POSITION STATEMENT
Early Childhood Head Teacher

Start Date: August 2025

OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Early Childhood - 12th grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks a Early Childhood Head Teacher  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 identity as a Quaker school and pillars of social justice, social impact, and wholeness, 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. Brooklyn Friends School does not discriminate based on these characteristics or any characteristic prohibited by law and provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants. If you need an accommodation related to any part of the hiring process, please send an email to hiring@brooklynfriends.org.

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

THE POSITION

The BFS Early Childhood program provides a rich, child-centered curriculum that supports children’s learning styles and developmental readiness.  Our program is committed to nurturing the gifts of each child and providing a warm, stimulating, and emotionally responsive environment where children feel free to explore the world around them.  Reporting to the Head of Early Childhood & Lower School, the Early Childhood Head Teacher collaborates with grade level colleagues, specialist teachers, administration, and an Associate Teacher to plan, create, and implement curriculum.  They are responsible for ongoing assessment, active and open communication with families about children’s progress, and communication and collaboration among their Early Childhood colleagues.  Applicants should have experience working in play-based Early Childhood classrooms; experience building and implementing an emergent curriculum; and experience crafting multi-disciplinary play experiences for young children.  Demonstration of strong classroom management skills, an investment in continued professional growth, and a commitment to promoting a diverse community are expected.  All Early Childhood teachers are expected to be active community members and lifelong learners engaged in the support and care of the full school community.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

This position reports to the Head of Early Childhood & Lower School.

• Lead a play-based Early Childhood classroom in partnership with an Associate Teacher
• Ensure the support of all students’ academic and social/emotional development
• Collaborate with colleagues to plan, create, and implement curriculum
• Communicate regularly with families with regard to all aspects of classroom life and child development
• Be responsible for ongoing student assessment
• Share supervisory duties and general support and care of the school community  
• Perform necessary routine tasks and daily maintenance of the classroom
• Serves as an active community member that is highly collaborative and partners well with teachers, families, administration, and students 

Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:

• Masters’ Degree in Early Childhood Education (or related field)
• NYS Teacher Certification (preferred)

• 3-5 years teaching experience in a Early Childhood setting (preferred) 
• Has experience building and implementing emergent curriculum in a play-based setting
• Is comfortable and experience working with families
• Has strong classroom management skills 
• Is invested in continued professional growth 
• Demonstrates strong communication skills (oral and written)
• Approaches work with flexibility, patience, grace, connection, and a willingness to learn 
• Demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion
• Brings a passion and desire to create a joyful learning environment

Physical Requirements of the Job: 

• Must be able to work in an office environment including prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
• Must be able to stand, bend over, twist and reach to access file cabinets, bookshelves and navigate office and workstation spaces.
• Must be able to ambulate through a classroom setting, including walking up stairs.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40lbs in the case of emergency.

Union Status: Union 

Salary Range:  $71,601 - $97,540

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.

• Benefits: Colleagues may be eligible to participate in employment benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. Benefits are subject to change at any time, and are subject to applicable plan documents.

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Cover letter addressed to Kristin Brady, Head of Early Childhood and Lower School. 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, social impact, and wholeness. 
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (with emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you). References will not be contacted without candidate knowledge and consent.
4. Completed online application.

Please email the above attachments as a single PDF to hiring@brooklynfriends.org and kbrady@brooklynfriends.org  and put Early Childhood Head Teacher in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted after materials have been reviewed. 

Brooklyn Friends School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

We appreciate your interest in employment at Brooklyn Friends School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination.

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