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Junior Kindergarten Teacher (Leave Replacement) 25-26
About Grace
Grace Church School is a JK–12, independent school located on two nearby campuses in downtown New York City. An Episcopal school, welcoming children of all faiths and of none, Grace believes in the inherent, precious dignity of every individual and seeks to provide an outstanding education worthy of our common humanity. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to the Episcopal values of dignity and belonging.
Grace is a school of big ideas, and our structured curriculum promotes academic excellence through a pedagogy of joy: an approach that reflects our belief that joy is the fuel of academic achievement, and that students learn best when motivated by delight, wonder, curiosity, and purpose. We work hard to nurture a culture of dignity and belonging, and we seek to foster in each student skills of intellectual excellence and habits of ethical virtue. Grounded in tradition, the school remains ever open to innovation, looking to the best research on the science of learning and the craft of teaching to advance the timeless values and aspirations of our mission .
About the position
Grace Church School seeks a nurturing and collaborative individual to join our Junior Kindergarten (4/5s) teaching team on January 5th as a Head Teacher leave replacement for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. Reporting to the Head of Early Childhood, Early Childhood Head Teachers collaborate with grade level colleagues, specialists, and administrators to deliver instruction that is responsive to the needs of individual students and grounded in best practices. The Junior Kindergarten is a shared classroom space where all of the teachers work closely together. An element of this position will be to uphold and build off of the routines and practices that have already been established by the current Head Teacher. Working closely together with the current Head Teacher through the middle of January to learn about the environment and remaining scope of the school year will be an important and helpful beginning to the role. Qualified candidates must display strong classroom management skills, a proven commitment to professional growth, and an eagerness to partner with families in a mutually supportive relationship. In addition, ideal candidates must demonstrate an ability to bring joy and energy to their daily interactions with children as well as the cultural competency needed to work and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates should also possess a positive attitude and outlook along with flexibility.
Responsibilities & Qualifications
- Cultivate a warm and inviting classroom community that promotes a positive and productive learning environment
- Guide, train, mentor, and support a Junior Kindergarten Associate Teacher
- Develop, plan, and teach all disciplines related to homeroom curriculum
- Experience with strategy-based literacy and math instruction preferred, including, but not limited to:
- Bridges in Mathematics, Amplify CKLA, Sounds in Motion
- Implement responsive, equitable, and positive classroom management strategies
- Collaborate with grade-level team members to enhance the curriculum with commitment to addressing social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-bias education, and demonstrate competence in antiracist pedagogy
- Utilize technology where appropriate when teaching and planning lessons
- Work with grade-level team members and the Head of Early Childhood
- Identify and respond to individual student’s academic and social-emotional needs in collaboration with the Head of Early Childhood, the Learning Specialist, the Literacy Specialist and the JK-4 School Counselor
- Communicate effectively with families on a regular basis through meetings, phone calls, emails, and scheduled conferences
- Write report cards that communicate the development of the whole child (language, math, social studies, writing, and social-emotional development)
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
- 3-5 years experience teaching early childhood/elementary school children (preferred)
- Effectively implements antiracist pedagogy into curriculum
- Experience teaching
- Bridges Math and
- CKLA Literacy is preferred
Compensation
This is a full-time faculty position with an expected base salary of $68,000–$155,040 commensurate with education and experience on the faculty salary scale.
Grace Church School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that equity and inclusion are not only hallmarks of a just society, but also virtues essential to sound learning. Our commitment to our mission calls on all faculty members to promote a culture of dignity and belonging for everyone at Grace. We encourage applications from candidates with broad and diverse backgrounds and from individuals of all races, nationalities, identities, and religious and non-religious traditions, and beliefs.
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume through our school website .
Career Type
Full-time
Hiring Period
Effective Immediately
Address
86 Fourth Avenue
New York, NY 10003Posted on
Oct 16, 2025
Start Date
Jan 5, 2026
Salary Range
$null - $null
Salary Type
Hourly
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Saint Ann's SchoolFreqently Asked Questions
In New York, certifications like the NYS Initial or Professional Early Childhood Education certification are highly regarded. Additionally, training in culturally responsive teaching and anti-bias education enhances a candidate’s appeal, especially for roles emphasizing diversity and inclusion within NYC’s diverse student population.
New York City exhibits a robust demand for early childhood educators due to its large population and numerous private and independent schools. Competition can be intense, but the variety of institutions, including schools like Grace Church School, offers unique opportunities for those with specialized skills in inclusive and joyful pedagogy.
Key skills include fostering social-emotional growth, applying strategy-based literacy and math instruction, and practicing equitable classroom management. A successful kindergarten teacher balances academic excellence with joy, curiosity, and ethical virtues to engage young learners holistically.
Kindergarten teachers often expand into specialized roles such as curriculum development, early childhood leadership, or educational consulting. Continuous professional growth, including advanced degrees or certifications focusing on anti-racist pedagogy, can open pathways to administrative or specialist positions.
Nysais emphasizes collaboration and a pedagogy of joy, encouraging teachers to create nurturing environments that promote wonder and curiosity. Their focus on dignity and belonging aligns with Episcopal values, integrating social justice and anti-bias education into daily classroom practices.
Nysais prioritizes a team-oriented, inclusive culture that supports professional growth and close partnerships with families. The role includes mentoring associate teachers and maintaining established routines, fostering a seamless transition during leave replacements, which may be less common in other institutions.
Salaries for junior kindergarten teachers in NYC typically range from $68,000 to $155,000 annually, depending on education and experience. Teachers with specialized training in areas like Bridges math and CKLA literacy, alongside several years of classroom practice, often command salaries toward the higher end.
Urban classrooms often require adaptive management strategies due to diverse student backgrounds and varying needs. Effective teachers develop responsive, positive approaches that foster inclusion and engagement, balancing structure with flexibility to accommodate the dynamic nature of early childhood education in NYC.
Commuting in downtown Manhattan can be time-consuming due to traffic and public transit schedules. Teachers often plan their mornings to avoid peak congestion, and proximity to multiple transit options near 86 Fourth Avenue helps mitigate delays, allowing for a smoother work-life balance.
NYC offers abundant workshops and seminars through educational networks and organizations focusing on anti-racist pedagogy, literacy strategies, and social-emotional learning. Schools like Grace Church School may also provide internal training, promoting continuous improvement aligned with current research in early childhood education.
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