Pre-K3 Lead Teacher (2026-2027)

Job Description

Pre-K3 Lead Teacher (Full-Time, Permanent Position)
Royal Palm Academy - Naples, Florida
School year: 2026-2027
Salary range starting at $48,000-$58,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

Royal Palm Academy, a joyful and thriving independent Catholic PK-8 school in North Naples, Florida, is seeking a full-time Pre-K3 Lead Teacher to open a new full-day Pre-K3 class section for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a new position and a permanent addition to our faculty.

Royal Palm Academy partners with families to provide an education of rich academics with Catholic formation. We teach the mind, educate the heart, and form the character of tomorrow's leaders. Our early childhood program is rooted in joy, structure, warmth, and high expectations for both children and adults.

This position is designed for a teacher who loves young children, understands early childhood development, and sees teaching as both a profession and a vocation. The Pre-K3 Lead Teacher plays a foundational role in shaping a child's first experience of school, learning, faith, and community.

This role is well-suited for an educator who is nurturing, organized, reflective, and eager to work within a collaborative, mission-driven school culture.

Position Overview
The Pre-K3 Lead Teacher is responsible for the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development of three-year-old students in a full-day classroom setting. The teacher creates a warm, structured, and joyful classroom environment where children grow in independence, language, early literacy and numeracy readiness, motor development, social-emotional development, and faith.

The Pre-K3 Lead Teacher works closely with the Director of Early Childhood, division leadership, and fellow early childhood faculty. This is a full-time, on-campus teaching position that follows the academic calendar.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Teaching and Student Development
• Create a warm, structured, and joyful classroom environment that supports young children's growth, security, and independence.
• Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support early language, pre-literacy, numeracy readiness, fine and gross motor development, social skills, and curiosity.
• Foster strong classroom routines and age-appropriate behavioral expectations through consistency, patience, and clear guidance.
• Support students' social and emotional development with attentiveness, warmth, and sound early childhood practice.
• Observe, assess, and document student growth and development through teacher observation and age-appropriate formative tools.
• Help students build positive habits, classroom readiness, and a love of school.

Catholic Identity and Mission
• Teach and act in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Integrate prayer, virtue, and Catholic values into the daily life of the classroom in developmentally appropriate ways.
• Support the Catholic identity of the school through example, prayer, and participation in the life of the community.
• Embrace and uphold the mission and philosophy of Royal Palm Academy.

Family Partnership and Communication
• Communicate professionally, warmly, and proactively with parents and caregivers.
• Partner closely with families to support each child's growth, adjustment, and development.
• Provide timely updates and feedback appropriate to the Pre-K level.
• Provide excellent and responsive customer service to families.

Professional Collaboration and Responsibilities
• Collaborate closely with teaching assistants, early childhood colleagues, specialists, and division leadership.
• Participate fully in faculty meetings, professional development, and school events.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation as required.
• Contribute positively to a collegial, mission-driven faculty culture grounded in professionalism and trust.

Professional Expectations
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
• A genuine love for young children and early childhood education.
• Alignment with the Catholic mission and values of Royal Palm Academy.
• Strong classroom management appropriate for three-year-old students.
• Professional reliability, organization, and follow-through.
• Warmth, patience, joy, and emotional maturity.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• A growth mindset and openness to coaching and collaboration.
• Pride in their work and care for the details that shape a child's experience.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Meaningful lead classroom teaching experience at the Pre-K or early childhood level strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice for three-year-old students.
• Proficiency with technology tools including Microsoft Office and student information systems.
• Commitment to providing excellent service and support to students and families.

Preferred Qualifications
• Practicing Catholic in good standing and comfortable supporting Catholic formation in the classroom.
• Experience in a Catholic school or independent school setting.
• Experience with three-year-old students in an academic Pre-K environment.

Experience limited to daycare-only settings, babysitting, or in-home childcare will not be considered sufficient in place of meaningful classroom teaching experience.

Physical and Other Demands
• Ability to actively lead instruction in an early childhood classroom environment.
• Ability to supervise and support young children indoors and outdoors, including recess, playground time, restroom routines, and movement-based activities.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and support classroom setup and daily student needs.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, composure, and clear communication in a joyful, fast-paced environment.

Position Details
• Full-time, permanent faculty position
• Full-day Pre-K3 classroom
• School-year position following the academic calendar
• Salary range: $48,000-$58,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Competitive benefits package
• On-campus position in Naples, Florida
• Reports to the Director of Early Childhood

To Apply
Please submit a Resume or CV in Adobe PDF format to Michael Bussman, Head of School, at mbussman@royalpalmacademy.org.

Applicants should include a brief cover letter or introduction explaining their interest in Royal Palm Academy and in teaching Pre-K3.

Royal Palm Academy is building a joyful, high-performing, and mission-driven faculty. We are seeking educators who love children, value collaboration, and want to help shape a world-class Catholic school community from the earliest years.

About the Employer

Royal Palm Academy is an independent, Catholic, pre-kindergarten to eighth grade school in Naples, Florida. Our mission is to partner with families to provide an education of rich academics with Catholic formation. Royal Palm Academy teaches the mind, educates the heart, and forms the character of tomorrow's leaders. This mission is pursued through the development of the whole person, integral formation, which encompasses the commitment to teach, to educate, and to form our students.