Director of Early Childhood Education
Job Title:
Director of Early Childhood Education (SY26-27)
Date Posted:
3/30/2026
Job Function:
School Leadership
Grade Level:
Elementary/Middle School
Job Type:
Full-Time
Start Date:
2026-27
ABOUT MERIDIAN
Founded in 1999 by a group of dedicated volunteers, Meridian Public Charter School is one of Washington, DC’s oldest continuously operating public charter schools. Serving students in grades K–8, Meridian has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to educating the whole child through its ALL approach - Arts, Language, and Literacy.
Meridian operates across two campuses (Elementary and Middle) housed in historic buildings that reflect the school’s deep roots in the city. With our elementary campus located in the historic U Street Corridor of downtown Washington, DC, and our Middle School Campus located between the Petworth and Columbia Heights neighborhoods, Meridians Campuses are both located in vibrant neighborhoods known for its rich cultural history, diverse dining options, and bustling small business community.
WHAT NEW STAFF CAN EXPECT
Meridian is deeply committed to attracting and retaining talented educators and professionals who believe in equity, growth, and impact. New staff join a collaborative, mission-driven environment where expectations are clear, support is intentional, and leadership is encouraged at every level.
Staff can expect:
● Competitive pay and benefits within the DC public charter landscape
● Ongoing professional development and instructional coaching
● A culture rooted in curiosity, resilience, and leadership
● Thoughtful onboarding and systems designed to support effectiveness and
growth
A SCHOOL THAT STANDS OUT
What truly distinguishes Meridian among DC public charter schools is its ability to blend academic rigor, artistic expression, community connection, and educator investment within a historic and dynamic urban setting. Meridian is a place where students are known, staff are supported, families are valued, and learning is driven by purpose. Together, Meridian’s students, families, and staff form a vibrant learning community; committed to excellence, grounded in equity, and united by a shared belief in what’s possible when Arts, Language, and Literacy lead the way.
Join us as we continue to take Meridian from good to great! For additional information about Meridian visit mpcs-dc.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE) provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for our early childhood program. This role is instrumental in building and implementing a high-quality Dual Language Program designed to foster bilingualism, biliteracy, and multicultural competence in young learners. The Director will ensure excellence in curriculum, instruction, family engagement, and staff development while maintaining compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is highly preferred.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Development
- Lead the design, development, and implementation of a Dual Language Early Childhood Education program.
- Ensure curriculum alignment with state standards and best practices in early childhood and dual language instruction.
- Establish program goals, performance benchmarks, and continuous improvement systems.
- Foster a culturally responsive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
Instructional Excellence
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate teaching staff to ensure high-quality instruction.
- Provide professional development focused on dual language pedagogy and early literacy.
- Promote research-based instructional strategies that support language acquisition and cognitive development.
Staff Management
- Recruit, hire, and retain qualified early childhood educators, prioritizing bilingual candidates when possible.
- Build a collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and support staff growth.
Family and Community Engagement
- Develop strong partnerships with families, ensuring meaningful communication in both English and Spanish.
- Engage community stakeholders to support and promote the dual language program.
- Serve as a visible ambassador for the ECE program.
Operations and Compliance
- Oversee daily operations, budgeting, enrollment management, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure adherence to licensing standards, health and safety requirements, and accreditation criteria.
- Monitor program data and outcomes to inform decision-making.
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer or his/her/their designee.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will have the following education and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, with at least 2 years in a leadership role
- Demonstrated experience developing or leading a Dual Language or bilingual education program strongly preferred
- Bilingual in Spanish and English highly preferred
- Strong knowledge of early childhood development and language acquisition
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Experience with licensing, compliance, and accreditation processes
Core Competencies
- Deep commitment to equity and culturally responsive education
- Strategic thinker with the ability to implement systems and scale programs
- Collaborative leadership style with strong relationship-building skills
- Data-informed decision maker
Additional Skills
- Knowledge of the DC Charter Schools landscape
- Ability to read graphs, charts, and dashboards that report academic data
- Knowledge of the DC Charter Schools landscape
Salary & Benefits
Meridian offers competitive compensation and benefits aligned with DC charter sector standards. More information is on our website.
Salary range: $102,000 - $112,000.
Meridian staff members also have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership projects and other school-based initiatives.
How to Apply
Do you embody a love of learning? Do you believe in the importance of educating the whole child? Do you want to help Meridian continue to grow from good to great? Apply today!
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Meridian Public Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School’s EEO policy prohibits discrimination in
employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or any
other basis prohibited by applicable law. Meridian PCS prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and
will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for
employees with a disability. Under this policy, equal employment opportunity is required in recruitment, hiring, training and
development, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment
as required by applicable law.