Senior Lead Teacher: Deerfield Beach, FL

Bezos Academy•Deerfield Beach, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Lead Teacher leads a classroom of up to 20 children ages three through five at a Bezos Academy school in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The role provides Montessori-inspired preschool education at no cost to families in an under-resourced community. The Senior Lead Teacher plans and delivers active learning experiences, uses assessment and growth data to tailor instruction, and supports children’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development. The teacher builds relationships and communicates regularly with families, collaborates with an Assistant Teacher, and reports to the Head of School. In addition to classroom leadership, the Senior Lead Teacher coaches and mentors teaching staff, facilitates professional learning, and supports teachers in reflecting on and improving their practice. The position may also serve as the school’s Licensing Designee when the Head of School is not in the building and contribute to school leadership and administration as needed. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position. The salary range is $61,000–$98,000 per year; starting salary varies by qualifications and prior experience. Relocation support is available. The role includes scheduled paid breaks, personal and sick time, paid holidays, and benefits including insurance coverage, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, and an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care.

Requirements

At least three years of experience as a Lead Teacher or Lead Guide in a Montessori primary classroom serving ages three to six.
A bachelor’s degree, or an additional four years of relevant classroom experience in lieu of a degree.
A primary diploma from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute.
A track record of driving strong child outcomes as a teacher.
Strong adult coaching skills and mindsets.
Ability to meet all credentialing criteria for lead early childhood teachers in Florida.
Ability and willingness to serve as the designated person in charge, responsible for overall on-site supervision of staff.
Ability to meet Florida training and eligibility requirements, including background checks and tuberculosis tests, and submit required documentation and training completion through the state child care regulatory agency before employment begins.
Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records of individual students’ progress.
Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and safely care for young children.
Ability to lift a minimum of 40 pounds.
Experience working effectively across lines of difference.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of experience as a Montessori primary Lead Teacher, including at least three years post-certification.
A track record of generating positive outcomes through coaching and training educators.
Comfort and confidence using various child, classroom-efficacy, and adult-learning assessment methods.
Experience working with children and families in low-income areas.
Experience working with children with special needs.
Experience applying diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices in educator development programs and/or teacher training.
Active VPK Instructor Endorsement, previous experience in a VPK program, and/or previous experience with CLASS observations.

Responsibilities

Lead a classroom of up to 20 children ages three through five and collaborate with an Assistant Teacher.
Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences.
Use the Bezos Academy curriculum and research-based instructional practices to develop integrated units that address group and individual student needs.
Prepare and maintain a clean, orderly, attractive Montessori environment with resources that meet children’s developmental needs.
Create a classroom environment grounded in rapport, respect, and kindness among teachers and students.
Use approved assessment tools and strategies, including observations, work samples, developmental continuums, and portfolios, to inform instruction.
Monitor and maintain accurate records of individual student progress and use approved screening and evaluation tools.
Use relevant, approved technology to support instruction.
Communicate student progress and needs to students, colleagues, and families; build positive relationships and communicate regularly with families.
Maintain teaching skills, participate in professional development, and engage in ongoing self-assessment and refinement of practice.
Participate in collaborative professional growth, collegial activities, and meetings that support a productive professional learning community.
Assume low-level postures, such as kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor, as needed to communicate with children.
Observe, model, and coach other teachers to improve instruction, record-keeping, planning, and related processes.
Facilitate formal and informal learning and development opportunities for teachers.
Use child-level assessment and growth data to evaluate student progress and plan teacher professional learning and day-to-day instructional coaching.
Serve as the school’s Licensing Designee when needed if the Head of School is not in the building.
Contribute to school leadership and administration as needed.
Meet Florida credentialing, training, eligibility, background-check, tuberculosis-testing, and documentation requirements before starting employment.
Serve as the designated person in charge, responsible for overall on-site supervision of staff.