Senior Lead Teacher

As Senior Lead Teacher, you will lead a classroom of up to 20 children ages three through five and provide instructional coaching and support to the rest of the teaching staff at a Bezos Academy school within our multi-state network of schools in under-resourced communities, offering quality Montessori-inspired preschool at no cost to families. You will plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. You will use child-level assessment and growth data to modify instructional plans to ensure every child is ultimately ready for kindergarten. You will create learning opportunities that support the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development of every child. You will build relationships and communicate regularly with families to support each child's development.

You will bring a deep knowledge of Montessori educational principles and practices, as well as complementary early childhood philosophies and pedagogies. You will coach teachers to create thriving classrooms and reflect on their practice. You will facilitate teacher learning opportunities and provide mentorship to those enrolled in Bezos Academy's Montessori Credential Program. In this role, you will collaborate directly with an Assistant Teacher in your classroom and report directly to the Head of School.

LOCATION

We are actively hiring a Senior Lead Teacher to support our preschool in Deerfield Beach (321 NW 2nd Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441).

Relocation support is available for this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.
• The full salary range for this position is $61,000 - $98,000 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Three or more years of experience as a Lead Teacher/Lead Guide in a Montessori primary classroom (ages 3-6)
• Bachelor's degree OR an additional four years of additional relevant classroom experience in lieu of a degree
• Primary diploma from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
• 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 (please see here for a summary of credentialing criteria)
• Ability and willingness to serve as designated person in charge, responsible for the overall on-site supervision of staff
• Ability to meet all additional training and eligibility requirements of Florida, including clearing background checks, tuberculosis tests, and so on, with required documentation eligibility and training completion submitted through each state's respective child care regulatory agency prior to start of employment
• Experience monitoring and maintaining accurate records on the progress of individual students
• Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely, including ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• Experience working effectively across lines of difference

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of experience as a Montessori primary Lead Teacher, including three or more years post-certification
• Track record of generating positive outcomes from coaching and training educators
• Comfort and confidence with 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 best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion across 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

As the Lead Teacher for your classroom:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences
• Use the Bezos Academy curriculum and current research-based instructional practices to develop integrated units of instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students
• Prepare and maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive Montessori environment with the instructional resources needed to meet the development needs of every child in the classroom
• Create an environment that demonstrates rapport with and respect and kindness for, all students as well as between students
• Use Bezos Academy assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children's work samples, continuums of development, portfolios, etc. to help make instructional decisions for individual students
• Monitor and maintain accurate records on the progress of individual students; use school-approved screening and evaluation tools
• Use relevant, approved technology to support instruction
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and families regarding student progress and student needs
• Establish a positive relationship with families and students, providing regular communication with families about their children
• Maintain teaching skills and participate in professional development activities
• Engage in on-going self-assessment and refinement of practice as well as in collaborative professional growth
• Participate in collegial activities and meetings designed to make the entire school a productive professional learning community
• Assume postures at low levels (e.g. kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor) as needed to communicate effectively with children

As your school's Instructional Coach:

• Observe, model, and coach other teachers to improve their instruction, record-keeping, planning, and other processes
• Facilitate learning and development opportunities for other teachers in formal and informal settings
• Use child-level assessment and growth data to evaluate child progress and to plan professional learning for teachers in your school
• Use child-level assessment and growth data in planning day-to-day instructional coaching
• As needed, serve as the school's Licensing Designee when the Head of School is not in the building
• Generally contribute to the school's leadership and administration, as needed

Please click here for a full job description.

Bezos Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bezos Academy participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee Form I-9 Information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. Bezos Academy only uses E-Verify once a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. If E-Verify cannot confirm that an employee is authorized to work, Bezos Academy will give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so the employee can begin to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken. For more information about your right to work, please see the Notice of Right to Work.