As Head of School, you will lead a Bezos Academy with children ages three through five as part of a growing multi-state network of high quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities. You will hire teachers, support student recruitment efforts, build a strong family community, coach and develop teaching staff, and ensure the educational experience for each child in every classroom is of the highest standard. You will bring significant teaching and school leadership experience, knowledge of child development, management experience, exceptional communication skills, and experience working with families and leaders from diverse community areas. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in under-resourced communities.

LOCATION

We are opening a new school in the Lakeland area on the campus of Oscar J. Pope Elementary School in partnership with Polk County Public Schools in the fall of 2025:

Lakeland (2730 Maine Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801)

This new preschool is likely to open in September or October 2025, and we have purposefully designed a year-long onboarding program for founding Heads of School, so the start date will be August 2024.

Relocation support is available for this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.  
The full salary range for this position is $80,000 - $128,000 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience. 
This role includes 22 paid days of scheduled breaks, 7 paid days of vacation, 3 paid days of personal time off, 7 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree
5+ years managing a multi-classroom school or childcare center OR 2+ years as the top leader/principal of a large public or charter school. Experience must include running the fiscal and operating needs of the school/center (e.g., strategic planning, program evaluation, student recruitment, family and community engagement) and teacher hiring, development, and performance management.
Strong track record of operating a multi-classroom school/center with meaningful, measurable outcomes for children.
Prior experience, teaching or similar, working with children aged 0 to 3^rd grade with strong outcomes
2+ years prior work experience with children and families in low-income communities in the US OR significant personal experience in low-income communities in the US (grew up and/or attended school in)
Meet the minimum qualifications for being a school director in Florida
Strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience as head of school/center director for a preschool or administrative leadership experience in a K-3 setting
Primary teaching or administrative credential from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
Experience implementing Montessori philosophy and curriculum
Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and program evaluation
Proven results coaching and developing teachers
Experience working with children and families in low-income areas

RESPONSIBILITIES

Assume responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school
Support the planning, preparation, and delivery of instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori-inspired learning experiences
Supervise all faculty and staff, both teaching and non-teaching
Provide administrative and professional leadership for faculty and staff
Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that support the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school and Bezos Academy
Provide leadership for activities which affect the current and future development of the school (such as strategic planning and setting curricular goals)
Ensure that program quality is maintained and that classrooms have appropriate instructional materials
Supervise and participate in the selecting and hiring of qualified persons to serve as members of the faculty
Support an inclusive and respectful partnership between families, community, and school on behalf of the child
Partner with local community agencies to provide additional wrap around supports and services for students and families
Support with the initial and ongoing student recruitment efforts
Create ways for families to stay informed, educated, and active in the Bezos Academy community
Oversee effective marketing, communications, and outreach to the school community
Serve as the public spokesperson for the school and for Montessori-inspired education

Please click here for the full job description.

Bezos Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bezos Academy participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee Form I-9 Information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. Bezos Academy only uses E-Verify once a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. If E-Verify cannot confirm that an employee is authorized to work, Bezos Academy will give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so the employee can begin to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken. For more information about your right to work, please see the Notice of Right to Work.

If you are a current Bezos Academy employee, please use the internal job board.

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GENERAL: Please list your personal address, including zip code: *

GENERAL: Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for Bezos Academy? *

Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.

GENERAL: Do you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.) to work legally for our company in the United States? *

GENERAL: Has a government agency or past employer ever made findings that you engaged in any form of child abuse or neglect? *

GENERAL: If yes, please list the government agency or employer that made the findings, the date the findings were made, and the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.

COMPLIANCE: Have you initiated the 40 hours of mandatory introductory trainings within your first 90 days of entering the FL child care industry? *

If the Bezos Academy role will be your first job working in a licensed Florida child care facility, please answer NO.

COMPLIANCE: Have you completed all 40 hours of mandatory introductory trainings and passed the competency exams within 12 months from the date the training began? *

If the Bezos Academy role will be your first job working in the Florida child care industry, please answer NO.

COMPLIANCE: Have you completed 5 hours of Early Literacy training within 12 months of entering the FL child care industry, via one of the DCF’s online courses, one of the DCF’s approved literacy training courses, or one college level early literacy course if taken within the past 5 years? *

If the Bezos Academy role will be your first job in a licensed Florida child care facility, please answer NO.

COMPLIANCE: While employed in a child care program, have you ever been the subject of disciplinary action or been the part responsible for a child care facility receiving an administrative fine or other disciplinary action? *

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LANGUAGE: If you answered yes to the question above, please share more.

EXPERIENCE: Tell us about your prior experience with Montessori pedagogy. *

Montessori certification is not a job requirement.

EXPERIENCE: Bezos Academy’s mission is to expand access to preschool in under-resourced areas. Accordingly, please describe your experience, if any, working or living in a low-income community in the US (check all that apply): *

EXPERIENCE: If you marked in the question above that you have worked in a low-income community in the US, please explain in more detail below:

EXPERIENCE: Please describe your past experience coaching/mentoring teachers. *

EXPERIENCE: Tell us about your prior experience managing a multi-classroom school or childcare center. *

START DATE: What is the earliest date by which you could start full time as a Head of School at Bezos Academy? *

START DATE: Please tell us more about your start date and availability.

We are eager to learn more about your availability to support a robust onboarding and training program. Please tell us about your current commitments and considerations leading you to choose your start date.

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Founding Head of School: Lakeland, FL (starting August 2024)

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