Lead Preschool Teacher

Masterminds Academy is launching a new PreK–8 accelerated microschool in California, inspired by a highly successful model in Dubai. We are building a small, ambitious, deeply human school — one that treats learning as an intellectual adventure and children as serious thinkers from the very beginning.

We are looking for a founding Lead Preschool Teacher who loves early childhood deeply, understands the profound importance of the early years, and is excited by the opportunity to help build a preschool program from the ground up within a vibrant PreK–8 community.

WHO THIS ROLE IS REALLY FOR

• Loves young children — and respects them as thinkers.
• You delight in the curiosity, imagination, and intensity of the early years. You believe preschool is not babysitting or daycare — it is the foundation of intellectual life.
• Understands that early childhood is serious work.
• You appreciate the enormous importance of language development, early numeracy, motor skills, social growth, and independence. You know that joyful play and intellectual development are not opposites.
• Thrives in a small, thoughtful learning environment.
• You enjoy knowing every child deeply and building strong partnerships with families.
• Wants to help build something.
• This is a founding role. You will help shape the preschool program, refine systems, and contribute to the development of a school that will grow over time.
• Can balance warmth with structure.
• You create classrooms that are joyful, nurturing, and full of wonder — but also purposeful and well-run.

ROLE OVERVIEW

You will serve as both lead preschool teacher and early childhood program builder, working closely with school leadership and fellow faculty.

Teaching & Learning

• Teach our preschool cohort through joyful, structured, and intellectually rich experiences.
• Design engaging learning experiences that build:
• Language development
• Early literacy and storytelling
• Early numeracy and spatial reasoning
• Motor coordination and hands-on exploration
• Social development and independence
• Create a classroom culture where curiosity, kindness, and confidence grow naturally.
• Observe each child closely and help develop individualized learning plans that reflect their development and interests.
• Connect classroom experiences to the broader world — including outdoor exploration and community experiences in the Bay Area.

Program Building & Leadership

• Help shape the preschool program from the ground up.
• Work closely with school leadership on program design, daily rhythm, and curriculum coherence.
• Help lead California preschool licensing and compliance efforts (Title 22).
• Partner closely with families — sharing insights, progress, and building a strong community of trust.
• Participate in admissions events and school storytelling, helping families understand the Masterminds philosophy.
• Collaborate with colleagues to build a joyful, serious, intellectually alive school culture.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$80,000–$90,000, with flexibility for exceptional candidates.

Health insurance, PTO, and professional development.

START DATE

Flexible — ideally you are able to participate in spring and summer program development, licensing preparation, and family engagement, but we will work with any great candidate. Training with the Dubai Masterminds team is included (online for now).

HOW TO APPLY

Please email both a resume and cover letter to Michael Finnegan (View email address on click.appcast.io). Applications without both materials will not be considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Resume & cover letter review
2. Employment application
3. Two interviews
4. References & background checks