Preschool Head Teacher (Montclair)

Job Title: Preschool Head Teacher
Department: Montclair Campus, L’Alliance Preschool
Reports to: Montclair Campus & Preschool Executive Director
Salary: $60,000.00-$70,000.00
Designation: Exempt, Full-Time
Work Hours : 8:00am-3:00pm
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Start Date: August 21, 2026

To spread joie de vivre through language, culture, and connection!

Attracting over 150,000 visitors annually, L’Alliance New York is the city’s premier center for French language and francophone arts and cultures. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, L’Alliance New York’s mission is to provide our members and students with engaging French language classes and audacious multi-disciplinary programming that celebrates the diversity of francophone cultures and creativity around the world.

L’Alliance New York is internationally known for offering the largest selection of fully-immersive French language courses for students aged one to 101, and for its renowned cultural programming including the annual Bastille Day celebration that takes place on New York's famed Madison Avenue, attracting over 50,000 visitors each year; the Crossing The Line arts and performance festival that engages NYC cultural institutions in bringing dynamic international artists to audiences; Animation First, the biggest animation festival in the U.S; and the Comic Arts Fest, celebrating the intersection of American and francophone comic arts.

About the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York

The Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York offers French language programs for all ages, from toddlers to adults, and for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners, along with a vibrant range of cultural and community programs. For children, we offer both French as a foreign language and dedicated pathways for native French speakers.

In September 2024, the campus expanded to include the second location of L’Alliance Preschool, a 100% French immersion program fully licensed by the State of New Jersey. L’Alliance Preschool is a French-immersion program for toddlers ages 2 ½ to 5 located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and Montclair, New Jersey. Part of L’Alliance New York, it is open to all children regardless of their prior exposure to the French language.

Our primary goal is to spark curiosity and a love of learning in young children, while encouraging them to explore the world around them. Delivered entirely in French, our program provides children with a strong foundation in the language from an early age, while ensuring a smooth transition into Kindergarten, whether or not families choose to continue with an education in French.

The preschool serves children ages 2½ to 5 across two classrooms (ages 2½–3½ and 3½–5), each led by a Head Teacher and supported by an Assistant Teacher.

Position Overview

The Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York is seeking a full-time Preschool Head Teacher for L’Alliance Preschool in Montclair, a French immersion program for children ages 2.5 to 5. The Head Teacher will be responsible for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities aligned with the French Ministry of Education curriculum for maternelle , while supporting each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster enthusiasm and active participation in a 100% French immersion environment.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of early childhood developmental milestones and apply this knowledge to daily practice.
• Promote children’s growth across all key domains, including social-emotional, language, cognitive, and physical development.
• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate and engaging curriculum aligned with the French Ministry of Education, ensuring meaningful and coherent learning experiences.
• Provide a wide range of learning opportunities through individual, small-group, and whole-group activities, both indoors and outdoors.
• Observe and assess each child’s progress regularly, and adapt instruction to meet individual needs.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families by listening and responding to questions and concerns in a thoughtful and constructive manner.
• Participate in weekly team meetings and contribute to a collaborative teaching environment.
• Establish and maintain positive classroom dynamics using effective and age-appropriate behavior management strategies.
• Pursue ongoing professional development in early childhood education and French immersion pedagogy.
• Ensure children’s health and safety at all times through proactive supervision, hazard prevention, and appropriate responses to incidents.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, sharing information and contributing to a positive and supportive team culture.
• Uphold and actively support L’Alliance Preschool’s mission, values, and policies.
• Integrate thoughtful and age-appropriate use of technology to enhance learning experiences.

The job description above is not an exhaustive list of duties. The person in this role will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by the role and the overall business objectives of L’Alliance New York.

Who You Are
This role may be a great fit if you are:

• A nurturing and patient educator who creates a warm, supportive environment for young children.
• Creative and energetic, with the ability to engage and inspire through play and exploration.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to respond thoughtfully to the needs of each child and the classroom.
• Observant and attentive, with a strong understanding of children’s development and behavior.
• A collaborative team player who values communication and contributes positively to a shared mission.

Experience & Qualifications

• Be a French native speaker or equivalent level.
• Be comfortable in English (B-2 level).
• Have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. French teaching credentials (such as MEEF 1er degré or CRPE), or equivalent international qualifications, are a plus.
• Have at least two years of experience in a preschool setting, of which at least one year in a French immersion program.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. for any employer.
• NJ Early Childhood Teaching Certification a plus.

Why Join Us
At L’Alliance New York, you’ll be part of a supportive, mission-driven organization dedicated to spreading joie de vivre through language and culture.

We offer:

• Generous vacation package, personal days and sick days.
• Excellent working environment.
• Health Care, Dental, & Vision Plan with shared employee-employer contributions.
• 403(b) Savings Plan (L’Alliance New York is matching up to 5% after 2 years).
• Complimentary L’Alliance New York Membership and Discounts.
• Pre-tax benefits, including Commuter Benefit Plan (CBP) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

TO APPLY : Please submit a resume, a cover letter and references.

Employment at L’Alliance New York is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the organization may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please reach out via the same email address.

L’Alliance New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, citizenship status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.