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Early Childhood Teacher

Hawken School
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EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER (PRESCHOOL)

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students. 

THE POSITION

Hawken School is seeking both full-time and part-time Early Childhood Teachers for the 2025-26 school year in our preschool classrooms. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, innovative educator dedicated to nurturing the development of the whole child. We are looking for individuals who are eager to collaborate within a team-oriented environment, working alongside thoughtful and passionate colleagues. Candidates should bring a genuine passion for early childhood education, along with a positive, joyful attitude and a deep respect for the unique needs of young learners. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Co-teach in a self-contained section of preschool and manage all aspects of an early childhood classroom, including: development of projects, providing meaningful activities based upon a Reggio-Emilia inspired emergent curriculum model, assessment of student development, and communication with families
  • Practice a high level of professionalism with a student-centered mindset
  • Support the individualized needs of children while managing whole-group experiences during teacher-directed activities and small- and large-group experiences
  • Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supervision of children during unstructured times of play, such as time on the playground 
  • Serve as a member of the grade-level team, responsible for developing, planning, and implementing classroom and grade-level curriculum and measuring and documenting student progress 
  • Attend and contribute to weekly team meetings, grade-level meetings, and faculty meetings with a growth mindset and a collaborative approach 
  • Nurture a caring and supportive early childhood learning environment with SEL and DEIJ work at the core 
  • Plan for and participate in family-teacher conferences according to the school cycle (typically 3-4 times a year)
  • Perform any other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Director or Head of School, including, but not limited to, professional development workdays and admission events 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Preference will be given to candidates with a Master’s degree and/or experience in Reggio-Emilia inspired classrooms 
  • Demonstrated competence in early childhood curriculum development, instruction, and pedagogy 
  • Experience with Responsive Classroom and/or Conscious Discipline preferred
  • Exceptional understanding of the developmental needs of early childhood learners 
  • A joyful enthusiasm for early childhood learners and the field of early childhood education 
  • Flexibility, energy, creativity, high expectations, and a sense of humor
  • A willingness and eagerness to assist in the life of the School 
  • Experience collaborating with colleagues and families with a strengths-based and growth mindset 
  • Multilingual fluency is a plus 

HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES 

Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission. 

Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably. 

Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community. 

Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work. 

Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others. 

Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving. 

THE SCHOOL

Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduces its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment. 

To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Brooke Marcy, Early Childhood Director, at ecemployment@hawken.edu.

Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.