Teaching Director (Lead Preschool Teacher & Education Director)

Title: Teaching Education Director (Lead Preschool Teacher & Education Director)

Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island City, Queens

Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000 /year

Reports to: Head of School

Schedule: Year-round, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 

About us:

New York Preschool & Kids Club is an early childhood education and enrichment platform serving modern New York families through high-quality preschool education, enrichment programming, extended day, and summer camp experiences for children ages 2-6 years old. With multiple schools across NYC and private-equity backing, NYPKC is building a best-in-class operating platform, delivering on the full family experience for children and parents.

About the Role

The Teaching Education Director (Lead Preschool Teacher & Education Director) is a hybrid leadership role for an experienced early childhood educator who serves as both a lead classroom teacher and instructional leader within the school community.

In this role, you will lead a preschool classroom serving 2s, 3s, or 4s while also supporting overall program quality across the school through teacher coaching, classroom observations, onboarding support, and educational leadership. You will model strong teaching practices, help maintain consistent classroom quality, and partner closely with the Head of School to support teachers, families, and daily school operations.

The Teaching Education Director plays an important role in building a strong teaching culture where educators feel supported, classrooms run smoothly, and children receive a high-quality early learning experience every day.

How This Role Fits Into the Organization

The Teaching Education Director (Lead Preschool Teacher & Education Director) reports to the Head of School and is responsible for program quality and teaching excellence within the school.

This role partners closely with:

• Head of School (site leadership, enrollment, operations)
• Teaching team (coaching, support, development)
• Education leadership (curriculum alignment, standards)

This role plays a critical part in ensuring NYPKC delivers a consistent, high-quality educational experience across all classrooms.

What You’ll Do

Lead Teacher (Primary Responsibility)

• Serve as the lead teacher in a preschool classroom
• Deliver high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction
• Create a warm, engaging, and well-managed classroom environment
• Build strong relationships with children and families

Program Quality & Curriculum Implementation

• Ensure fidelity to NYPKC curriculum and educational approach
• Maintain strong classroom environments aligned to standards
• Support lesson planning, classroom setup, and instructional quality
• Ensure consistency across all preschool classrooms

Teacher Coaching & Development

• Support and coach teachers through observation and feedback
• Model strong teaching practices in your own classroom
• Provide guidance on classroom management, instruction, and engagement
• Help onboard and support new teachers

Classroom & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure classrooms meet all licensing and safety requirements
• Support adherence to DOH/DOE standards where applicable
• Maintain organized, compliant classroom environments
• Partner with leadership on inspections and readiness

Family Experience

• Support strong communication with families
• Help ensure a positive, consistent classroom and school experience
• Address classroom-level questions or concerns in partnership with Head of School

Partnership with Head of School

• Collaborate closely on:
  • staffing and classroom coverage
  • program quality and improvements
  • parent experience and communication
• Support alignment between education quality and overall school performance

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be all responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

 What We’re Looking For

• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in ECE or a related field required
• Certification: A NYS Early Childhood Initial or Permanent Certification (B-2 or 1-6) required
• Experience: 3-5+ years of lead teaching experience in Pre-K (2-4 year olds) or Kindergarten.
• Leadership: At least 1 year of leadership experience preferred 
• Special Edge: Be a passionate teacher and lifelong learner!

Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.

What Success Looks Like

• You have a "model classroom” where Creative Curriculum or Tools of the Mind Curriculum is executed so effectively that students consistently are meeting developmental benchmarks and enjoying a love of learning.
• Teaching staff shows consistent instructional quality, and new hires feel supported and prepared to step into their roles after training is complete.
• The school location runs smoothly, and your leadership ensures that daily operations, safety protocols, and DOH requirements are met with consistency and organization.
• Parent satisfaction and student retention are high, driven by both your instructional ability and your capacity to ensure families feel connected to what is happening in the classroom.
• You have cultivated a high-performance, safe, and supported environment amongst students and staff where staff turnover is low, teacher engagement is high, and the school is recognized as a premier NYC location for early childhood programs.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy 15 PTO days to start, 7 sick days, paid company holidays, and a full week off during winter break, because supporting educators starts with supporting balance.
• Career Investment: Tuition Reimbursement Program up to $5,000 annually to help you reach your next educational goal.
• Comprehensive Care: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, plus a 401(k) Plan with Company Contribution
• The Extras: Commuter programs, discounted fitness memberships, and more!

Physical Demands: The role involves standing, walking, sitting, constant movement, and occasional climbing. The ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds is required. Specific sensory abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjustment of focus.

Inclusivity and Diversity: NY Preschool & Kids Club is committed to an inclusive and diverse community. We celebrate differences, leading with kindness and respect. We are an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting discrimination based on various factors.

Accommodations:The NY Preschool & Kids Club complies with ADA requirements. If you need accommodation in completing the application, please contact [email protected].