Pay $50,000 – 60,000 / full year of 12 months (equivalent to $24-29/hour)
Pay is higher for candidates with more qualifications / experience.
Benefits
Health insurance · Paid time off (PTO) · Paid federal holidays ·
Additional paid time off in school breaks unless there is professional development training.
Discounted childcare · CDA tuition paid by the school · Referral bonus.
Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:15 PM, occasional overtime at equivalent hourly rate
Type
Full-time, in person
Student age
Toddler 18m – 30m or Mixed-age preschool classroom 2.5 – 5 years
Start Date
Negotiable, latest October 1, 2026
Apply
Please send CVs to: hiring@thelibertyschooljc.com
(with "Head Teacher" in the subject line)
QUALIFICATIONS
Education — meeting ONE of these requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, Health Care, Nursing, or any other field related to Child Growth and Development;
- OR Teaching Certification from the Department of Education in Elementary Education, Nursery School, Preschool through Third Grade (P-3), or Teacher of the Handicapped;
- OR Master's Degree in Education or in fields related to Education, Child Growth and Development;
- OR Montessori education equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree;
- OR Bachelor's Degree in other fields, plus 6+ college credits and 3+ years of experience related to Early Childhood Education, or Education, or Child Growth and Development;
- OR Master's Degree in other fields, plus 9+ college credits related to Early Childhood Education, or Education, or Child Growth and Development.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years in a childcare center or preschool with toddler or preschool age groups (1.5–5 years old), including at least 1 year as a Lead Teacher or Head Teacher.
- Prior Reggio Emilia experience is welcome but not required. We value educators who are curious, reflective and interested in child-led, inquiry-based learning.
Basic skills:
- Communication skills to speak and write to parents professionally
- Basic IT skills (Google Drive/Docs, Microsoft Office)
Strongly preferred, not required at hiring:
- College credits in early childhood education or child development — either part of a degree or additional credits beyond the degree
- Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate
Required after hiring:
- Obtaining the Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate within 2 years — cost paid by the school
Compliance:
- Candidate must pass CARI, CHRI, health checks as required by NJ State before being hired
ABOUT THE LIBERTY SCHOOL
The Liberty School is a Reggio Emilia preschool in Downtown Jersey City serving young children in a newly built, beautiful, and thoughtfully designed learning environment.
We view children as capable, curious, and creative learners. Our teachers observe children closely, build curriculum around their questions and interests, and create meaningful opportunities for exploration through art, nature, sensory experiences, language, movement, collaboration, and play.
Our classrooms incorporate natural light, open-ended materials, child-led exploration, learning documentation, and carefully prepared spaces designed to feel welcoming and engaging. The school serves children from approximately 18 months through five years old.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Liberty School is seeking an experienced and capable Head Teacher to lead a toddler or preschool classroom.
The Head Teacher is responsible for creating a warm, safe, organized, and intellectually engaging classroom while providing leadership to other classroom staff. The successful candidate will combine genuine care for young children with sound judgment, dependable classroom management, clear communication, and a commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
What You Will Bring to the Classroom
You will lead our mixed-age classroom of children aged 18 months to 2.5 years or from 2.5 to 5 years, working alongside assistant teachers.
Teaching
- Observe children's interests and build curriculum and provocations from what you see
- Plan across art, sensory, literacy, math, science, music, and movement
- Document learning through photos, children's words, and displayed work
- Support social-emotional growth, self-help skills, and kindergarten readiness
Leading
- Direct, mentor, and give feedback to assistant teachers
- Set the tone and the routines of the classroom
- Keep the environment prepared, beautiful, and fully stocked
Communicating with families
- Daily communication at drop-off and pickup, plus written updates
- Lead parent-teacher conferences and share developmental observations
Operations
- Attendance, allergy and dietary records, incident reports, health and safety routines
- Maintain compliance with NJ childcare licensing requirements
Growth
- Participate in coaching, reflection, and professional development
The Person We Hope to Meet
You may be a strong fit for this position if you are:
- Warm and responsive with young children.
- Confidence leading a classroom and supporting other teachers.
- Curious about how children think and learn.
- Organized, dependable, and attentive to detail.
- Able to communicate thoughtfully with families and colleagues.
- Comfortable combining creativity with consistent classroom systems.
- Open to reflection, feedback, and continued professional growth.