The Atlanta Speech School

Classroom Teacher – Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool

Start Date:  July 2026

The Atlanta Speech School provides an unmatched opportunity to learn from both peers and experts in the field, and to contribute to the School’s growing body of knowledge. Beyond seeking proficiency, we work to construct a Deep Reading Brain for each child at the School and, through our Rollins Center for Language & Literacy, every child beyond the school. Deep reading requires learning to make connections between what we read to what we think, feel, and do. Through deep reading, children develop empathy, hone critical thinking, and go on to make the greatest possible difference in the lives of others.

• We believe in connection over compliance. Rather than silencing children, we teach them to listen - and to think, to question, and to solve. 
• Our staff works together to know and serve each child from within an intentional learning ecosystem that is as joyful as it is rigorous. 
• Our practices are grounded in structured literacy and built on the sciences of healthy brain development, language acquisition, and the construction of the Deep Reading Brain.? This work is intentionally centered around critical thinking, empathy, problem solving and the development of executive functions.

We are committed to providing a community through which all our students, families, and staff show up safely as themselves and for each other. As stewards of this environment, it is our responsibility to ensure safety extends to every person, inclusive of all races /ethnicities, religions, genders, family structures, sexual orientations, and any other aspect of their identity. 

The School has never turned away a child in need of services based on their family’s financial circumstances. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool of the Atlanta Speech School has an opening for a classroom teacher in our Kenan Preschool program. The Kenan Preschool is a community preschool program that serves typically developing children, two to five years of age. An emphasis on research-based practices in the construction of the reading brain and for language and early literacy development is integrated throughout the curriculum to prepare children with a solid foundation for learning. A deep understanding of the science behind the development of the deep reading brain is essential to the work in Kenan. The Kenan Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and is licensed by Bright from the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The classroom teacher is responsible for relying on assessment to inform the creation and delivery of high-quality differentiated educational programming for each child in the class.  The lead teacher works collaboratively with teaching team members, specialists and administration. All teachers are expected to have thorough knowledge and understanding of all child- developmental domains including cognitive, language, social/emotional, and motor domains.  Instructional planning, classroom organization and management techniques are planned to meet the specific needs of the students in the class.  In addition, teachers are expected to have effective teaching skills, an analytical approach to learner differences, differentiate instruction and assume responsibility for monitoring and ensuring progress. Classroom teachers are expected to consistently perform high quality work with little supervision, work in an efficient manner to effectively manage workload demands and demonstrate an ability and willingness to adapt creatively to varying situations. Knowledge and understanding of research-based practices for language and early literacy instruction are required and additional professional learning opportunities are provided. A growth mindset is critical.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE JOB:

• Plan and implement research-based practices for language and early literacy instruction for all thematic units of study rooted in comprehensive assessment of student learning.
• Maintain a classroom environment that provides optimum support for language and literacy development
• Provide direct instruction, guided practice, and independent activities based on a deep understanding of each child as a learner and a friend
• Foster regular, open, interactive communication with parents through conferences, report writing, parent education meetings, and newsletters
• Collaborate with teaching teams, specialists, and administration to implement best practices in the classroom

• Provide positive guidance and classroom management strategies that are responsive to children’s needs to promote positive behavior, self-regulation, and self-reliance in children
• Provide positive teacher-child interactions: warm relationships, positive affect, encouraging statements, and respect for children  

SALARY: Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience.

BENEFITS:

Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. This 190-day, full-time school position offers a generous benefit package including health/dental/life/vision and long-term disability insurance; the School subsidizes health insurance premiums of staff and families. Other benefits include Flexible Spending Account; 403(b) Plan; cost reduction of some Atlanta Speech School services; complimentary meals during work hours; and accrued sick leave.

TO APPLY: Please submit all of the following documents to ensure that your information is considered: cover letter, resume, and written submission: Please describe how your particular skills, talents, and/or expertise could be beneficial to the Kenan Preschool Program. (Please limit response to 500 words).

 Email: hr@atlantaspeechschool.org

Subject line: Classroom Teacher – Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool

Atlanta Speech School

Founded over 85 years ago, the Atlanta Speech School has evolved into four school divisions, four clinical programs, Rollins Center for Language & Literacy professional development program and Rollins’ free online Cox Campus. Across all our programs we are driven to ensure that each child can find their voice. The School has never turned away a child in need of our specialized services based on their family’s financial circumstances.

We are the educational equivalent of a teaching hospital. With our vision of literacy and justice for all, we lead equity-based change by extending our work beyond our campus. What occurs in the classroom for each child at the Atlanta Speech School is made available to every teacher by way of our free online professional learning platform, Cox Campus. Cox Campus’ membership is composed of more than 270,000 educators, leaders, healthcare professionals and parents representing all fifty states and 100 countries.? 

The School, across all its programs, including the Kenan Preschool, attracts a staff of the most gifted and committed teaching professionals who apply the research of the nation’s leading experts on early healthy brain development, language acquisition and Deep Reading Brain.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Reading, Speech-Language Pathology, Early Childhood Special Education, or other related fields from an accredited university

• Current Georgia clear/renewable teaching certificate or eligible for certification
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience working in an early childhood setting or similar experience demonstrating knowledge of early childhood development and age-appropriate activities

• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and language and early literacy instruction
• Diligence in following policies and procedures regarding children’s supervision and safety
• Excellent organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a teaching team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to provide an appropriate speech and language model for children
• A commitment to ongoing professional development is required. Must attend language and early literacy training and other required training as specified by the program director.
• Physical stamina required to bend, stand, lift up to 40 pounds, work with children on the floor, work outdoors in a variety of temperatures, and mobility to ensure the supervision and safety of children