Career Center

POSITION STATEMENT
Preschool Head Teacher Leave Replacement

Dates: January/ February 2024 (~5 weeks)

Union Status: Non-Union

OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Preschool-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks a Preschool Head Teacher Leave Replacement within a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, serv†ice learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style.

This short video gives you a glimpse into our contemporary experience.

THE POSITION

Brooklyn Friends School is seeking a Pre-K Head teacher Leave Replacement (Fours Class) for the dates listed above. We are looking for candidates who are deeply passionate about early childhood education and play-based learning. The Preschool is committed to nurturing the gifts of each child. The Preschool ensures a warm, stimulating and emotionally responsive environment where children feel free to explore the world around them. The BFS Preschool program provides a rich child-centered curriculum that supports children’s learning styles and developmental readiness. As they meet increasingly complex challenges and practice social skills, our preschoolers become curious, motivated and competent learners.

This position reports to the Preschool Education Director.

Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:

The Fours Head Teacher will lead a class of fifteen students in partnership with an associate teacher. The Head Teacher is responsible for ongoing assessment of students and communication with families and with the Head of Preschool about children’s growth and progress. In addition, the head teacher is responsible for mentoring the associate teacher.

The candidate must be able to create an exciting learning environment for four-year-olds which promotes the inclusion of others, compassion, fairness, and care for our community, people, animals and the environment. Interest and experience in teaching through expressive arts and exploratory learning is desired.

Additional Requirements:

• A Master’s in Early Childhood or a related field
• Three or more years of teaching experience with young children and families
• Exceptional collaboration, communications, class management, mentoring, and curriculum development skills.
• New York State teacher certification preferred 

Specific Responsibilities Include:

Curriculum development

• Determine age-appropriate guidelines and goals for all areas to be covered. 
• Consider the children/class in relation to age appropriate expectations, the specific group (their backgrounds, abilities and development) and the school’s philosophy and values. Includes curricular areas to be studied, the choice of materials to be used and the actual classroom setup. 

• Adjust curriculum as the school year progresses to be in sync with the developmental changes and growth in the children.

Partnership with Associate Teacher 

• Work together to create a team
• Daily planning of schedule, projects, materials/books/songs to be used that day. 
• Meet regularly to discuss the children and assess how things are working in terms of both the children and the teaching relationship/experience. Use these discussions as opportunities for growth and development. Set appropriate goals with a follow up plan.
• Determine together equitable division of classroom responsibilities.

Work with Children 

• Assess and determine the developmental stages of each child in all areas of development through observation and discussion. Plan a record keeping system to document milestones and important details of the child’s year.
• Plan for the wide range of individual developmental levels in the children.
• Set appropriate limits and guidelines for the children individually and as a group. 
• Written reports and evaluations of the children when required
• Consider and plan for areas that may need to be changed and or restructured to improve the classroom experience. 
• Work with the Head of Preschool and Developmental Specialist to identify and assess the needs of children who may require evaluations.

Work with Families

• Recognize parents as partners in this process. 
• Communicate with parents regularly about what is happening in the classroom with their children email, class newsletters
• Meet with all parents for the scheduled conference days, twice a year. Additional meetings may occur if we feel there is a need, or at the parent’s request.

• Be available to answer questions, respond to emails within a day.

Classroom Responsibilities

• Maintenance and upkeep of materials, furnishings and equipment - cleaning, replacement and rotating as appropriate.

Meetings and other responsibilities outside the classroom

• Faculty Meetings - Preschool and All School
• All School Professional Development Days
• Committee Meetings (optional)

The Head Teacher must demonstrate professionalism at all times. They will work as a member of a team, respect the children in their care, and maintain welcoming and respectful partnership with all BFS families.

Salary range: $66,500 - $81,000

This salary range represents the expected annual salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your education level, experience, and other job-related factors.

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Cover letter addressed to Kristin Brady, Preschool Education Director. Along with punctuating your interest and experience, your cover letter should also address how you feel that your professional journey aligns with our school’s Quaker values and pillars of social justice and civic engagement.
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references
4. Completed online application.

Please email the above attachments (if possible as a single PDF) to hiring@brooklynfriends.org and put Preschool Head Teacher Leave Replacement in the subject line. 

See above.

About Brooklyn Friends School

Brooklyn Friends School (BFS) is a thriving Preschool-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn with a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars of social justice, service learning/civic engagement, and Quakerism, serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style.

Connections working at Brooklyn Friends School