Head Teacher

The Educational Alliance Inc.•New York, NY

5d•$23 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Teacher works at the 14th Street Y, a Jewish community center in Downtown Manhattan, within a preschool teaching team inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. The preschool’s educational philosophy emphasizes learning through inquiry, exploration, and play, supported by strong relationships and a sense of belonging. The Head Teacher creates a responsive, safe, joyful, and nurturing learning environment; collaborates with co-teachers to develop an emergent curriculum based on children’s interests and development; documents children’s learning; and facilitates communication and collaboration with families. The position also includes leading and supporting the teaching team, mentoring Assistant Teachers, and contributing to the wider preschool community. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education.
New York State N-6 or PreK-6 certification, or a study plan.
Excellent written communication skills, including crafting narrative observations and assessments, mini-stories, and written reflections, and communicating regularly with families and colleagues by email.
Ability to use Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and other online learning platforms as required.
Strong oral communication skills with children, families, and colleagues.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 3 years of professional teaching experience in an early childhood setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Co-construct curriculum based on children’s interests, questions, and development; document and reflect on observations and use them for planning.
Lead and participate in weekly planning meetings with the teaching team, and meet the needs of all children.
Plan and create a classroom environment that supports inquiry, exploration, learning, and respect.
Nurture children’s home languages through curated books, materials, and the physical environment; create a warm, inclusive setting where children and families feel welcome.
Organize, clean, and maintain the classroom and materials so they are inviting and accessible to children.
Create visual evidence of classroom narratives and curriculum, and adhere to Department of Health regulations under Article 47.
Develop schedules and processes so the teaching team completes work in a timely fashion; lead regular documentation, reflection, and planning meetings.
Provide feedback, coaching, and support to Assistant Teachers; mentor Assistant Teachers and support broader preschool needs, including other classrooms and administration as needed.
Speak and listen to children respectfully and mindfully; supervise the group while providing individual attention.
Manage classroom procedures, including transitions, routines, and small groups; engage students in exploration and ongoing project work; scaffold children through conflict and problem solving.
Build respectful, reciprocal relationships with families and communicate consistently with them.
Document children’s learning, development, and progress through mini-stories, written narratives, reflections, and observations; maintain a documentation portfolio for each child and complete assessment checkpoints throughout the year.
Maintain collaborative and professional relationships with colleagues and participate in professional development meetings.
Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, and sound decision-making; remain reflective, ask questions, and be willing to take risks and make mistakes.
Arrive and depart according to the daily schedule unless otherwise approved by the Director.