Jabali Academy (JA), an innovative K-8 school opening its doors in fall 2026, is seeking a visionary, authentic, educator, culturally grounded in the African diaspora, to serve as its Founding Kindergarten Teacher. This transformative role represents a unique opportunity to help build an educational environment where young minds develop a strong sense of identity through deep engagement with Pan-African history, culture, and contemporary life. JA's mission is to create a nurturing, academically rigorous learning community where children from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds can see themselves reflected in their education while developing into independent, globally-minded citizens who understand and celebrate their heritage.

In 2015, Dr. Jonathan A. Carroll founded Roots of Knowledge Empowerment Institute (R.O.K.E.I.) as a summer enrichment program to help students combat the Pan-African cultural gaps that they were facing in their schools. Through the success of R.O.K.E.I., it became clear to Dr. Carroll that a Pan-African-based curriculum was needed beyond the boundaries of a summer program. This planted a seed that today has developed into Jabali Academy. The Founding Kindergarten Teacher at JA will work in close partnership with Founder and Head of School, Dr. Carroll, to shape the critical first year of Jabali Academy's program. This educator will play an integral role in bringing to life the school's vision of an expanded education that combines academic excellence with cultural enrichment, helping to establish an environment where school feels like home while maintaining high academic standards. The ideal candidate will share JA's commitment to fostering self-discovery, independence, and a deep understanding of Pan-African perspectives while creating engaging learning experiences that meet each student where they are.

Reporting to the Head of School, the Founding Kindergarten Teacher will help establish Jabali Academy's educational approach and culture while serving in a key administrative capacity on the lower school leadership team. This role demands both expertise in early childhood education and a sophisticated understanding of Pan-African studies that can be translated into meaningful learning experiences for young children. Working collaboratively with school leadership and the founding team*, this founding educator will develop and implement curriculum, help establish enrollment processes, provide input on the selection fits and finishes for the school, and create the warm, structured classroom environment that will set the tone for years to come. The successful candidate will bring not only teaching excellence but also the entrepreneurial spirit and vision necessary to help build a revolutionary educational model from the ground up.

*The founding team will include part-time members in Advancement, Communications, Enrollment Assistant, Facilities, and Security, in addition to the full-time Head of School and Founding Kindergarten Teacher.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Jabali Academy is an entrepreneurial, start-up venture where the Founding Kindergarten Teacher will help shape the pre-launch, launch, and successful growth and development of a concept and program that will have an indelible impact on its students, faculty, and local community. With that in mind, the Founding Kindergarten Teacher will partner with the Head of School to:

• Design an academically challenging and globally- and culturally-minded Kindergarten curriculum including scope and sequence
• In consultation with other academic professionals, begin to develop the scope and sequence for the K-8 academic program
• Continue to manifest, hone, and iterate on the vision of JA as it grows over time from the inaugural Kindergarten class through to the full K-8 enrollment
• Transition JA from the start-up phase to the operational phase
• Enroll the inaugural Kindergarten class with a goal of 15 students
• Grow awareness of the school by sharing and championing its mission and vision
• Build meaningful and authentic relationships within and around the city of Inglewood
• Support the school's path toward WASC accreditation by partnering with the Head of School on developing the necessary policies, documentation, and quality standards required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Teaching

• Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans that engage children in core subjects (literacy, math, science, etc.) while incorporating themes from African and Pan-African culture and history
• Develop cultural enrichment programming that uses stories, activities, and educational materials that celebrate African heritage and foster understanding of Pan-African perspectives
• Establish and maintain a positive, inclusive classroom environment that supports students’ emotional, social, and academic growth
• Be an active partner in supporting the learning of children by providing the scaffolding that ensures a well-run kindergarten program
• Differentiate instruction, lessons, and activities to the intellectual, physical, and social-emotional needs of students as they arise
• Develop and implement a semi-annual student assessment system using portfolios and narrative evaluations to document academic growth, social-emotional development, and learning outcomes
• Maintain regular and transparent communication with parents, guardians, and school staff to foster a supportive educational experience and promote each child’s holistic development
• Stay current on early childhood education practices and Pan-African studies to incorporate relevant methods and ideas into the classroom
• Ensure proper supervision of all students under the school’s care

Administrative

• Help develop and facilitate a holistic admissions program that draws mission-aligned families and yields inquisitive, energetic applicants
• Participate in select advancement and marketing events (ex: annual gala, Private School Village picnic, Diversity Recruiting Fair) as a founding member of the team and a school brand ambassador
• Supervision and evaluation of assistant teachers

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

• An understanding of and willingness to accept the commitment, grit, and passion that starting a school requires
• A deep belief in the mission of the school and a high level of commitment
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit with a growth mindset
• Ability to control the classroom and provide structure while also having fun and imbuing joy into learning
• Ability to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles and varying developmental levels, ensuring that each student is met where there are
• Have excellent communication skills for interacting with young children, parents, colleagues, and the broader community
• Hold the belief that focus should be placed on students becoming independent
• Ability to build trust and relationships
• A strong collaborator, partner, and team player
• Must have vision, voice, and ambition
• Enthusiasm for nurturing young minds and fostering a culturally inclusive environment
• Dedication to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and culturally sensitive classroom
• Capability to clearly explain, starting at the kindergarten level, the purpose of JA and what sets it apart from other schools
• Represent JA authentically

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Pan-African Studies, or a related field (teaching certification preferred)
• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience as a kindergarten teacher, ideally with a demonstrated background in Pan-African studies or experience teaching diverse cultural perspectives
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and age-appropriate teaching practices
• Previous experience setting up and observing playgroups for admissions evaluation
• Knowledgeable in Pan-African history, culture, and contributions and able to translate this into meaningful learning for young children