Lead Teacher

SCHEDULE:

Center is open 7:00am - 6:00pm. Working kinder camp through the summer.

Help little learners grow, explore, and belong.

Do you believe the best learning happens through play, curiosity, and connection? Do you enjoy turning everyday moments into learning adventures? If so, we’d love to meet you.

At the YMCA, our early childhood educators do more than teach—they spark confidence, nurture kindness, and help children discover the joy of learning. As a Lead Teacher, you’ll guide a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them.

What You’ll DoCreate a warm, engaging classroom where every child feels valued and included

Plan fun, developmentally appropriate activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and growth

Lead and mentor assistant teachers to create a strong, supportive classroom team Build meaningful relationships with families through communication and partnership

Support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development

Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing learning environment

What Makes You a Great Fit You believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated

You bring energy, creativity, and patience to the classroom

You enjoy collaborating with other educators and supporting their growth

You understand that play is powerful learning

Why You'll Love Working Here Make a real difference in children’s lives every dayWork with a team that lives the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility

Opportunities for professional development and growth

A supportive community focused on youth development

POSITION SUMMARY The Lead Teacher working as part of the Y Academy Early Childhood Team, will deliver professional customer service and relationship building skills to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The Lead Teacher will work in a co-teaching environment and will be responsible for implementing educational curriculum in our play-based learning environment.

OUR PATHFor 150 years, the YMCA of Metro Denver has been more than a place - it is a movement that lifts spirit, mind and body for all. Our direction is clear:
Elevate Lives and Rise Together. Grounded by our mission and strengthened by the global YMCA movement we will elevate our people, purpose, partnerships and promise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Create an environment of play-based learning is foundational, focused on the whole child

Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children

Nurture physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and development of each child

Plan, implement curriculum according to appropriate practices and Reggo-Emilio approach

Plan to participate in family friendly parent teacher conferences and engagement programs

Maintain a cheerful, nurturing healthy, safe and clean classroom environment

Classroom is inviting and materials are readily available to children

Share individual child’s accomplishments, send photos/videos timely intervals to parents thru approved communication channels

Assess child’s developmental milestones through the Teaching Strategies Gold Collaboratively lead a team to support children’s growth and success in the classroom

Assist in planning, preparing professional development for early childhood professionals

Create a shared vision, center wide, for a team-teaching environment

Have a deep understanding and connection with YMCA programs and offerings

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger to handle or feel objects, tools, controls, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and focus

Physical demands are required in order to teach, care for, and provide for overall safety of children for which this position is responsible

YMCA CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & RISK MANAGEMENT The YMCA is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable individuals. As part of our commitment to child abuse prevention and Praesidium accreditation standards, all employees are required to comply with YMCA abuse…