Lead Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten (Harlem Gems)

Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) Gems seeks a Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher!

The Gems Lead Teacher will bring a passion for the goal of Harlem Gems: to prepare our youngest scholars to succeed in K-12 and beyond by building a strong academic foundation and starting them on the path to college and career. The ideal candidate cares deeply about children, respects the culture of Harlem’s residents, and is eager to make an impact in our community and beyond.

Requirements

Who you are

At Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), our mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and unlock new possibilities for our children, families, and communities. As the Pre-Kindergarten school within HCZ’s cradle-to-career pathway, Harlem Gems prepares our youngest scholars to succeed by delivering exceptional education and building a strong academic foundation—empowering young minds, inspiring potential, and creating lasting change. By joining, you become part of a transformative movement dedicated to shaping brighter futures and driving extraordinary outcomes for those we serve.

Harlem Gems is the final step in our early childhood pipeline. A top-notch, year-round, full-day pre-kindergarten program, Gems works with 160 children across two sites to ensure that each and everyone enters kindergarten school-ready. Gems staff encourage strong family involvement, engaging parents and caregivers in classroom activities, and creating consistency between home and school.

What you’ll do

• Design and implement dynamic, standards-aligned lesson plans that inspire curiosity and foster mastery of grade-level content
• Assess student progress using a variety of methods—exams, projects, and written work—to personalize instruction and ensure continuous growth
• Establish and maintain high academic and behavioral standards, motivating all students to achieve their best
• Utilize diverse teaching strategies, including direct instruction, hands-on projects, and group activities, to engage and challenge students
• Collaborate with teaching assistants and fellow educators to meet individual student needs and create a supportive learning community
• Build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to foster a culture of trust, communication, and academic success

Schedule

• 11-month position
• Monday – Friday, work hours 7:40 am- 4:00pm and 10:00 am - 6:00pm (rotating schedule)
• Must be available to work flexible hours (after hours, weekends, and holidays as needed)

Benefits

To achieve these exceptional outcomes, we hire the best and brightest educators and administrators and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages in the industry. We believe they earn it and deserve it. 

Our exceptional benefits include :

• Highly competitive base salaries
• Up to $30,000 in Student Loan Forgiveness
• $6,000 sign on bonus after 90 days of employment
• Paid time off
• Employee referral bonus
• Career advancement
• No-cost health insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-and long-term disability
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Wellness discounts
• Commuter benefits
• Financial wellness perks
• Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)

In addition, we provide our teachers with the resources they need to be successful. Teachers receive a personal laptop, Smartboards, and tablets; bi-weekly professional development; and the support of a team of academic coaches, deans, guidance counselors, and social workers who are committed to ensuring the success of all our scholars.

The Gems Lead Teacher salary ranges from $65,000-$95,402 . Salaries are determined based on years of relevant experience, certification, and education level.

Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. Harlem Children's Zone does not provide work visas for candidates who require employer sponsorship for work authorization in the United States. 

Harlem Children’s Zone is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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