Pre-Kindergarten Head Teacher leave replacement-Fieldston Lower

Ethical Culture Fieldston School•New York, NY

1d•$75,261 - $184,830•Onsite

About The Position

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Fieldston Lower, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 270 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 60 faculty members. What is essential about working at our school? The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. We are currently seeking a full time Pre-Kindergarten Head Teacher leave replacement for the 26/27 school year. This person is committed and experienced with progressive pedagogy in a PreK setting. They will foster a student-centered learning environment, emphasizing experiential and collaborative approaches. This is a one year position beginning September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. This is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency) position and the hiring range for this role will be $75,261- $184,830. Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree
At least 5 years of previous experience teaching elementary age children
PreK and/or Kindergarten preferred
In depth knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices along with the of developmentally appropriate assessment strategies including use of observations and recordings to design individual learning goals
Knowledge in a variety of literacy strategies and approaches to math instruction for Pre-K students
Experience in developing culturally relevant social studies curricula with a hands-on, developmentally appropriate focus
A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning
The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community
A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds
Strong verbal, written and oral communication skills and the ability to confidently discuss Pre-Kindergarten social, emotional and academic development
A commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website
A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback
Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and collaboration
The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks
A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies ( i.e. , Google Workspace tools)
Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance
The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is strong preferred
PreK and/or Kindergarten preferred

Responsibilities

Designing and planning daily lessons consistent with the the scope and sequence of the Pre-Kindergarten curriculum
Assessing and monitoring individual student growth and promoting social emotional development
Implementing behavior management strategies that promote pre-academic and social and emotional success
Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students
Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations
Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth
Sharing weekly updates with families related to curricular initiatives and student growth
Maintaining accurate student record keeping of grades and attendance
Preparing for and communicating student performance and growth with parents and or guardians at scheduled conferences
Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary
Ability to confidently address behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment
Successfully mentoring an associate teacher(s)
Participating in weekly grade-level and team meetings
Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards
Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned