyone I meet: Sayre will be my last teaching job. I love it here. I understand why teachers stay at Sayre for 20+ years. - Sayre Teacher
Lower School Music Teacher
Elementary Educator
Upper School Part Time Math Teacher
Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach
Preschool Substitute Teacher
Extended Day Staff
K-12 Substitute Teacher
Position:
Full-Time Lower School Music Teacher (PreK-4th Grade)
Start Date:
August 2026
Position Overview
A unique opportunity to join a dynamic faculty in an independent school. We are seeking a qualified music teacher who would thrive not only in leading our formal music instruction but also in supporting musical integration into rich project work, play, and grade-level performances. This role also includes leading our two youth chorus groups, Quarter Notes and Eighth Notes. Like all independent school teaching positions, this allows for creativity and flexibility. We value process over product and believe the arts are a critical component that should be woven through everything we do. Any successful candidate must enjoy working closely with others and be deeply invested in the development of young students.
Key Responsibilities
Teach music to students in Preschool through 4th grade
Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the National Standards for the Arts
Support musical integration into grade-level projects and performances
Collaborate with teachers and colleagues to create interdisciplinary learning experiences
Plan and lead grade-level performances throughout the year
Communicate effectively with families about student progress and program goals
Lead after-school chorus groups
Other duties as assigned by a supervisor
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Music Education (BME)
Piano proficiency
Three or more years of experience teaching elementary/preschool music
Training in methodologies of music instruction (Orff-Schulwerk preferred) Strong communication skills
Collaborative mindset and desire to work as part of an energetic team
Preferred Qualifications
A knowledge of and experience in musical theater and performance
Experience in vocal technique
Knowledge of Responsive Classroom
To Apply
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and a list of three references to:
Luanne Stiles
Assistant to the Head of Lower School
lstiles@sayreschool.org
Sayre Lower School seeks a passionate educator to join our elementary team beginning in August 2026.  We desire an individual with the knowledge and skill to guide an engaging, student-centered curriculum that includes strong, conceptually driven math, reading, language arts, and social studies instruction.  We follow a multi-year aligned curriculum to provide a cohesive primary education for all students while also giving space for autonomy and personal creativity. Experience with project work is a plus! Ideal candidates will be collaborative team players who relish the opportunity to weave rich, contextual, integrated curriculum and work closely with colleagues across disciplines and age groups.  We seek to hire an individual with a strong understanding of child development, knowledge of child-directed learning approaches, expertise and experience in all areas of the elementary curriculum, and a healthy dose of humor and kindness.
Successful candidates will:
Have strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and good organization.
Have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education; Master’s degree preferred.
Have experience teaching at the Lower School level; at least 3 years of experience is preferred.
Demonstrate an innovative and energetic approach to teaching that is compatible with the school’s philosophy and demonstrates knowledge of differentiated instruction and inquiry-based learning.
A commitment to professional growth and collaboration with the broader Lower School faculty.
Possess a genuine love for working with children in these critically important and formative elementary years.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information. All material should be sent electronically to Luanne Stiles, Assistant to the Head of Lower School, at
lstiles@sayreschool.org
Sayre School is seeking a highly motivated and qualified teacher who desires  a professional and fun working environment dedicated to student growth, progress, and achievement. In this position, we welcome applications from candidates who embrace the challenges and joys of teaching upper school students, who have a passion for their subject, and who want to become an active member of the school community. We aim to hire educators who add to our collective excellence through their individual talents, perspectives, and personality. Please see our
Upper School Teacher Profile
belowto learn more about who we aspire to be.
Job responsibilities and opportunities include:
Teaching a two sections of math (courses to be determined based on candidate’s expertise and the department’s needs)
Preparing students for the next grade level and level of Math
Working collaboratively within the department and the Upper School as a whole
Interested applicants are asked to email a resume, cover letter, a brief teaching philosophy, and the names of at least three references to the Upper School Director, Dr. Clint Calzini (
ccalzini@sayreschool.org
) and Math Department Chair, Tim Bator (
tbator@sayreschool.org
). Please include your last name and “Math at Sayre”  in the subject line.
