For full job description and application, please click here. 

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 bring significant teaching and school leadership experience, knowledge of child development, culturally responsive teaching practices, an understanding of the Hawaiian culture, customs and local spirit of aloha, and experience working with diverse communities. You are deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families, embodying our Child First Always leadership principle.    

As the first Head of School on the island of Maui, you will be Bezos Academy’s leader in the community, county, and state. You will build a partnership of county and state-wide support with community, political, and education leaders to further Bezos Academy’s mission. You will lead external stakeholder engagement, representing Bezos Academy and embodying our Leadership Principles. In preparation for your school opening in fall 2025, you will build a strong school culture, coach and develop teaching staff, create an environment that is inclusive of all children of Hawaii, and ensure the educational experience in every classroom is of the highest standard. You will participate closely in the launch and opening of your preschool by working closely with the community, selecting materials, ensuring proper licensing, and hiring teaching/support staff. You will lead the effort to infuse Hawaiian culture and language with child-centered Montessori practices. Above all, you will lead the preschool with aloha, respect for the environment and island, and demonstrate passion for our mission to expand access to high-quality preschool in under-resourced communities.                          

LOCATION

We anticipate opening a new Bezos Academy preschool in Lahaina, Maui in partnership with a local community partner in the fall of 2025, pending construction.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position.   
• The full salary range for this position is $83,000 - $133,000 per year. Starting salary will vary by qualifications and prior experience, though we expect starting salary to be at least $100,000 given our desire for an experienced leader. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and have demonstrated strong performance over time. 
• This position offers a $7,500 bonus ($2,500 each on first paycheck, after 90 days, and after 6 months). 
• 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
• Five or more years of experience managing a multi-classroom school or childcare center OR 2+ years in network/district leadership position. Experience must include overseeing the 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
• Experience, teaching or similar, working directly with children aged 0 to 3rd grade with strong outcomes 
• Familiarity with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture
• Familiarity with child-centered practices
• Track record of delivering results with meaningful, measurable outcomes for children
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Two or more years prior work experience with children and families in under-resourced communities in the US AND/OR significant personal experience in under-resourced communities in the US (grew up and/or attended school in)
• Strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including significant experience building relationships across lines of difference  
• Meet the minimum qualifications for a preschool director in the state of Hawaii in alignment with the Department of Human Services
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to local partners and to the preschool 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as Head of School/Center Director for a preschool or administrative leadership experience in an early childhood education setting  
• Experience, teaching or similar, working directly with children ages 3-5 years old  
• Experience leading the opening of a new school site with multiple classrooms successfully or comparable start-up leadership experience 
• Experience managing a multi-site network of schools or childcare centers, including hiring, managing, coaching, and evaluation
• Experience in culturally responsive & trauma-informed teaching practices
• MACTE-accredited Primary (ages 3-6) Montessori certification and teaching experience
• Proficiency in Hawaiian language
• Instructional or leadership experience working with children aged 0 to 3rd grade with special needs or early intervention 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Promote and embody the true spirit of aloha to create a positive impact
• Create a warm and welcoming environment for children and families
• Infuse the Montessori-inspired approach with culturally relevant pedagogies that center on the culture of Hawaii
• Support the planning, preparation, and delivery of instructional activities that facilitate child-centered Montessori-inspired learning experiences
• Support an inclusive, culturally responsive and respectful partnership between families, community, and school on behalf of the child
• Partner with local community agencies to provide additional wraparound supports and services
• Maintain a strong, thoughtful presence in external early childhood education spaces at the state and local level to further our mission  
• Develop and implement a consistent and respectful community engagement strategy 
• Collaborate with leaders across the state of Hawaii to build trust and ensure Bezos Academy’s impact is responsive to the needs of the preschool keiki and community
• Build and execute an impactful external stakeholder strategy with community, county, and statewide leaders 
• Represent Bezos Academy externally in the state of Hawaii
• Periodic island-to-island travel, as needed
• Assume responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the preschool
• Supervise and develop 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 preschool and Bezos Academy
• Provide leadership for activities which affect the current and future development of the preschool (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 with 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 preschool community
• Serve as the public spokesperson for the preschool and for Montessori-inspired education