Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher

ABOUT THE POSITION :

We're seeking an energetic, motivated, and experienced Preschool Instructor (Lead Teacher) with a passion for supporting young children to design and lead a developmentally appropriate, interactive, culturally responsive, play- and project-based program for early learners. You'll create lesson plans, guide classroom activities, assess student progress, and partner with families to support each child's growth. You will collaborate and work closely with a partner teacher to create exceptional learning opportunities for the youngest students in our school, developing a foundation and love for lifelong learning!

This role also requires ensuring compliance with DHS standards and maintaining a safe, engaging environment that fosters curiosity, cooperation, and the core values of integrity, pursuit of excellence, wonder, and respect alongside HPA Mālama Kaiāuluʻs tenets of lōkahi, pilina, kuleana, and haʻina

The school year runs for 10 months, beginning in August and concluding at the end of May, with scheduled school breaks (summer, winter, and spring breaks) observed.

Hiring Timeline : This position will be hired in the fall or winter to join the team in preparation for the preschool's opening in August 2026 (the start of the 2026–27 school year). The role will officially begin in January of 2026 on a periodic basis, with regular check-ins, monthly meetings, and collaboration with key directors during the planning and preparation phase. This early involvement allows for meaningful input and a smoother transition. The position will shift into a full-time role beginning in August 2026 as the school year begins.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons and activities
• Manage daily classroom operations and ensure compliance with DHS regulations
• Conduct regular student observations, assessments, and progress reports
• Build strong relationships with families, providing regular and frequent updates and support strategies
• Collaborate with co-teacher, as well as other teachers at HPA, to support continuity and scaffolding in programming
• Mentor and guide assistant teachers and / or substitute teachers, fostering teamwork and collaboration
• Maintain a safe, clean, and very well-organized learning environment
• Integrate Hawaiian culture-based education into daily instruction
• Ensure smooth transitions between activities and manage classroom behavior positively

Minimum Qualifications - must meet one of the following :

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demands

Employment Term : School year / 10-month

Starting salary : $60,000 - $65,000 annually depending on experience.

ABOUT US :

The mission of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (HPA) is to provide exceptional learning opportunities in a diverse community honoring the traditions of Hawai'i. Our work is grounded in HPA's Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Pursuit of Excellence, and Wonder.

Located on Hawaii Island, one of the most beautiful places on the planet, HPA is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school that serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Our students live and study within rare landscapes, precious ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. We embrace these attributes to create unique signature programs, research partnerships, and growth opportunities to empower students with a sense of purpose and the real-world skills to explore and reinvent that purpose over a lifetime. HPA's goal is to be among the greenest of schools and to undertake a leadership role in sustainability education, where our campus serves as a living laboratory that sends engaged citizens and agents of change into the world.

We seek individuals who believe in our school mission and core values and who share our commitment to the children of Hawai'i Island as well as the dynamic young people who come to HPA from around the world.

HPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law.

HPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law status, arrest and court record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence, among other things, as provided for by State and Federal law.