Substitute Lead Teacher

Founded in 1846 to care for the children of sailors in the Port of New York, Seamen's Society for Children and Families ('Seamen’s Society') was one of the first U.S. organizations to care for abandoned children in family settings rather than institutions. Today, Seamen's Society is a comprehensive $28 million nonprofit that offers foster care and adoption services, mental and behavioral health care services, prevention/family stabilization services, domestic violence intervention services, a health home care management program, education financial support, a childcare center, and a youth tutoring program.

The agency's 200+ professionals serve over 1,250 children and over 500 families in New York City. Programs are conducted in a trauma‑informed, caring manner that embraces diversity.

Substitute Lead Teacher

Child Care Center

Education Director

95 Central Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301 (on-site)

$31.11 per hour

Per diem

The Substitute Lead Teacher is responsible for general administrative duties as assigned, supervision of subordinate staff, and planning, preparing, and implementing daily activities. The teacher monitors children’s progress, maintains related records, and promotes the center’s philosophy and educational objectives.

• Supervise the planning and execution of a program to provide day care for children, taking into account the educational, social, developmental, and health needs of the group and each individual child.
• Ensure equipment and materials are accessible and in good condition to encourage maximum constructive use.
• Report any damaged or hazardous equipment to the director for necessary action.
• Plan and supervise an appropriate arrangement of classroom furniture to promote optimal program functioning.
• Coordinate overall space planning for shared center program use.
• Plan the use of community resources to enrich educational content.
• Develop a program of sound educational goals appropriate to the age and developmental level to maximize future educational opportunities.

• Share knowledge of the agency and community with classroom associates.
• Facilitate regular individual and group conferences based on daily observation of associate performance to promote development and skill application.
• Assist in the annual evaluation of classroom associate performance with the director.
• Ensure equitable sharing among all classroom personnel regarding all program areas.

• Develop a plan to share information about children and program with parents, teachers, and associates.
• Attend and participate in group parent meetings.
• Respect the confidentiality of all information about parents and children.

• Maintain good working relationships and objective attitudes with other staff members.

• Plan and conduct regular group conferences with classroom associates, encouraging attendance and participation in professional development workshops.

• Discuss own professional performance objectively in scheduled supervisory conferences with the director, using these as a source of information and guidance.

• Write, keep, use, and share records with appropriate staff to support effective administration, program development, and individual child work.

• Assume responsibility for overall administrative functions in the director’s absence.

• Other related duties, as assigned, consistent with the above.

• Support professional growth of colleagues by sharing materials, information, and providing helpful feedback.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Strong teaching abilities.
• Adaptable.

• At least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and valid certification by the State Education Department.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.