Sayre Upper School Teacher Profile
Professional Qualifications
BA or MA in subject matter / education
3-5 years teaching experience
Demonstrated success in independent / public school or higher education
Evidence of continued professional development
Professional Qualities
Organized, planner, tech savvy
Team player, collaborator, communicator
Efficacy and agency to support
all
students
Student engagement in the classroom and beyond
Personal Dispositions
Sense of humor, positive energy, optimism
Patient, emotional intelligence, empathic
Self-reflective, intrinsically motivated, success oriented
Flexibility, resilience, resourcefulness
Bonus Attributes
Licensure, National Board Certification, or other certification / degree
Experience and/or willingness to engage in regional professional association via workshops, conference presentations, etc.
Experience and/or willingness to take on leadership roles
Sayre School, an independent coeducational school in Lexington, Kentucky, is seeking a Head Coach for the Varsity Boys Soccer Program. The Head Coach will provide leadership for the entire boys soccer program and play a key role in developing student-athletes within a competitive and mission-driven independent school environment.
The Head Coach is responsible for directing the varsity program while also supporting the development and alignment of the middle school and junior varsity levels. This position requires strong leadership, program development, and a commitment to fostering both athletic and personal growth among student-athletes.
Preparations for the fall season include off-season planning, scheduling, and winter training opportunities. Optional open-field sessions typically begin in June, with official preseason practices starting in mid-July and the season concluding in early November.
Essential Responsibilities
The Head Boys Soccer Coach will join an athletic department that supports over 20 varsity sports programs, many of which include junior varsity and middle school teams. Depending on participation numbers, the boys soccer program may include varsity, junior varsity, and/or middle school teams.
Primary responsibilities include:
Serve as Head Coach of the Varsity Boys Soccer Team
Provide leadership, oversight, and alignment for the entire boys soccer program, including junior varsity and middle school levels
Develop and implement a long-term vision and developmental curriculum for the program
Supervise and instruct student-athletes during practices, games, and team activities
Recruit, mentor, and evaluate assistant and sub-varsity coaches
Coordinate and manage program scheduling, equipment, and team needs
Maintain consistent and positive communication with student-athletes, parents, and athletic department staff
Attend required athletic department and school meetings
Promote multi-sport participation and collaboration across Sayre’s athletic programs
Support the academic success and personal development of student-athletes
Collaborate with the Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach to strengthen the overall soccer culture at Sayre
Ensure compliance with all Sayre School, KHSAA, and athletic department policies and procedure
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will possess:
Significant coaching experience at the high school, club, or collegiate level
A strong commitment to the mission and values of independent school education
The ability to develop and lead a comprehensive soccer program
Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills
The ability to work collaboratively within a team-oriented athletic department
Coaching certifications such as US Soccer or United Soccer Coaches licenses are preferred but not required.
Candidates must complete a background check and possess (or obtain prior to working with students):
CPR/AED certification
Concussion awareness training
All required KHSAA safety courses and rules clinics
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Richard Little at
rlittle@sayreschool.org
Sayre Lower School is currently accepting resumes from qualified individuals who are interested in substitute teaching in preschool. We are seeking kind, responsible individuals who enjoy working with preschool aged children. Please submit a resume and cover letter to
lstiles@sayreschool.org
We are hiring after-school teachers for our Extended Day program. Applicants must be 18 years or older, pass all background checks, and complete all required training. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 2:30 - 5:45; Tuesday, 1:30 - 5:45. If interested, please email Andy Fitch, Extended Day Director, at
afitch@sayreschool.org
Sayre School is currently accepting applications for kindergarten through grade twelve substitute teachers. Sayre’s mission focuses on fostering academic excellence, embracing challenge, and cultivating integrity. We meet the needs of the whole child in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional, and aesthetic development.
The successful candidate holds a Bachelor’s Degree, a passion for teaching, and an active curiosity about kids and their success. Openness to all forms of human diversity, flexibility and a sense of humor are key. This is a wonderful independent school and a great place to work.
