Junior Kindergarten Classroom Teacher (Advisor)

Location: Montclair, New Jersey | Type: Full Time

About the Role

MKA is seeking a Junior Kindergarten Classroom Teacher beginning the 2026-2027 school year. The role involves teaching and advising up to eighteen 4-5-year-old students in a co-teaching environment. The Junior Kindergarten curriculum evolves based on students’ interests and curiosity, emphasizing hands-on projects and active discovery to encourage inquiry, hypothesis formation, and exploration.

Classroom teachers participate in all required school meetings, activities, and Primary School community responsibilities. They collaborate with grade-level team members, the Student Support Team, administrators, and parents to foster strong partnerships in student learning.

MKA is committed to promoting multicultural education grounded in equity, anti-bias education, and social justice. The school seeks candidates who share this commitment to inquiry, reflection, and engagement in creating an inclusive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Teach and advise 4-5-year-old students in a co-teaching environment.
• Develop and implement a child-centered, hands-on curriculum based on students’ interests and curiosity.
• Encourage students to notice, wonder, form hypotheses, ask questions, and initiate explorations.
• Actively participate in school meetings, activities, and Primary School community duties.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams, the Student Support Team, administrators, and parents to support student learning.
• Communicate effectively with parents through email, phone calls, digital platforms, in-person conferences, and narrative reports.
• Engage students in developmentally appropriate lessons using varied modalities and materials.
• Assess students using formal and informal methods and use data to inform instruction.
• Implement effective classroom management strategies.
• Model flexible problem-solving skills for students and colleagues.
• Contribute positively to the Primary School community through collaboration and engagement.
• Support students’ digital documentation of learning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience at the early childhood level.
• Experience teaching literacy and mathematics at the early childhood level.
• Experience scaffolding students’ social and emotional development.
• Familiarity with technology integration for teaching and learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the Reggio Emilia Approach, Responsive Classroom, Handwriting Without Tears, and integrated literacy and math instruction.

Skills

• Passion, enthusiasm, and energy for working with young children and their families.
• Commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive learning environment for all students.
• Ability to establish strong rapport with students and parents.
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal modes.
• Practical knowledge of child development and early childhood/elementary education pedagogy.
• Proficiency in planning and implementing a child-centered, hands-on curriculum.
• Understanding of the importance of play and collaboration in learning.
• Awareness of different learning styles and experience with differentiated instruction.
• Commitment to multicultural education, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Experience in assessing students and using data to inform instruction.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Desire and ability to work collaboratively in teams.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.

Pay

Compensation is pro-rated based on an annual salary range of $50,000–$100,000, depending on teaching experience. As a part-year employee, this position is eligible for part-time employee benefits.

Schedule

10-month contract.

About Montclair Kimberley Academy

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) is one of New Jersey’s leading co-educational independent day schools, serving over 1,000 students across three campuses in Montclair. MKA is committed to promoting multicultural education grounded in equity, anti-bias education, anti-racism, and social justice. The school fosters a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive community that inspires students to lead lives of noble character, purpose, and distinction.