Preschool Lead Teacher

Job Title: Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher

Company: Ivybrook Academy South Scottsdale

Job Overview

Ivybrook Academy is seeking passionate, experienced, collaborative, and reflective educators who believe young children are capable, curious, and full of potential.

Our educators do more than deliver lessons. They observe, listen, document, ask meaningful questions, and thoughtfully design experiences based on children’s interests, developmental needs, and emerging ideas. Ivybrook's approach blends principles of Reggio Emilia and Montessori education within a warm, nurturing, intentionally designed preschool environment.

We are looking for educators who enjoy working as part of a team, value strong relationships with children and families, and are excited to continually grow in their practice. A degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field is strongly preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that reflect Ivybrook Academy’s philosophy and curriculum.
• Create a warm, nurturing classroom where children feel safe, respected, valued, and excited to learn.
• Use observation, documentation, assessment, and children’s interests to guide curriculum planning and determine meaningful next steps for learning.
• Facilitate child-led inquiry, small-group exploration, hands-on learning, and purposeful play.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through modeling, reflective listening, conflict resolution, and respectful communication.
• Recognize and support individual learning styles, strengths, developmental levels, and multiple intelligences.
• Maintain student portfolios and documentation that demonstrate each child’s learning, development, and growth throughout the year.
• Communicate regularly with families through newsletters, digital communication platforms, email, classroom documentation, and personal conversations.
• Develop strong, positive partnerships with families and collaborate with them to support each child.
• Work closely with fellow educators and school leadership to reflect on documentation, evaluate learning experiences, and plan next steps for classroom investigations.
• Observe and monitor student progress and communicate developmental observations with families and school leadership.
• Maintain a beautiful, organized, sanitary, and engaging classroom and outdoor learning environment.
• Ensure the health, safety, supervision, and well-being of all students at all times.
• Participate in staff meetings, curriculum planning meetings, professional development opportunities, school events, and family events.
• Prepare appropriate plans and information for substitute teachers when absent.
• Communicate promptly with school leadership regarding absences, classroom needs, student concerns, or other important matters.
• Assist with school-wide activities and contribute positively to the broader Ivybrook Academy community.
• Develop and maintain a professional growth plan and demonstrate a commitment to continued learning and reflective practice.
• Uphold Ivybrook Academy policies as well as applicable state licensing requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field preferred
• Previous experience working with young children in a preschool, early childhood, or elementary educational setting
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice
• Experience with or interest in Reggio Emilia, Montessori, inquiry-based, project-based, or child-centered learning
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
• Ability to observe children closely and translate observations into meaningful curriculum experiences
• Flexible, collaborative, dependable, and receptive to feedback
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to adapt instruction and environments to meet varying developmental and learning needs
• Commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful, calm, and engaging classroom community
• Genuine passion for early childhood education and helping young children develop a lifelong love of learning

At Ivybrook, we value educators who are curious alongside their students. We are looking for teachers who see children as capable learners, value collaboration over isolation, and find joy in creating meaningful experiences that allow children to investigate, create, question, connect, and grow.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35,000 - $55,000