Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher Position

The Lead Teacher creates a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children. This position leads classroom instruction, supervises Assistant Teachers and Childcare Workers, maintains compliance with licensing requirements, partners with families, and ensures high-quality care aligned with the mission of HOPEful Beginnings.

Position

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain a healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical environment for children.
• Keep the classroom clean, organized, safe, and stocked; ensure proper care of all equipment and materials.
• Follow all emergency, safety, and licensing procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, and activities.
• Establish individual and group learning goals that support children's growth.
• Provide family-style meal service and help foster healthy nutritional habits.
• Supervise assigned groups of children and ensure active, appropriate oversight at all times.
• Assign clear and appropriate tasks to classroom staff.
• Provide orientation and support for new classroom staff.
• Serve as a positive leader who communicates effectively and maintains strong teamwork.
• Maintain positive relationships with families and model professionalism at all times.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians, sharing updates, concerns, and celebrations.
• Compile documentation and complete quarterly checkpoints in accordance with Teaching Strategies Gold.

Qualifications:

• Agreement with HOPE Church values and the mission of HOPEful Beginnings to provide a developmentally appropriate Christian environment where children are encouraged to let God love them, love Him and return, and love others in Jesus' name.
• Experience in childcare supervision, classroom leadership, or departmental management.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a warm, welcoming presence.
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Must have or be prepared to acquire a Bachelor's degree with at least 8 semester (or 12 quarter) hours in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development OR Teaching certificate in Elementary Education or Kindergarten endorsement OR Associate degree in ECE or Child Development OR Associate degree in another field and one year of experience in a preschool or similar setting and either: 8 semester (or 12 quarter) hours in ECE/Child Development, or 120 hours of department-approved ECE training OR Current Child Development Associate (CDA) or similar credential OR Montessori certification.

HOPEFUL BEGINNINGS STAFF TEAM EXPECTATIONS:

• Complete all required trainings within appropriate timeframe.
• Function as part of a team; working to maintain and develop relationships within the staff, to exercise care in disagreements, and to be supportive of one another on the staff team. Any concerns should be communicated in a timely and Biblical manner.
• Available on some evenings for various meetings.
• Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
• Maintain confidentiality in all personal, business, and financial matters.