Preschool Program Director/Lead Teacher

Preschool Program Director/Lead Teacher The Modern Schoolhouse San Mateo, CA Job Details Full-time $90,000 - $110,000 a year 2 days ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Flexible schedule Life insurance Qualifications Early childhood education center experience Teamwork Operations management Teacher mentoring for professional development Performance management Master's degree Team development Bachelor's degree Team management Instructional leadership in education Teacher coaching Staff development Full Job Description Lead Teacher & Campus Director (Dual Role) | The Modern Schoolhouse | San Mateo, CA $90,000-$110,000/year • Full-Time • In-Person The Modern Schoolhouse is hiring a Lead Teacher & Campus Director for our San Mateo school — a 90-child premium early childhood education and childcare program serving infants, toddlers, and Pre-K families. This is a dual role for an experienced ECE leader who never wants to leave the classroom but is ready to run a campus. You'll spend roughly half your time leading a classroom (infant, toddler, or Pre-K, based on campus needs and your strengths) and half your time leading the school. At TMS, we don't draw hard lines between admin and teachers — our school leaders stay connected to the classroom because that's where the work actually happens. Our Site Supervisor at this campus operates the same way, so you'll have a leadership partner who shares the philosophy. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (required) California Child Development Program Director Permit (required, or eligible to obtain within 90 days) 5+ years in ECE, including 2+ years in a leadership or assistant director role Demonstrated ability to develop teachers — not just manage them Working knowledge of California Title 22 and Title 5 licensing requirements Fluency in Conscious Discipline (or willingness to become certified) Strong, warm communication with families across diverse backgrounds and high expectations Comfort with technology, data, and operational systems Teaching Responsibilities (~50% of role) Lead a classroom (infant, toddler, or Pre-K — assigned based on campus needs and your strengths) Plan and deliver age-appropriate curriculum aligned with our whole-child pedagogy Practice Conscious Discipline and gentle behavior guidance Update families via our parent communication app and a Canva-designed monthly newsletter Track and share student progress with parents Model the classroom culture and standards you want every room to reflect Campus Director Responsibilities (~50% of role) Set pedagogical quality standards across all three rooms — infant, toddler, and Pre-K Lead Teaching Assistant and Lead Teacher development — coaching, mentorship, performance, and the TA-to-Lead promotion pathway Partner with your Site Supervisor on daily operations, scheduling, and licensing compliance Own the family experience from tour through enrollment through graduation Hire and retain teaching staff in partnership with our central recruiting team Manage Conscious Discipline implementation and curriculum fidelity campus-wide Collaborate with the four other TMS Directors on shared playbooks and cross-campus initiatives Why This Role Is Different Most Campus Director roles are office jobs. This one isn't. We believe the best operational leaders are the ones who still teach — they understand what classrooms actually need because they're still in one. The teachers you coach will trust your feedback because they watch you do the work yourself. The parents who tour your school will meet a Director who knows their child's room from the inside. What You Won't Have to Carry Alone Unlike most Director roles, you're not running the business by yourself.

Our central team handles:

Campus P&L, financial reporting, and budget management Marketing, brand, and lead generation Enrollment system administration and operational tooling Investor relations and strategic growth planning HR, payroll, and benefits administration That means your time goes to the work only a Director can do — building people, building culture, and protecting classroom quality. The central support is what makes the 50/50 dual role realistic. What We Offer $90,000-$110,000 annually, based on experience and credentials Health, dental, vision, and life insurance 401(k) with employer match Paid time off and holidays Professional development support, including conference and certification funding A real seat at the leadership table as TMS continues to grow A leadership partner (Site Supervisor) who shares the dual-role philosophy About The Modern Schoolhouse The Modern Schoolhouse is a premium early childhood education company operating five campuses across California — Eagle Rock, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Duarte, and San Mateo. Our San Mateo campus is licensed for up to 90 children across infant, toddler, and Pre-K classrooms. We use a whole-child curriculum and the Conscious Discipline behavior framework, with an emphasis on both academic excellence and social-emotional development. How to Apply Apply on Indeed or send your resume and a brief note about why this dual role appeals to you to . We respond to every qualified applicant within five business days.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Education:

Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

Director/Admin:

2 years (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

San Mateo, CA 94401 (Required)

Work Location:

In person