Head Teacher/Director of Education

Head Teacher/Director of Education – Early Childhood Education

The Goddard School of Parsippany – Parsippany, NJ

The Goddard School of Parsippany is seeking a qualified and passionate Head Teacher to lead our classrooms and ensure the highest quality of care and education for young children. This is a leadership teaching role that requires meeting New Jersey Office of Licensing requirements for a Head Teacher.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee curriculum that aligns with Goddard’s philosophy and NJ state standards.
• Ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment.
• Supervise and mentor assistant teachers and classroom staff.
• Conduct child observations and assessments to support developmental growth.
• Maintain compliance with all NJ licensing standards, including curriculum, health, and safety requirements.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with families and staff.
• Curriculum Development: Plan, develop, and continuously improve the school's curriculum, ensuring that it meets state standards and is designed to best prepare students, particularly in early education programs like kindergarten. Oversee the Wonder of Learning Hallway setup and provide guidance on curriculum implementation. Manage literature resources for classrooms and ensure daily care report using Kaymbu are performed. Lead family engagement initiatives through Kaymbu, including photo and content approval.
• Lesson Planning & Instructional Support: Collaborate with teachers to create lesson plans and instructional materials that align with curriculum goals and ensure that students are meeting learning benchmarks.
• Teacher Training & Professional Development Organize and ensure that all required trainings are current and up to date. Organize meetings to ensure teachers receive ongoing support and development. Develop plans for continued professional development and mentor new teachers to enhance their teaching practices.
• Book & Resource Selection/ Organization: Evaluate and recommend books, digital resources, and instructional materials, ensuring they align with curriculum objectives and standards.
• Assessment & Evaluation Programs: Develop and implement assessment programs to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum, including student progress and overall program success.
• Classroom Observation & Teacher Support: Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable feedback to teachers to help improve instructional practices. Family Experience & Engagement: Oversee initiatives to create a positive and inclusive family experience, including managing family communications through social media posts, Kaymbu, constant contact and other channels. Manage new family tours and lead faculty orientation, ensuring smooth transitions for both staff and families.
• Website & Social Media: Manage the school's website, updating the calendar, staff photos, bios, and curriculum information regularly to keep the community informed.
• Classroom & Faculty Support: Ensure that classrooms are properly stocked with necessary supplies, including paper products and cleaning materials. Manage the supply re-order list and support teachers with classroom coverage when necessary.
• Special Events & Faculty Meetings: Plan and organize special events, including faculty meetings, professional development days, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Child Assessments & Parent-Teacher Conferences: Coordinate child assessments and ensure the smooth operation of parent-teacher conferences twice a year to discuss student progress.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Conduct monthly self-reviews and prepare a Quality Assurance (QA) Report to evaluate health and safety compliance within the school. This includes monitoring protocols, classroom sanitation procedures, and overall safety practices to ensure a safe learning environment for both students and staff. Provide training and support to faculty and staff to adhere to all health and safety regulations.

Qualifications (NJ Head Teacher Requirements)

Candidates must meet one of the following combinations of education and experience:

• Master’s Degree in Education with at least 6 credits in early childhood/child development and 1 year full-time teaching experience with children under 6.
• Master’s Degree in another field with at least 9 credits in early childhood/child development and 1 year full-time teaching experience with children under 6.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Nursing, Child Development, or related field with at least 6 credits in early childhood/child development and 2 years full-time teaching experience with children under 6.
• Bachelor’s Degree in another field with at least 9 credits in early childhood/child development and 3 years full-time teaching experience with children under 6 (or 6 credits plus 4 years).
• Teaching Certification (NJ P-3, Elementary, or Special Education preferred) with required credits and experience.
• Montessori certification equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years full-time teaching experience.
•  Head Teacher endorsement from the NJ Registry for Childhood Professionals.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on education & experience.
• Paid time off (PTO) & holidays.
• Childcare discount.
• Ongoing training & professional development.
• Supportive and collaborative school culture.

About Us

The Goddard School of Parsippany provides a safe, nurturing, and play-based learning environment that encourages children to develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. We are proud of our supportive team environment and are looking for educators who share our commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

Apply today to join our team and help shape the next generation of learners!