Sayre School is committed to equity and justice, and aspires to be a community in which every member feels engaged, heard, and valued. Appreciating the broad spectrum of human diversity, we embrace the contributions of all members of our community as we foster a culture of respect. We believe diversity inspires personal and academic growth. Sharing perspectives and experiences beyond our own boundaries through exploration, introspection, and civil discourse is integral to our mission of creating an inclusive learning environment.
Students in our classes are engaged in active learning. They develop critical thinking skills, the ability to collaborate, and a love of learning. We emphasize the development of the whole child. As a faculty, we enjoy each other and a collegial working environment.
Applicants are asked to submit a resume, cover letter, and the names of at least two references to the appropriate Administrative Assistant below:
For the Lower School :
Luanne Stiles
For the Middle School:
risha Lauritzen
For the Upper School:
Ros
ie Berryman
**Please include the words “Substitute Teacher” in the subject line.
Sayre School actively seeks qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and talents who will make a positive contribution to school life. Sayre School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, uniform service member status, religion, handicap or disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all federal, state, or local law. This applies to
its educational policies, employment policies, admissions policies, financial-aid policies, athletics, and other after-school programs.
This was my first year at Sayre. Out of my 18 years in the classroom, this was far and away one of the best,  if not THE best. Sayre does education the way education should be done, and I am thrilled and privileged to be a part of it! - Sayre Teacher
Our campus is nestled in Lexington’s historic district which is at the center of a vibrant urban core that is attracting businesses and young families to live and work in the area. Sayre School is walking distance to the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University as well as a rich array of galleries, theatres and restaurants. Our campus features a unique blend of original historic structures, green space, and award-winning contemporary architecture.
VisitLex.com
Planning to move to the Horse Capital of the World? What are your interests? Horses? History? Outdoor activities? Arts and culture? Bourbon? Lexington is Kentucky's showplace and the heart of the Bluegrass Region.   Read more about Lexington at
VisitLex.com.
Travel and Leisure
The 'Horse Capital of the World' Is an Underrated American City With Beautiful Nature Trails, Craft Beer and Bourbon, and a New Luxury Hotel
- Lexington, Kentucky is in the heart of the “Bluegrass Region,” named for the grass that gave the state its nickname — and it actually does look blue at certain times. The city claims the well-deserved title of the "
Horse Capital of the World
,” with 450 horse farms, Kentucky Horse Park, and Keeneland Racecourse. Then there’s bourbon —
Lexington
boasts more than 15 nearby distilleries and the evolving Distillery District. By Patricia Dohert,
August 25, 2023
New York Times
For years, Downtown Lexington was an afterthought to everything around it — two universities, a ring of homey residential neighborhoods and, in the rolling bluegrass hills surrounding the city, world-class horse farms. Basketball fans would go into town for University of Kentucky home games, and horse owners would gather at the few nice restaurants when the big horse sales in the area were underway. But otherwise, downtown was a stodgy precinct of banks, law offices and not much else.  By Jack Healy and Campbell Robertson,
Meet Me Downtown
, October 2022
That changed in the 2010’s. Years of effort by civic boosters dovetailed with a nationwide rediscovery of urban living, and suddenly downtown Lexington was blooming. New bars, restaurants and coffeehouses proliferated; old bank buildings were repurposed into boutique hotels; old distilleries started making bourbon again; and developers put up glassy high-rises. There were plans for a $300 million renovation of the city’s convention center and basketball arena.
Beyond the track, much is changing in Lexington, the capital of American horse country and the 15-county Bluegrass Region. New locavore restaurants and whiskey distillery revivals add post-race appeal, as do thoroughbred farms themselves.
"In Lexington, Selfies With American Pharoah, Then ‘Bourbon and Branch’"
By Elaine Glusac,
Oct. 10, 2018
The Washington Post
The city includes many of the staples of the new American South: the artisanal goods (in particular, ice cream), the mixture of boutiques and newly installed high-end shopping, the intense homegrown pride, the hipster bars and outdoor music festivals. Its pleasures, though, stretch far beyond the beltway that encircles the city.
"Lexington: The bucolic Kentucky city is fiercely proud of its omnipresent horses and bourbon, but modernity is creeping in."
By Travis M. Andrews Oct. 17, 2018