Early Childhood Teacher

Overview

52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078

Early Childhood Teacher

Position Summary:

School is seeking a dynamic and experienced Early Childhood Co-Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. A strong candidate will embrace the School’s unique progressive, multidisciplinary, and collaborative approach to learning and will demonstrate a deep understanding of early childhood development, social-emotional learning, and intentional classroom practice.

Far Brook teachers contribute to a supportive, caring, and thoughtfully structured environment in which students learn to engage positively with one another, develop independence, and build the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning. All teachers are expected to work collaboratively as part of a classroom teaching team, balancing warmth, responsiveness, and clear expectations to ensure continuity of learning for all students.

• Understand and support the Far Brook School Statement of Purpose and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice.
• Provide a warm, welcoming, and emotionally attuned presence that fosters a sense of safety, belonging, and readiness to learn for young children.
• Establish and maintain a progressive classroom environment with consistent routines, clear expectations, and intentional structure that supports social-emotional growth while allowing learning and play to continue without disruption.
• Demonstrate strong social-emotional classroom management skills, including the ability to anticipate challenges, redirect student behavior calmly and effectively, and support regulation while maintaining engagement for the full class.
• Lead small-group activities and play experiences—including art, dramatic play, block work, and learning centers—within the Nursery 4s program, using observation and reflection to inform instruction.
• Collaborate closely with a co-teacher, learning specialist, and school counselor to thoughtfully support diverse learners within the classroom setting, ensuring alignment between curriculum goals and learning support strategies.
• Apply developmentally appropriate practices to support students with a range of emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, minimizing over-reliance on external support through proactive and responsive classroom practices.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with families from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and parenting styles through written updates, conferences, and progress reports.
• Facilitate child-centered routines—including meals, rest, and outdoor play—while using these daily transition times as purposeful moments to nurture independence and social skill development.
• Support students during transitions to/from Specialist classes (art, library, music, sports, woodshop, etc.), preparing students emotionally and behaviorally for success across varied learning environments.
• Participate actively in reflective practice, collaboration, and professional growth, and contribute to the broader school community by performing other duties as needed.

• A degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience in progressive or inquiry-based educational settings.
• Demonstrated success supporting social-emotional development in early childhood classrooms.
• Experience collaborating with co-teachers and student support teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with families.
• Proficient with technology, Google G Suite for Education, and Blackbaud.

Reports to the Director of Lower School.

Early Childhood Teacher role is a full-time, exempt position that provides eligibility for the following benefits:

• Medical benefits are available to full-time employees following 30 days of employment and include employer-paid contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
• Vision and dental plans are available at the employee’s cost.
• The School provides employer-paid life insurance (up to $50,000 in coverage) and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Additional benefits include tuition remission, educational assistance, and participation in the School’s retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• Please note:
  
  Benefits are subject to change in accordance with plan documents and School policy.

Salary Range: $42,000 - $50,000 annually, based on experience, education, and internal equity considerations. However, final salary will be determined based on all qualifications and must be in alignment with the School’s benchmarking and compensation model.

1 Key Skills for Social-Emotional Success with early childhood students include building secure relationships; modeling self-regulation & empathy; positive behavior strategies; emotional literacy coaching; conflict resolution; and active listening and observation.