Founding Head of School: Phoenix, AZ (starting August 2024)

As Head of School, you will establish and lead a Bezos Academy with children ages three through five as part of a growing multi-state network of high quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities. You will participate closely in the launch and opening of your school, selecting materials, and hiring teaching/support staff. In preparation for your school opening in fall 2025, you will hire teachers, support student recruitment efforts, build a strong family community, coach and develop teaching staff, and ensure the educational experience for each child in every classroom is of the highest standard. You will bring significant teaching and school leadership experience, knowledge of child development, management experience, exceptional communication skills, and experience working with families and leaders from diverse community areas. Above all, you demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high quality preschool in under-resourced communities.

LOCATION AND START DATES

We are opening 5 new schools in the Phoenix area in the fall of 2025:

• Glendale – Desert Garden Park (7020 W Ocotillo Rd, Glendale, AZ 85303)
• Glendale – Sahuaro Glenn (8611 N 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302)
• Mesa – Adobe Hills (1001 N Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85205)
• Mesa – Greenfield Estates (4840 E Adobe Street, Mesa, AZ 85205)
• Mesa – Meadowvale (2433 E Adobe Street, Mesa, AZ 85213)

Our new preschools are likely to open in September or October 2025, and we have purposefully designed a year-long onboarding program for founding Heads of School, so the start date will be August 2024.

Relocation support is available for this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.  
• The full salary range for this position is $82,000 - $131,000 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience. 
• This role includes 22 paid days of scheduled breaks, 7 paid days of vacation, 3 paid days of personal time off, 7 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years managing a multi-classroom school or childcare center OR 2+ years as the top leader/principal of a large public or charter school. Experience must include running the fiscal and operating needs of the school/center (e.g., strategic planning, program evaluation, student recruitment, family and community engagement) and teacher hiring, development, and performance management.
• Strong track record of operating a multi-classroom school/center with meaningful, measurable outcomes for children.
• Prior experience, teaching or similar, working with children aged 0 to 3^rd grade with strong outcomes
• 2+ years prior work experience with children and families in low-income communities in the US OR significant personal experience in low-income communities in the US (grew up and/or attended school in)
• Meet the minimum qualifications for being a school director in Arizona
• Strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as head of school/center director for a preschool or administrative leadership experience in a K-3 setting
• Primary teaching or administrative credential from an AMI, AMS, or other MACTE-accredited institute
• Experience implementing Montessori philosophy and curriculum
• Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and program evaluation
• Proven results coaching and developing teachers
• Experience working with children and families in low-income areas

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assume responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school
• Support the planning, preparation, and delivery of instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori-inspired learning experiences
• Supervise all faculty and staff, both teaching and non-teaching
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for faculty and staff
• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that support the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school and Bezos Academy
• Provide leadership for activities which affect the current and future development of the school (such as strategic planning and setting curricular goals)
• Ensure that program quality is maintained and that classrooms have appropriate instructional materials
• Supervise and participate in the selecting and hiring of qualified persons to serve as members of the faculty
• Support an inclusive and respectful partnership between families, community, and school on behalf of the child
• Partner with local community agencies to provide additional wrap around supports and services for students and families
• Support with the initial and ongoing student recruitment efforts
• Create ways for families to stay informed, educated, and active in the Bezos Academy community
• Oversee effective marketing, communications, and outreach to the school community
• Serve as the public spokesperson for the school and for Montessori-inspired education

 Please click here for the full job description.

Bezos Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bezos Academy participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee Form I-9 Information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. Bezos Academy only uses E-Verify once a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. If E-Verify cannot confirm that an employee is authorized to work, Bezos Academy will give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so the employee can begin to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken. For more information about your right to work, please see the Notice of Right to Work.