Preschool Lead Teacher

Position Overview:

We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and nurturing Lead Teacher to join our early childhood education team. The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a loving, safe, and Christ-centered classroom environment while leading the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate instruction. This role provides spiritual, emotional, and academic guidance to young children and offers leadership to classroom support staff. The ideal candidate is passionate about early childhood development, demonstrates strong classroom leadership, and is committed to fostering growth in a Christian educational setting. This position reports to the Preschool Director.

Essential Functions:

Complete and implement weekly lesson plans, curriculum, activities, and classroom schedule to ensure children are engaged.

Teach Christian values, Bible stories, and prayers in a way that is age-appropriate and integrates faith-based learning into daily activities.

Foster a positive, welcoming, and safe environment for children to learn and grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially while familiarizing yourself with each student’s personality, strengths and weaknesses.

Assign tasks and provide instructional guidance to Teacher Assistants and Substitute Teachers as needed.

Provide constant supervision during classroom activities, outdoor play, mealtime, and transitions to ensure children are safe and following classroom rules.

Manage classroom behavior, providing positive reinforcement, and helping children develop good social skills and respect for others.

Manage any administrative duties such as preparing materials, maintaining classroom organization, and keeping track of attendance or other required records.

Follow the guidance of the Curriculum Specialist and leadership to ensure consistency in the operation of the preschool classroom set up and curriculum.

Maintain a positive relationship with parents by providing updates on their child's progress and well-being.

Become familiar with opening and closing procedures and the classroom/bathroom cleaning policy as well as the location of all documents required to be posted and available upon inspections (DCF, FLOCS and ELC).

Willingness to perform any task assigned.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is a plus.

Must have completed the DCF Introductory Child Care Courses (45 hours+9 total)

Must complete 15 annual in-service hours

Previous experience in a preschool, daycare, or similar setting is preferred.

A positive attitude and a love for working with children.

Live a lifestyle that is conducive to that of a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).

Skills & Abilities:

Strong organizational and time-management skills

Ability to stay engaged, giving your full attention to the needs of the students.

Ability to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

Ability to arrive on time and consistent with attendance (have all personal items needed for the day with you before you arrive at your assigned area).

Ability to interact positively with preschool age children and all staff.

Ability to tolerate noise.

Ability to follow instructions, with a (patient, nurturing, and kind) Christlike attitude.

Ability to maintain spiritual accountability by attending church on a weekly basis.

Basic understanding of early childhood development and Christian education principles.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.

Ability to walk, kneel, sit on the floor with children and stand for long periods of time.