Help Build the Kind of School Where Children Flourish, Teachers Grow, and Families Belong.
At Ivybrook Academy, we believe the best schools are built by investing in children, families, and the educators who serve them.
This role may be an excellent fit for experienced Lead Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Assistant Directors, or other early childhood educators who are ready to take the next step into school leadership.
About Ivybrook Academy
Ivybrook Academy is a progressive Montessori- and Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool serving children from 18 months to 6 years of age. Our program is built on the belief that children learn best through curiosity, meaningful relationships, and hands-on discovery.
We also believe the educators who care for children deserve the same level of care, respect, and investment. We’ve built a school culture where relationships matter, people are treated with professionalism and kindness, and growth is encouraged every step of the way.
Why We Started Ivybrook
Ivybrook Academy is a locally owned preschool in Richmond, TX. As parents ourselves, we didn't set out to build just another preschool. We wanted to build the kind of school we'd choose for our own children and the kind of workplace we always hoped existed for educators.
Children deserve educators who love what they do.
Families deserve leaders they know and trust.
Educators deserve to feel respected, supported, and inspired to grow.
Our Culture
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We believe great educators are developed through coaching, encouragement, honest feedback, and trust. We lead with kindness, respect, accountability, and professionalism, and we believe growth never stops.
We understand our team members have families and lives outside of work. We work together to create flexibility, support one another, and maintain work-life balance.
About the Role
This is a full-time salaried leadership position that combines instructional leadership across all classrooms with daily school operations. This position bridges curriculum design and classroom implementation to ensure that our Reggio Emilia- and Montessori-aligned framework is lived, not just written.
You'll spend time in classrooms coaching teachers, observing instruction, supporting children, and building relationships with families. Reporting to the Principal/Owner, the Assistant Principal/Curriculum Director is a collaborative leader who will oversee curriculum, teacher development, staffing, and school operations.
We're looking for someone who is excited to grow as a leader while helping us build an exceptional school. This is a role for a leader who is equally at home in a classroom and a planning meeting—someone who leads by example, thinks critically, and finds meaning in developing people.
What You’ll Do
Instructional Leadership
- Coach teachers through regular classroom observations and meaningful feedback.
- Support implementation of Ivybrook's Montessori and Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum.
- Design, refine, and oversee the implementation of Ivybrook’s emergent, inquiry-based curriculum framework across all classrooms.
- Partner with our Curriculum Lead to strengthen instructional practices.
- Review lesson plans, classroom documentation, and student assessments.
- Develop and facilitate professional development aligned with Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles.
Teacher Leadership
- Mentor, coach, and evaluate educators through classroom observations, feedback cycles, and curriculum planning meetings.
- Partner with the Principal in hiring, onboarding, and developing new team members.
- Foster a culture of accountability, encouragement, and continuous learning.
- Serve as the primary leadership support for teachers.
- Partner with the leadership team on educator evaluations, goal-setting, and professional growth plans.
- Assist with selecting, mentoring, and onboarding new educators.
Family Partnerships
- Build relationships with children and families.
- Lead conversations regarding developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional concerns.
- Support family-facing communications about curriculum and learning with professionalism and empathy.
- Support enrollment by communicating the school’s curriculum approach to prospective families.
- Collaborate with the Parent Teacher Organization.
School Leadership
- Support licensing compliance and inspection readiness.
- Oversee staffing, scheduling, PTO approvals, and classroom coverage.
- Step into classrooms whenever needed.
- Represent Ivybrook professionally within the school community.
- Work as part of the leadership team to provide consistent leadership and support for teachers, children, and families, stepping into leadership responsibilities as needed.
Who We’re Looking For
While experience is important, we're also looking for the right leader. Someone who:
- Loves developing and encouraging other educators.
- Builds trust easily with children, families, and coworkers.
- Leads with confidence, humility, flexibility, and professionalism.
- Welcomes feedback and is committed to continuous learning.
- Is organized, dependable, and follows through.
- Stays calm under pressure and approaches challenges thoughtfully.
- Believes preschool is an educational experience—not simply childcare.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education required.
- Leadership experience as a Lead Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Director, Assistant Principal, mentor teacher, or a similar role is strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Experience coaching educators, building relationships with families, or leading school initiatives is preferred.
- Experience with portfolio-based assessment and documentation systems, or a willingness to learn.
- Knowledge of Texas Child Care Licensing regulations, or a willingness to learn.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic school environment.
- Comfortable using technology for communication, documentation, and organization, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and school management platforms (such as The Student Hub or Brightwheel).
- Current CPR and First Aid certification preferred, or willingness to obtain upon hire.
Why Ivybrook Academy?
- Full-time, salaried leadership position.
- Opportunities for performance-based salary increases and bonuses.
- Predictable school-day schedule, no before/after care responsibilities.
- Evenings and weekends are generally free.
- Approximately 6 to 8 weeks of scheduled school breaks throughout the year.
- Leadership team committed to flexibility, collaboration, and work-life balance.
- Tuition discount for children of Ivybrook employees.
- Opportunity to grow into increasing leadership responsibilities as our school continues to grow.
- A workplace built on trust, respect, meaningful relationships, and continuous learning.
If you're looking for a leadership opportunity where you can continue growing while making a meaningful impact on children, families, and educators, we encourage you to apply.
Ivybrook Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.
Pay: $42,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Education:
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 5 years (Required)
- Leadership: 2 years (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Richmond, TX 77407 (Required)
Work Location: In person
