KairosPDX is a non-profit organization focused on delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families and their communities. Our mission is to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating, confident, creative, compassionate, leaders.
We do this through an organizational approach that includes our Learning Academy, Community Relations, Government Affairs, and Training Academy. Please visit www.kairospdx.org.
Working at KairosPDX
KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, Teacher- Early Learning position starting Summer 2026. Persons of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
KairosPDX launched our flagship program, our Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland in 2014. We practice a combination of direct instruction and inquiry based experiences towards maximizing learning for all students. Our curriculum approach is culturally-responsive, that infuses mindfulness, restorative practice, studio art, STEM, music and fitness towards teaching the whole child, at all points of the day.
KairosPDX launched our Training Academy in 2021. KairosPDX Training Academy is focused on training current leaders across multiple sectors on how to lead in an equity movement that is grounded in transformational change and rooted in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love. We provide training and professional development around rehumanization practices and protocols for administrators, educators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses the tools to do the work in equity that KairosPDX puts into practice daily.
The Early Learning Academy, which opened in 2022 as a pilot site for Preschool for All, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is grounded in the belief that culturally-specific, early learning experiences expand opportunities for children to actively engage in creating their own lives and to contribute fully to the quality of the world around them. We value the creativity, interests, ideas and questions of the children and adults at our school. We practice listening, observing, inquiring, being attentive, and reflecting together with children and families. We value the role of the arts and sciences as languages for thinking, expressing ideas, communicating who we are, and telling the stories of those we belong to – past and present.
Kairos is Greek for a special moment in time and we believe we are creating this time and space for children and families, making KairosPDX a very special place to work. We are committed to the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We value data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement as we work together on behalf of our children and families.Our expectation is that staff at KairosPDX are invested in our mission and participate in creating structures, developing school culture and communicating our work to families and the larger community. Staff work together to support the whole child – academically, socially, emotionally and culturally, using published curriculum, current research and children’s own interests to build their curriculums. KairosPDX values data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement as we work together on behalf of our children and families.
Overall Staff Responsibilities:
Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission:
- To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders;
- Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions:
- respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community
- Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction
- Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative,
- Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others,
- A multi- cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society,
- Children must be supported in the context of their families;
- Support multicultural practice and inquiry based approaches that are:
- Actively anti-racist – confronting bias in all of its forms,
- Education for social justice – acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future,
- Pervasive – Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization,
- Personal –Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being,
- Critical Pedagogy – Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions,
- Empowering – Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views,
- Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Position Responsibilities:
- To create a classroom Social Environment where learning can thrive.
- To design a classroom Physical Environment that welcomes all children, respects them and sustains learning.
- To create a Collaborative Community of Learners.
- To strengthen Habits of Mind that provide the building blocks of all learning.
- To introduce and practice Curriculum Structures that strengthen Habits of Mind through an inquiry approach to teaching and learning.
- To embed Early Academic Awareness within curriculum structures, protocols and routines.
- To Document the Learning Process of the group and individual children.
Additional Responsibilities:
Curriculum & Instruction
- Plan, facilitate and reflect on age-appropriate learning experiences designed to nurture children’s social-emotional, cognitive, cultural and creative intelligences.
- Facilitate inquiry-based learning experiences grounded in an understanding of the developmental stages and needs of children ages 3-5
- Create a social environment that supports children to nurture and challenge their sense of self and community
- Establish and maintain authentic and respectful relationships with children, families and colleagues
Health & Safety
- Maintain healthy and safe conditions for children, families and colleagues
- Follow all rules and regulations for certified child care centers
- Follow all policies and protocols of KairosPDX
Communication & Partnership
- Communicate with families about students' experiences, challenges, and progress
- Engage as a member of a teaching team which practices and values collaboration, listening for understanding, and respectful communication
- Maintain professional commitment to the mission of KairosPDX and its approaches to teaching and learning
- Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events
- Participate in professional development to facilitate the growth of each student, staff member and the organization overall
- Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations
- Participate in all staff, department and team meetings and seminars
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
- At least two full years of teaching experience in a licensed/certified preschool setting with lesson planning experience required; OR
- At least 10 semester credits or 15 quarter credits in early childhood education with at least 6 full months of experience in a licensed/certified preschool setting including lesson planning experience required; OR
- Documentation of attaining at least step 8 in Oregon registry
- Previous experience in childcare, teaching, or other related fields
- Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry through the Office of Child Care (cost paid by applicant).
- Strong verbal and written communications skills with internal staff, external corporate partners, donors, funders, volunteers, and vendors
- Agility to work across multiple, simultaneous projects and meet deadlines with attention to detail and deadlines.
- Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledgeable of the practices of the early childhood schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Values families as essential partners in children’s learning.
- Finds joy in working alongside children and other adults.
Knowledge & Skills:
- High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and to prioritize work on multiple projects;
- Highly detail-focused and results-oriented;
- Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies including families, parents, staff and students;
- Team-player attitude and strong customer-service orientation;
- Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word;
- Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and tenacity;
- Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture;
- Commitment to culturally relevant practices;
- Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration;
- Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant);
- Ability to pass a criminal background check.
- Ability to adhere to Governors Vaccination Requirements for Teachers and School Staff, note this applies to all KairosPDX non-Instructional staff.
- Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families;
- Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color; and
- Passion for KairosPDX’s mission.
KairosPDX is an equal opportunity employer. KairosPDX will not discriminate against any job application or employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation and/or gender identification.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $43,853.00 - $73,797.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 10 semester credits or 15 quarter credits in early childhood education with at least 6 full months of experience in a licensed/certified preschool setting?
License/Certification:
- Infant, Adult, Child CPR (Required)
- Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry (Required)
Work Location: In person
