Shift: Part-time 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM 4 days a week (Additional hours available as an Assistant Teacher in a classroom)

Do you want to work at a school where a child's natural curiosity and enthusiasm are fostered through imaginative play, creative projects and academic activities that engage and stimulate children's learning? Merritt Academy is a top private elementary school and early childhood program in Northern Virginia serving children from ages infants to 8th Grade. Our commitment is to serve families, to provide exceptional care and an exciting learning environment for each child, and to care and nurture our amazing team.

Merritt Academy is looking for professionals who are passionate about teaching and working with children and are excited about making a difference in their lives. Our Preschool Creative Movement Instructor exhibits enthusiasm, a caring attitude and a love of learning. Our Preschool Creative Movement Instructor creates developmentally appropriate creative movement curricula in a loving and safe environment.   The Preschool Creative Movement Instructor will prepare and instruct classes for Toddlers thru 3 year old students.  The Preschool Creative Movement Instructor will be responsible for managing the classroom.  Preschool Creative Movement Instructor is responsible for performing all professional tasks in a manner that exemplifies school standards of courtesy and values.  

In order to be considered for this position, you must meet the following requirements, including:

• A love for children and a strong desire to make a difference every day.
• High school diploma required.  Associates or Bachelors coursework or a degree in early childhood education, dance, physical education, music, or a related field preferred.
• Experience teaching or working with preschool-age children, preferably in a classroom, dance, music, recreation, or movement program.
• Training or demonstrated skills in creative movement, dance, physical education, or a related field.
• Understanding of early childhood development and age-appropriate expectations for attention, coordination, and participation.
• Ability to plan engaging lessons using music, rhythm, storytelling, imaginative play, and movement to develop balance, coordination, body awareness, and creativity.
• Positive classroom management skills, including the ability to give simple directions, guide transitions, and encourage participation without pressure.
• Must be physically able to lift and carry a minimum of 45 pounds, engage in physical activity with children, and work indoors or outdoors.
• Must be able to constantly move and interact with the children to provide stimulation and develop relationships.
• Must be able to alternate often between sitting and standing.
• Must be able to maintain sight and sound of the children at all times.
• CPR and First Aid certified or willingness to obtain.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Pass pre-employment screenings and trainings as required.

We seek candidates who are flexible and willing to take any assigned tasks and to work with various age groups. We also seek candidates who exhibit professionalism, pride in work, initiative, a strong work ethic and who support parents as partners in education.

Our team makes the difference and are essential to our success as a school! We care about our team and provide generous benefits which include supporting each teacher's passion for learning by providing a tuition reimbursement program as well as many professional development training opportunities. Additional great benefits include:

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental and vision insurance options for eligible employees
• Paid time off 
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Discounted tuition rate for child(ren) attending any J127 Education Foundation school

To learn more about how Merritt Academy supports and invests in our team go to our website at https://www.merrittacademy.org/careers/