Job Summary

The Preschool Lead Teacher will instruct a full-day preschool program designed for three-year-olds, focusing on a holistic curriculum that includes foundational academic skills, social-emotional development, and creative exploration. This role requires establishing a nurturing, affirming classroom culture that embodies the School’s Quaker values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Other responsibilities include writing student reports, collaborating with families/caregivers and colleagues, attending meetings, and fulfilling additional faculty duties such as recess and lunch supervision.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in instructional practices and in cultivating meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues. They will employ innovative and developmentally appropriate practices to inspire creativity, curiosity, and growth in young learners. A successful candidate will also have excellent pedagogical skills, organizational abilities, and a passion for fostering a love of learning in preschool-aged children.

Employee Classification

Exempt

Position Type/Work Hours

Full Time

Reports to

Associate Head of School

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Core Duties/Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in teaching practices and in building relationships with students and community members.
• Plan and deliver a developmentally appropriate and engaging curriculum that emphasizes play-based learning, early literacy, foundational math concepts, science exploration, social-emotional development, and creative arts.
• Support students’ social and emotional growth through structured lessons, daily routines, and meaningful interactions aligned with Quaker values.
• Attend meetings, proctor recess, and lunch duties according to a rotational schedule, and write thoughtful, detailed student progress reports.
• Maintain a growth mindset and actively participate in faculty professional development and supervision, including observations and feedback conversations, with support from the Associate Head of School.
• Regularly review and update curriculum maps in partnership with the Associate Head of School and other faculty.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students at all times.
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Head of School, such as chaperoning school events.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Google Suite or similar tools for lesson planning and communication.
• A comprehensive understanding of early childhood education and a demonstrated willingness to explore and embrace new pedagogical practices and trends.
• Passion for teaching preschool-aged children, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Education and Experience

• Prior experience teaching preschool or early childhood education is strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field is required. Advanced degrees are preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience teaching at the early childhood level, ideally in an independent or Quaker school setting.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Move equipment or classroom materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience.

About Greene Street Friends School

Founded in 1855, Greene Street Friends School has operated continuously in central Germantown section of Philadelphia. The school’s curriculum emphasizes Quaker values, academic strength, and cultural competence. Greene Street graduates attend the top private and public magnet high schools, the largest percentage attending Central High School. Since the mid-1960’s the school has implemented a mission-based business model that prioritizes financial accessibility, with an enrollment of 45% - 55% students of color. Over the past twenty years, the school has doubled both in enrollment and campus size. Current enrollment is 320 students on a campus of three acres. The annual budget is $5M, no debt.

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