Preschool Teacher, Alpha - $120,000/year USD

Exceptional preschool teachers don't require scripted curricula. They require a school that values their professional judgment. If you're an educator who views play as meaningful work, prioritizes relationships over rote academics, and sees every moment as a chance for development, Alpha is designed for you. This is a full-time, on-site position in Manhattan, where you'll lead a Pre-K classroom focused equally on emotional safety, curiosity, and measurable developmental outcomes.

About the role

You'll create rich, play-based learning environments that foster confidence, resilience, early literacy, numeracy, and authentic enthusiasm for learning. We seek educators who understand that quality preschool isn't babysitting—it's the groundwork for all future success. Alpha is transforming education by accelerating academic mastery, freeing time for the essential life skills students need. That transformation starts in Pre-K with outstanding teachers who know how to make play purposeful.

We're prepared to hire from throughout the New York metro area. If you're a talented educator interested in relocating closer to the city, relocation assistance is available. If you've been searching for a school that honors early childhood education as a true profession—not merely a stepping stone—we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Create joyful, sensory-rich learning environments that deliberately develop early literacy, numeracy, self-regulation, and social competence.
• Build a classroom culture where every child feels emotionally secure, genuinely understood, and eager to attend school daily.
• Monitor children's developmental progress continuously, record significant milestones, and apply these observations to individualize instruction.
• Modify activities to align with each child's interests and developmental stage, ensuring every learner achieves measurable growth.
• Collaborate closely with families to communicate progress, recognize achievements, and extend each child's learning beyond school hours.
• Build a Pre-K classroom where every child cultivates an enduring love of learning while achieving exceptional developmental progress across the foundational skills that determine lifelong success.

What You Won’t Be Doing

• Supervising children without intentional developmental objectives guiding each activity.
• Implementing scripted curricula, depending on worksheets, or prioritizing compliance over curiosity.
• Spending your time managing behavior instead of teaching children to self-regulate.
• Placing children in front of digital academic programs while you observe passively.

Requirements

Basic Requirements

• Able to work full-time, on-site in Manhattan, New York City (relocation assistance is available)
• An associate's degree or higher, or any U.S. state teaching license or certification
• At least 2 years of experience working with children ages 3-5 in a structured, play-based classroom or group setting
• Experience documenting developmental milestones using a structured framework or assessment tool (Teaching Strategies GOLD, ASQ, HighScope COR, etc.)
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Nice-to-have Requirements

• Background in a Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Bank Street, or other inquiry-based early childhood program
• Experience working in an independent school or academically rigorous preschool environment
• Knowledge of child-development frameworks, observation tools, or portfolio-based assessment methods
• Experience tailoring play-based activities to match individual interests, needs, and developmental objectives

About Alpha

Join the team building school around student growth. Alpha reimagines the school day around faster learning, stronger mentorship, and more time for students to build real-world skills.

• Roles with real student impact: Alpha hires teachers (guides), operators, admissions experts, school & curriculum leaders, and remote team members.
• Education work that pays like it matters: Alpha offers six-figure roles for people ready to help build a radically better school experience.
• A culture built for builders: Alpha is fast-moving, ambitious, and student focused. It’s for people who want to improve the system, not maintain it. Alpha is where you can do the most meaningful work of your career.

Benefits

This is a full-time, W2 employee position with immediate access to benefits. All roles are year-long positions.

Pay

The compensation level for this role is $120,000 USD/year. The payment period is weekly.